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Devin Hester

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Devin Hester
refer to caption
Hester at the 2007 Pro Bowl
Chicago Bears
Career information
College:University of Miami
NFL draft:2006 / Round: 2 / Pick: 57
Career history
  • Chicago Bears (2006-present)
Career highlights and awards

Devin Hester (born November 4, 1982) is a wide receiver and return specialist, who plays for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He is an alumnus of the University of Miami, where he became the first person in the university’s history to play on all three teams (offense, defense, special teams) of American football.[1] Hester began his professional career with the Bears in 2006, and quickly made an impact as a kick returner. Dubbed the "Windy City Flyer" and "Anytime", Hester holds the league's all-time record for most touchdown returns in one season.[2]

Early years

Devin Hester was born to Juanita Brown and Lenorris Hester Sr. in Riviera Beach, Florida. His parents separated while he was a toddler. Before he became a teenager, his mother was severely injured in car accident, while his father died of cancer two years later.[3] His step-father, Derrick Brown, and brother, Lenorris Jr., helped Hester escape his depression and rebuild his life by introducing him to football. He soon returned to his normal life, and began to excel in sports and academics.[4]

Hester attended Suncoast High School, where he played football as a cornerback, wide receiver, return specialist, and running back. He earned recognition from SuperPrep.com as the sixth best high school prospect in Florida, and Parade, who named Hester onto their All-American team. Hester also participated in the 2002 CaliFlorida Bowl, where he returned a kick for an 80-yard touchdown.[5][6]

During his youth, Hester enjoyed following the Dallas Cowboys. He especially idolized Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. He was also a fan of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson era.[7] Fred Taylor of the University of Florida was Hester's favorite athlete. In addition to football, he also enjoyed playing soccer and following baseball.[7]

Collegiate career

After completing high school, Hester enrolled into the University of Miami. As a sophomore, he earned national recognition after being named onto the "Walter Camp All-America Team" and “The Sporting News' All-America team”. Hester’s recognition was influenced by his prodigious success as a kick returner. His ability to thrust laterally and breakaway from pursuers made him one of the nation’s most dangerous return specialists.[5] During his freshman year, Hester returned an opening kick for a 97-yard touchdown against the University of Florida. In a game against Duke University in 2005, Hester broke six tackles while returning an 81-yard punt.[8] Ultimately, Hester completed his college career with a total of six touchdowns from kick returns, including one blocked field goal return. He also scored one rushing and receiving touchdown, and recorded five interceptions as a defensive back.

Hester became the first football player in Miami Hurricanes' history to play as member of the special, offensive, and defensive teams.[5][1] During his productive tenure at the University of Miami, Hester befriended Deion Sanders through Ed Reed, one of Sanders’ teammates who was an alumnus of the University of Miami. Sanders counseled, advised, and encouraged Hester. Hester was also known as “Anytime” in college, which is a tribute to Sanders’ nickname, “Prime Time”. He also adopted Sanders’ signature touchdown dance, and showboating maneuvers, which he carried to his future NFL career.[4]

Professional career

2006 NFL Draft

Pre-draft measureables
Weight 40 yd 20 ss 3-cone Vert BP Wonderlic
Template:Lb to kg 4.35s 4.20s 6.78s 38 in (96.5 cm)* 16*[9] X
* represents NFL Combine


The Chicago Bears drafted Hester in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft as the fifty-seventh overall selection.[9] Although he was drafted as a cornerback, Lovie Smith intended to use Hester as a return specialist.


2006

Hester’s rookie season was eventful and record-breaking. In only thirteen weeks as a professional football player, Hester scored six return touchdowns, including a record tying 108-yard touchdown from a missed field goal against the New York Giants.[10] He also returned a punt for a clutch 83-yard game-winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, and two kickoff returns in one game against the St. Louis Rams.[11][12] Following his record-breaking game during week fourteen, opposing teams exercised additional caution when allowing Hester to return kicks.[13][2] During the postseason Hester nearly ran back a punt at a critical moment against the Seattle Seahawks, but it was called back on a blocking penalty. Regardless, the Bears won both NFC playoffs rounds, and advanced to Super Bowl XLI to play the Indianapolis Colts. He started the game on a high note for the Bears by returning the game’s opening kick for a touchdown.[14] The feat was the first touchdown return in an opening kickoff in Super Bowl history.[14] It also marked the quickest lead ever taken by any team.[14] Following the kick, the Colts did not kick the ball directly to Hester, significantly limiting the Bears’ return efforts.[15]

Hester's feats in 2006 earned him three NFC Special Teams Player of the week Awards,[16] and a trip to the 2007 Pro Bowl.[17] After the 2006 season ended, he was named as the "NFC’s Player of the Month" for December, and was a finalist in the 2006 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year voting.[18] He was also voted onto the Associated Press’s 2006 All-Pro team with 48 and a half votes, finishing second behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Champ Bailey, and Jason Taylor who all received 50 votes.[19] He finished the 2006 season by accumulating three touchdowns for 600 yards on 47 punt returns, and two touchdowns for 528 yards on 20 kick returns, thus making him one of the league’s most productive kick and punt returners.[20][16] Even without taking an offensive snap prior to week fourteen, Hester was the Bears' second leading scorer, behind kicker Robbie Gould.[21] On a negative note, Hester struggled to control the football at times, having games with multiple fumbles on at least two separate occasions.[22][23][2]

Many fans speculated that Hester’s speed and prior experience as a wide receiver would earn him a spot on the Bears' offense, similar to teammate Rashied Davis. While Lovie Smith dismissed the speculation, he played Hester as a wide receiver for one play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 17, 2006.[24][25] Hester attributes his talent to his mentor, Deion Sanders, whom Hester claims helped him perfect his return game.[16][7] Sanders, a former cornerback and kick returner, compliments Hester after every productive performance. However, Sanders also berated Hester for taunting another player en route to his second touchdown return against the St. Louis Rams.[26][27] His teammates and coaches have also praised Hester. After the 2006 season, he was voted to receive the team's Brian Piccolo Award, which is given to a player who possesses a good character and work ethic.[28]

2007

Shortly after losing Super Bowl XLI, Hester and David Toub, the Bears’ special teams coach, spent a significant amount of time working on new return strategies for Hester.[29] Despite Lovie Smith’s interest in keeping Hester a kick returner and reserve defensive back, the Bears officially converted him to a wide receiver and possibly a running back on May 14.[30] Hester, who had originally played as a receiver and running back at Miami, wished to play as a cornerback like his idol, Deion Sanders, but was persuaded by the coaching staff to make the switch to offense.[31] In July, he won the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award.[32]

Hester returned his first touchdown in 2007 during the Bears' home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.[33] He nearly returned a second touchdown, but the play was called back on a penalty.[33]

NFL records

League

Franchise

  • Most kickoff return yards in a game (225 yards) - Against St. Louis on December 11, 2006
  • Most punt return yards in a game (152 yards) - Against Arizona on October 16, 2006
  • Most punt return yards in a season (518 yards) - 2006 season

*Shared with Ellis Hobbs and Nathan Vasher
**Shared with five others

Personal life

Hester is in a relationship with Tamara James, a women's basketball player he met at the University of Miami. James currently plays professionally for the Washington Mystics. In an interview with the Black Sports Network in 2005, Hester revealed that he was engaged to James, but the couple had not yet set a date for their marriage ceremony.[34] A later article by the Chicago Tribune confirmed that he had proposed to James on June 6, 2005 at a Miami Heat basketball game.[4] Hester’s family resides in Florida and was struck by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Hester has assisted his family financially in helping them rebuild their home.[35] His brother Lenorris Jr., resides with Hester during the regular season in their Chicago area home. Hester was raised as a Christian. He brings a Bible to every game he plays.[36]

Hester’s successful rookie year drew him much publicity and popularity. Ever since his record-breaking performance against the Rams, Hester has been offered marketing opportunities from Nike, soft drink businessmen, and cell phone companies.[37] There has also been a surge in the demand for Hester’s jerseys within the Chicagoland sporting stores.[38] Along with teammates Rex Grossman and Tommie Harris, Hester appeared on the February 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids. His reputation has also been bolstered by EA Sports' Madden NFL 08, where Hester's perfect 100 speed rating will make him the fastest player in the game's history.[39] Hester also appeared in a promotional video for the game.[40]

References

  1. ^ a b Black Sports Network, College Football: Devin Retrieved on November 17, 2006
  2. ^ a b c SuperBowl.com, Hester is Chicago's not-so-secret weapon Retrieved on February 28, 2007
  3. ^ Tom Pedulla (2007-01-31). "Big returns on Bears' investment". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
  4. ^ a b c Chicago Tribune, Pilot episode is prime-time Retrieved on December 18, 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Hester_Pilot" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c University of Miami Athletics, Player Bio:Devin Hester::Football Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  6. ^ Rivals.com, CaliFlorida Bowl: Final Comments Retrieved on March 20, 2007
  7. ^ a b c Chicago Tribune, Q&A: Devin Hester Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  8. ^ ESPN, Duke Blue Devils at Miami (FL) Hurricanes Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  9. ^ a b NFL Draft Scout, Devin Hester, DS #10 WR, Miami, Retrieved on August 23, 2007
  10. ^ ESPN, Hester's record return pushes Bears past sleeping Giants Retrieved on March 3, 2007
  11. ^ RightWingNutHouse.com, PHOENIX RISING Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  12. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Hester's electrifying return twice as nice for Bears Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  13. ^ TBO.com, A Force Of Nature Retrieved on February 24, 2007
  14. ^ a b c UsaToday.com, Smashing entrance by Bears' Hester at Super Bowl XLI Retrieved on March 20, 2007
  15. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 Retrieved on February 5, 2007
  16. ^ a b c ChicagoBears.com, Hester wins second straight player of week award Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  17. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Hester among seven Bears voted to Pro Bowl Retrieved on January 19, 2007
  18. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Hester named player of month for December Retrieved on January 4, 2007
  19. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Tomlinson, Taylor and Bailey unanimous All-Pros Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  20. ^ ESPN, ESPN.com – NFL – Devin Hester Retrieved on January 16, 2007
  21. ^ Associated Content, Dante Hall Has Passed the Torch to Devin Hester Retrieved on January 16, 2007
  22. ^ SuburbanChicagoNews.com, Offensive Hester a downer Retrieved on January 16, 2007
  23. ^ Chicago Tribune, Precision drill team Retrieved on January 16, 2007
  24. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Bears have no plans to play Hester on offense Retrieved on December 17, 2006
  25. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Bears 34, Buccaneers 31, OT Retrieved on December 17, 2006
  26. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Electrifying Hester enjoying wild ride with humility Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  27. ^ Kansas City Star, The Windy City Flyer Retrieved on February 25, 2007
  28. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Kreutz, Hester honored to win Piccolo Awards Retrieved on April 24, 2007
  29. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Bears will look to counter game of keepaway Retrieved on March 9, 2007
  30. ^ ESPN.com, Bears to shake things up, move Hester to offense Retrieved on May 15, 2007
  31. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Bears moving dynamic Hester to offense Retrieved on May 14, 2007
  32. ^ "The Best of the ESPYs". ESPN Internet Ventures. 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  33. ^ a b ChicagoBears.com, Defense, Hester lead Bears to win, Retrieved on September 15, 2007.
  34. ^ Black Sports Network, College Football: Devin Retrieved on November 17, 2006
  35. ^ Scout.com, Devin Hester Rookie Diary: Entry 1 Retrieved on November 17, 2006
  36. ^ Sun Sentinel, Devin Hester's kick returns can inspire cheers or cringing Retrieved on January 16, 2007
  37. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Devin Hester on success as a rookie (Video) Retrieved on December 18, 2006
  38. ^ "Devin-Mania is gaining speed". Chicago Tribune. December 14, 2006. pp. 1, 4. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ ESPN.com, Devin Hester: Maximum Speed Retrieved on April 6 2007
  40. ^ Youtube.com, Madden 08 Draft - Devin Hester, Retrieved on June 22, 2007
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