Devin Hester didn’t make the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame on his first time on the poll.
Hester had a file 20 return touchdowns — 14 punts (additionally most all time), 5 kickoffs and a missed field-goal try — in his 11 NFL seasons, the primary eight of which had been with the Bears. A 3-time All-Professional, Hester was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Staff of the 2010s and certainly one of two return specialists on the NFL 100 All-Time Staff.
He was amongst 15 modern-era finalists, a most of 5 of which may be chosen for the Corridor.
Hester can be the thirty first Bears participant, coach or administrator to succeed in the Corridor of Fame — probably the most in league historical past. The newest inductees had been offensive sort out Jimbo Covert and defensive finish Ed Sprinkle, who had been two of 10 seniors choices for the particular centennial class in 2020 — although the enshrinement ceremony was delayed till August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dan Hampton (2002), Richard Dent (2011) and Brian Urlacher (2018) had been the opposite Bears inducted within the final 20 years.
Right here’s a glance again at Hester’s profession.
Devin Hester, the record-breaking Bears return man, falls brief in his 1st bid for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame
Devin Hester’s entry into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame nonetheless has a robust likelihood of taking place. That glory simply received’t come this 12 months.
In his first 12 months of eligibility for the Corridor, the record-breaking Chicago Bears returner was not voted to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, information that grew to become official Thursday evening. His candidacy will push into 2023.
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The ten (plus 1) most memorable performs of Devin Hester’s Bears profession, from the first Tremendous Bowl punch to his ‘Forrest Gump’ second
As Devin Hester awaits phrase about whether or not he was elected into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, right here’s a glance again on the prime moments from the profession of the best returner in Chicago Bears — and NFL — historical past.
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‘He positively modified the sport.’ Inspecting Devin Hester’s clear case to be the first returner within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame — within the 1st 12 months on the poll for the previous Bear.
With lower than a minute remaining to make their second-round decide in 2006, the Tennessee Titans had Devin Hester on the cellphone. They knowledgeable him that they deliberate to pick him with the forty fifth decide, congratulated him and commenced to make journey preparations to get him to Nashville.
Abruptly the Titans ended the decision, and earlier than their time was up, they'd turned in a card with the identify of USC operating again LenDale White. Hester shed a couple of tears, however he was again to being himself when the Chicago Bears referred to as 12 picks later and did in truth draft him — launching the profession of the best returner in NFL historical past.
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Rating the 100 finest Bears gamers ever: No. 19, Devin Hester
Devin Hester fielded the punt simply outdoors the suitable hash mark at his 16-yard line at Lambeau Discipline. He caught the ball, took two steps ahead, planted his left foot, took 4 strides to his proper and turned upfield.
Nobody touched him as he zoomed by means of the Packers punt group. Massive blocks by Ian Scott, Todd Johnson and few others sprung him, and Muhsin Muhammad and Charles Tillman took care of the final two Packers who had any shot at Hester.
In a flash, the Bears had elevated their result in 26-0, which held up as the ultimate rating on Sept. 10, 2006. Simply as rapidly, the remainder of the NFL was in deep trouble.
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Bears go defensive in draft, choose Devin Hester in 2nd spherical
The moment evaluation after the Bears chosen Hester, a 5-foot-10, 188-pound cornerback/kick returner, with the 57th decide (second spherical) of the 2006 NFL draft out of Miami? This from the Tribune:
“The Bears had been crushed by velocity receivers final season, and whereas Hester’s not going to push for a beginning job, the Bears want so as to add choices. Hester and (earlier second-round decide Danieal) Manning every might take a share of the return recreation instantly.”
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Devin Hester received’t decelerate, units file for kick returns in a season
Devin Hester apparently can’t be caught. And usually, the Bears’ speedy kick returner can’t even be contained.
The rookie from Miami did it once more Monday evening, returning kickoffs 94 and 96 yards for touchdowns to spotlight the Bears’ 42-27 romp over the St. Louis Rams.
Within the second quarter, Hester set an NFL file along with his fifth kick return for a landing in a season, then added the 96-yarder within the fourth quarter for good measure. He had 4 kickoff returns for 225 yards (56.3-yard common). He has three punt returns, two kickoff returns and one missed discipline objective returned for a TD this season.
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Devin Hester units a single-season file along with his sixth kick return for a landing
Devin Hester makes kick returning seem really easy. But the Bears’ Professional Bowl performer insists the artwork of returning kicks is more difficult than changing into a top-notch receiver within the NFL.
“I might say the returning talent is tougher,” Hester mentioned. “You will have (large receivers) popping out who catch a thousand balls, however the return talent is tougher.”
Hester returned a punt 64 yards for a landing in Sunday’s 33-25 season-ending victory over the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Discipline. It was his sixth kick return for a landing this season (4 punts, two kickoffs), setting an NFL single-season file.
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‘Please allow them to kick it to me!’: The oral historical past of Devin Hester’s Tremendous Bowl XLI kickoff return landing — and the protection group that dared to cease him
Brian Urlacher didn’t hesitate. As quickly because the Bears captain and All-Professional linebacker glanced down on the grass and noticed the commemorative coin with the helmet facet up, he appeared to referee Tony Corrente, drew each arms into his chest 4 instances, then sprinted again to the sideline.
The Bears would obtain the opening kickoff. Gladly.
Tremendous Bowl XLI was about to start on a wet February night 13 years in the past in Miami. And that coin-flip victory — tails failed for Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri — gave the Bears their golden alternative to gentle the wick of their most explosive firework.
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‘The Bears are who we thought they had been!’ An oral historical past of a magical Monday evening
October 16, 2006. Glendale, Ariz. — Slightly after 9 p.m. Mountain time, an evening’s value of vitality and hysteria had turned to disbelief. Throughout College of Phoenix Stadium, this newly opened retractable roof gem within the desert, the shock proved palpable.
Glowing from the scoreboards, the evening’s ultimate outcome made no sense.
Bears 24, Cardinals 23? Actually? However how?
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100 biggest moments in Chicago Bears historical past
Within the Bears’ 102-year historical past, Devin Hester is a part of seven of the franchise’s prime 100 moments, as chosen by Tribune reporters and editors.
Fairly spectacular contemplating he was a second-round draft decide who targeted on particular groups.
A number of the moments are elsewhere right here, nevertheless it’s an excellent journey down reminiscence lane.
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Devin Hester on exit from Bears: ‘They didn’t name me, interval’
The reunion is coming Sunday afternoon on the Georgia Dome.
Devin Hester, as soon as a Chicago Bear and now an Atlanta Falcon, dealing with the group that drafted him, the group with which he registered 19 regular-season return touchdowns earlier than scoring an NFL-record twentieth in Week 3 with the Falcons.
Hester was a return specialist solely in his ultimate season with the Bears. His contract expired in March. And, in accordance with Hester, the Bears made no push to maintain him round.
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Bears honor Devin Hester and Matt Forte in retirement ceremony
Devin Hester drove to Halas Corridor numerous instances throughout his eight exceptional seasons with the Bears. On Monday, en path to the retirement ceremony honoring him and former teammate Matt Forte, there was a brand new aspect to that outdated street.
“Usually once I drive right here, I’m at all times late,” Hester cracked. “That was my first time driving the velocity restrict. I received an opportunity to benefit from the surroundings.”
Lastly, lengthy after his arrival in 2006, neither fines nor the wrath of coach Lovie Smith waited for him.
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Devin Hester lands a spot on the NFL 100 All-Time Staff as a return specialist: ‘What an unbelievable and humbling honor’
Devin Hester’s ridiculous profession with the Bears landed him on the NFL 100 All-Time Staff. Is the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame subsequent for the record-setting returner?
Hester was named top-of-the-line gamers in league historical past, making the distinguished group as a return specialist. Different specialists named had been fellow returner Billy “White Footwear” Johnson, kickers Jan Stenerud and Adam Vinatieri and punters Ray Man and Shane Lechler.