by Jordan Long
NFL training camps are opening this week. The Atlanta Falcons made a surprise cut ahead of their first practice on Thursday. They let go of kick returner Devin Hester. Could this be the end of Hester in the NFL?
Devin Hester was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second-round of the 2006 NFL draft. Hester made his name with the Bears as the return man on both kick-offs and punt returns. That year, Hester scored five touchdowns on special teams, three on punts and two on kickoffs. In 2007 the Bears tried to make him a wide receiver. He caught 20 passes for 299 yards with two touchdowns. Hester was still the return man for the Bears. He had his best season with four touchdown returns on punts and added two on the kickoffs.
The NFL was starting to take note and not give this guy a chance to catch the football on special teams. They knew anytime they would give him the football, he was off to the races. Even if Hester didn’t score a touchdown, his offense would often have decent field position. Punters started to kick the ball way out of bounds so that Hester couldn’t touch it.
Hester wouldn’t reach the end zone on special teams again until 2010 when he added 3 punts for touchdowns. He added 2 more in 2011 and one in 2013. In the 2014 offseason, Hester agreed to a three-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. They were hoping they would have the same player the Bears had. In two years with the Falcons, Hester only had one touchdown and it came on a punt return.
If this is the end for Devin Hester, it’s been an outstanding career. Not many NFL athletes make it on special teams. Hester is number one all-time in punt returns for touchdowns with 14, four more then Eric Metcalf who is second on the list. Hester also added 255 receptions for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns on offense.
I believe it’s time for Hester to walk away from the game of football. He is not the same return man as years past. Hester’s age has caught up to him and he can’t outrun the opponents for a long return. There might be a team who will take a gamble on Hester because of his play on special teams. If he decides to hang up his cleats, the Hall Of Fame is waiting for him in five years.
What do you think of Devin Hester and is it time for him to retire from the game of football?
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