By Jordan Long
Returner Devin Hester has decided to retire. He has not played in the NFL since 2016 when he was with the Baltimore Ravens. According to yahoo.com, Hester said, “Over the last year, I’ve spent time reflecting on my career surrounded by friends and family, and I realized it’s time for me to officially retire from the NFL.”
Hester was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2nd round of the 2006 NFL Draft. The Bears were hoping he would be a return man and a wide receiver. In 2006 his job was to return the football on punts and kickoffs. That season he had 3 touchdowns on punts and 2 on kickoffs. The Bears knew he would be the returner for years to come. NFL teams were trying to kick away from him because one opening and Hester was gone for a touchdown.
In 2007 the Bears tried him at wide receiver. He wasn’t as dangerous when catching the football with 299 yards and 2 touchdowns. That year he had his top season returning punts with 4 touchdowns. Hester spent the next 6 seasons in Chicago before heading to Atlanta.
In his 2 years in Atlanta, he had 1 punt return for a touchdown. Teams were punting the ball short or out of bounds to try to limit him returning the football. They knew if Hester had the ball in his hands, it could be decent field position or a touchdown. Teams had to adjust their game plan on special teams because of Hester.
During his career, Hester was selected to 4 Pro Bowls and even was on the First Team All-Pro 3 times. He leaves the NFL game with 3,311 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns. What made him special was his ability to return the football. Hester had 14 punt returns for touchdowns which makes him number 1 All-Time and added 5 kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Hester should be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. He may not have the offensive numbers, but Hester made it up with his return skills. Hopefully that will be enough for him to be selected.
What do you make of Devin Hester’s career?
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