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Sayers: Bears' Hester belongs in Hall of Fame
Sayers: Bears' Hester belongs in Hall of Fame
Former Bears Hall of Fame halfback and kick returner Gale Sayers feels Devin Hester already is worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Hester, in his fifth season with the Bears, already owns the NFL record for combined punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns with 14 (10 punts and four kickoffs).
"Devin Hester deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, no question about it. He has a chance to get there. And more than likely, he probably will," Sayers told the Tribune on Tuesday via phone from Lawrence, Kan., where he starred in the early '60s at the University of Kansas.
Sayers, whose NFL career was cut short after six seasons because of knee injuries, was an elusive running back from scrimmage, and also returned kickoffs and punts with abandon. Sayers averaged 30.56 yards on 91 kick returns during his career (1965-71) for 6 TDs and an all-time best touchdown-per-return ratio of .0659 percent. Hester has returned 262 kicks for his 14 TDs (.0534).
"I think I was probably the first (Hall of Fame) running back to return punts and kickoffs and run from the line of scrimmage," said Sayers, who was the Hall's youngest-ever inductee at the age of 34 in 1977. "I had a good career rushing with the football, too, and scoring touchdowns (22 as a rookie). (Hester) is only doing kick returns (although he is also a wide receiver) and he is having a hell of a career. No doubt, he will probably go into the Hall of Fame."
Sayers feels the Pro Football Hall of Fame should expand its scope to include more specialists who have been at the top of their profession. Currently, Jan Stenerud is the only pure kicker in the Hall of Fame. And previous kick return stars such as Brian Mitchell and Billy "White Shoes" Johnson are not included.
"To me, Ray Guy should be in the Hall of Fame," Sayers said. "I mean, he killed the ball. He was unbelievable. And he played for a number of years (1973-86 as a seven-time Pro Bowler) and it seemed like every year (with a career average of 42.4) he led the league in punting."
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sayers with a positive comment about the bears? he must be off his rocker.
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Originally Posted by
nerrad 
sayers with a positive comment about the bears? he must be off his rocker.
yeah but don't worry, he still found a way to hype himself more and take a shot at hester : )
I think I was probably the first (Hall of Fame) running back to return punts and kickoffs and run from the line of scrimmage," said Sayers, who was the Hall's youngest-ever inductee at the age of 34 in 1977. "I had a good career rushing with the football, too, and scoring touchdowns (22 as a rookie). (Hester) is only doing kick returns (although he is also a wide receiver) and he is having a hell of a career. No doubt, he will probably go into the Hall of Fame."
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Originally Posted by
dabears54 yeah but don't worry, he still found a way to hype himself more and take a shot at hester : )
I think I was probably the first (Hall of Fame) running back to return punts and kickoffs and run from the line of scrimmage," said Sayers, who was the Hall's youngest-ever inductee at the age of 34 in 1977. "I had a good career rushing with the football, too, and scoring touchdowns (22 as a rookie). (Hester) is only doing kick returns (although he is also a wide receiver) and he is having a hell of a career. No doubt, he will probably go into the Hall of Fame."
ha yea I read that yesterday. kinda funny. But he makes a great point about Hester. he seriously IS the best ever at his position and when its all said an done, he could have around 20+ return touchdowns. if your the best at your position, that player should be in. the thing hester has going for him, thus far in his career, who doesnt like him? hes a complete class act and a genuinely good guy.
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As much as I would like to see Hester get in, I don't see it happening (b/c of lack of numbers at WR) unless some type of special teams precedent is set like Ray Guy getting in years before him.
Never know though, DH continues to break records like his 17.1 punt return average this year.
None of my posts on this forum have been aided by the use of deer-antler spray...
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Only after Richard Dent goes into the HOF first.
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I hate the fact taht it's even a discussion. The guy plays a position that is part of the game, and is the best that there ever has been at that position, but people act like that position isn't worthy of being in the hall of fame. Screw that.
It's the equivelant of saying an O-Linemen, or a punter, or a placekicker shouldnt' get in because his position isn't important enough. Bleh, whatever....
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Originally Posted by
blinddeafmute I hate the fact taht it's even a discussion. The guy plays a position that is part of the game, and is the best that there ever has been at that position, but people act like that position isn't worthy of being in the hall of fame. Screw that.
It's the equivelant of saying an O-Linemen, or a punter, or a placekicker shouldnt' get in because his position isn't important enough. Bleh, whatever....
Yeah but Ray Guy is far and away the best punter to ever play the game, and he's still not in the HOF.
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Originally Posted by
JustWinBaby Yeah but Ray Guy is far and away the best punter to ever play the game, and he's still not in the HOF.
Yep, and stuff like that drives me crazy. Punting is a very important part of the game, and so is returning them. How can the BEST EVER not get into the hall of fame? It boggles my mind.
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Hester will get in, but he has to keep doing it for another year or two. Ray Guy should be in also; Punters and FG kickers are still a huge aspect of the game, whether "Real Football players" like it or not.
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