Devin Hester, a Chicago Bears great, has been selected as one of the 15 Modern-Era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the third year in a row.
Hester spent eight of his eleven NFL seasons as a player for the Bears. He boasts NFL records with 19 kick-return scores, 14 punt-return touchdowns, and 20 return touchdowns—which include punts, kickoffs, failed field goals, fumbles, and interceptions—making him the most prolific return specialist in league history.
Hester, a Miami native selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2006 draft, was selected to three Pro Bowls, won thirteen special teams player of the week accolades, and was included on the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team.
As a rookie in 2006, Hester set an NFL single-season record with five kick return touchdowns; the next year, she surpassed that total with six touchdowns.
Hester made history as a rookie by returning a punt 84 yards for a touchdown in his first NFL game against the Packers. She also set a franchise record for the most kickoff return yards in a single game, 199 yards against the Rams, and helped the Bears pull off an incredible 24-23 comeback victory over the Cardinals.
Then, in a 29-17 loss to the Colts, Hester completed his incredible rookie campaign by being the first player in NFL history to return the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl for a touchdown. Hester ran 92 yards.
Hester scored scores in 2007 after returning two kickoffs and four punts. He scored touchdowns on an 88-yard kickoff return and a 75-yard punt return in a 37-34 overtime victory over the Broncos.
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