Devin Hester: NFL Hall of Fame Returner

Devin Hester revolutionized the return game, striking fear into opposing special teams units and sprinting his way straight into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Football Bio

Most players in the Football Halls of Fame were every-down players: quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, linebackers, and the like.

Seldom are players chosen for the honor who played predominantly on special teams, but when you have a player as impactful as Devin Hester, exceptions are made.

Devin Hester was born on November 4, 1982, in Riviera Beach, Florida.

After a stellar high school career, Hester enrolled at the University of Miami in 2003, where he became the first modern Hurricanes player to make an impact on game days in all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams.

Many NFL franchises had Hester on their short list when the 2006 NFL Draft began, but the first team to pull the trigger on the Florida native was the Chicago Bears, who took Devin with their second-round pick.

Hester was the Bears’ primary kick and punt returner from 2006 through 2013, with some spot duty at receiver.

Number 23 devastated many kick coverage units during his career, earning four Pro Bowl appearances at the position and leading the NFL in return yards four times early in his career.

In 2014, Hester left Chicago in free agency and signed on with the Falcons, Seahawks, and later the Ravens to wrap up a terrific eleven-year career.[National Football Foundation]

Devin Hester redefined the specialist position, forcing opponents to overhaul their kicking strategies and proving that a return man can dominate the gridiron just as effectively as a traditional offensive star.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024, becoming the first primary return specialist to earn the honor.
• Holds the NFL record for the most career return touchdowns with 20.
• Holds the NFL record for the most career punt return touchdowns with 14.
• First player in NFL history to return the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl for a touchdown, accomplishing the feat in Super Bowl XLI.
• Earned four Pro Bowl selections (2006, 2007, 2010, 2014) and three First-Team All-Pro honors (2006, 2007, 2010).
• Named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
• Selected to both the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

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