Devin Hester; A Celebration of Greatness...................

**soulman** · 06-16-2012, 11:27 PM

Devin Hester: A Celebration Of Greatness

by DaveGilbertNFL on Jun 15, 2012 9:00 AM CDT in Notes

Jonathan Daniel - Getty Images

With the recent news that Devin Hester will still be the main man returning kickoffs for the Bears, what better time to appreciate the greatness that is No.23.

In Hester, the Bears possess one of the best special teams returners in the history of the NFL. I'll never forget jumping up and down like a crazy person as Hester took the ball to the house against the Colts in the Super bowl. Or how about that one where he returned that field goal that fell short? Absolutely awesome.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub said:

"[Hester's] still our No. 1 kickoff returner," Toub said. "So when we need a big one Devin is going to be in there."

To put it mildly, Devin Hester can change games. The only real blip in his return game was the 2008 and 2009 seasons, where he had no touchdown returns. But let's now take a look at some of the records that Hester holds, after just seven years in the league.

He has the highest career average on punt returns with 12.96 yards per attempt. He shares the record for most punt returns for a touchdown in a season with four. He also shares the record for most kickoff returns for a TD in a game with 2. For combined career kickoff/punt returns for a TD, Hester is the sole record holder with 17, which is amazing considering he should add to that. Perhaps a record that will never be broken. He has the record for the most combined returns for a TD in a season with 6, and the most season touchdown returns for a rookie with 5.

That is why Devin Hester belongs in the hall of fame. It's as simple as that. It is phenomenal for a current player to hold that many records, and the Bears should constantly be thanking their lucky stars that he plays for the Bears, and not against them.

For several years, the Bears have tried to mold Hester into a better wide receiver, but it hasn't ever quite worked out. While he has improved, and is dangerous with the ball in his hands, he has never really taken that step up to the next level. Might we see a difference this year in Hester's role as a wide out.There has been talk of special packages designed for Hester, and I think this a good thing. His outstanding talent needs to be utilized in a way that suits him, and in a way that lets him do the most damage.

I am sure some teams will still kick the ball away from Hester. But let's hope that when he does get the chance to take one back, he shows us all his amazing ability, and once again demonstrates why he's the best return man in the business.

Feel free to link to some videos of Hester's returns in the comments.

There are no words that need to be said:

**soulman** · 06-16-2012, 11:48 PM

There never seem to be enough good words to describe what Devin Hester has meant to the Bears and to the NFL in general. I don't believe any player has generated his kind of excitement with his ability to take it to the house on any given KOR or PR since the days of Gale Sayers. As an open field runner he's certainly in that class.

Sometimes I think we forget this every year about this time when we hear how he's gonna be a difference maker at WR this year for sure. Six years of hearing that followed by six years of failures to do so would tend to make anyone skeptical. But maybe we should stop expecting so much and look at what we have in the way of an impact player in Devin Hester. As an all around threat he's pretty incredible.

The NFL will deny it of course but moving kickoffs up should be called "The Devin Hester Rule" because to most Bears fans it already referred to as that. That much was clear when it was enacted and it's still crystal clear today. When Lord Roger Goodell and his archangels from the rules committee stood up and declared "Thou Shalt Not Have A Touchdown Machine Returning Kickoffs In This League". "Tis Unfair To The Have Nots Among NFL Teams Who Don't Have One". What I like about the outcome of this is that Toub said "fuck it" and let Hester bring them out from 8 yards deep anyway and he still scored a TD on a return last year.

Despite all of this and the numerous records he's set he remains a great team player and a very humble guy. And like the article says; "the Bears should thank their lucky stars he's playing for them rather than against them". Kudos top you Devin Hester. May you remain a Bear until the day you retire.

**omc1969** · 06-17-2012, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by soulman

There never seem to be enough good words to describe what Devin Hester has meant to the Bears and to the NFL in general. I don't believe any player has generated his kind of excitement with his ability to take it to the house on any given KOR or PR since the days of Gale Sayers. As an open field runner he's certainly in that class.

Sometimes I think we forget this every year about this time when we hear how he's gonna be a difference maker at WR this year for sure. Six years of hearing that followed by six years of failures to do so would tend to make anyone skeptical. But maybe we should stop expecting so much and look at what we have in the way of an impact player in Devin Hester. As an all around threat he's pretty incredible.

The NFL will deny it of course but moving kickoffs up should be called "The Devin Hester Rule" because to most Bears fans it already referred to as that. That much was clear when it was enacted and it's still crystal clear today. When Lord Roger Goodell and his archangels from the rules committee stood up and declared "Thou Shalt Not Have A Touchdown Machine Returning Kickoffs In This League". "Tis Unfair To The Have Nots Among NFL Teams Who Don't Have One". What I like about the outcome of this is that Toub said "fuck it" and let Hester bring them out from 8 yards deep anyway and he still scored a TD on a return last year.

Despite all of this and the numerous records he's set he remains a great team player and a very humble guy. And like the article says; "the Bears should thank their lucky stars he's playing for them rather than against them". Kudos top you Devin Hester. May you remain a Bear until the day you retire.

Well put Soul. The man is a game changer and that's something the league won't be able to stop no matter how hard they try !

**XaosGorilla** · 06-17-2012, 04:54 PM

.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt8FU...feature=g-vrec..

Field goal attempt (missed) and returned for a TD. Still my favorite, and we'll probably still be watching that one years from now. That play is just that rare.

**The Benjamin** · 06-17-2012, 04:58 PM

This is all you need if you want to watch his greatness

http://www.dabears.com/showthread.ph...ther-videos%29

**BigBadPapaBear** · 06-17-2012, 05:14 PM

I never get tired of watching the Hester return videos. Truly the most electrifying return man in the history of the game. Never thought I'd see anyone more exciting than Deion running back kicks.

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