When the Chicago Bears had a run to the Super Bowl in the 2005-06 season, a big reason for it was return-specialist Devin Hester. He was one of the most electric players on the Chicago Bears and in the NFL in general.
Hester went on to become the greatest kick and punt returner in the history of the sport. He was so good that they changed the rules of kickoffs because of him. Whenever rules are changed to nerf you, it is pretty clear that you were so good.
This man returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI after two weeks of the Indianapolis Colts publicly talking about whether or not they’d actually kick to him. They did and he burned them. Unfortunately for the Bears, however, the Colts still won the game.
Now, there is a wonder if the NFL’s all-time greatest return man should make it to the Hall of Fame. If you are the best at anything in your sport, you should be a Hall of Famer and Hester is the all-time greatest returner. How he played as a receiver or defensive back is irrelevant.
Devin Hester deserves to be in the Hall of Fame for his brilliant career.
Well, Hester was snubbed again as the class of 2023 was announced on Thursday night and he wasn’t in it. It just doesn’t seem right at all.
There are going to be a lot more chances for Hester to be put in but there shouldn’t really be much of a debate as to whether or not he deserves it. His being the best returner of all time is really non-negotiable.
Even on the returns that he didn’t run back to the end zone, he gave his team outstanding field position. There were plenty of games where he was the number one reason the Bears won. It was remarkable to watch.
This man even returned a missed field goal attempt against the New York Giants which was one of the most sensational things we’ve ever seen. It is a shame that the Bears weren’t able to win Super Bowl XLI for him but it is an even bigger shame that the Hall of Fame voters are dead wrong.