September 23, 2021: Hester for the Hall

OK, well, let me first start by saying, hell yeah I’m biased; I’ve seen pretty much every one of Devin Hester’s returns happen live, one in person. But even if I wasn’t a Bears fan, looking at this objectively, if someone is the best at their particular position, and by the best I mean having the most return TDs of all time, then isn’t that the very reason someone is selected into the Hall of Fame? Yes, yes it is, thus it should be an easy call… Hester for the Hall!!!

Let’s talk about impact on the game too; that’s important, right? Teams had to game plan for Hester; yeah, a guy that doesn’t even line up every snap on either side of the ball, which is what is supposed to work against him in this scenario, right? Well, for a guy that touched the ball as many times as he did, and the impact, the changing of field position, the putting of points on the board… there was nobody better; we can agree on that yes? If so, then yes, if you are the best kick returner of all time, then yes, you should be in the Hall of Fame. I’m not sure how any argument against this can trump the pros for this… but again, like I said, I am biased.

Everybody remembers the Super Bowl. That opening kick return for a TD was one of the best moments ever; unfortunately it was all down hill from there. But for that very moment, 10 guys jumping up and down with full beers spilling everywhere… everybody talking crap about how stupid they were to kick to him, how they didn’t respect him, F Peyton, F the Colts…. haha. We definitely peaked too early in this game. Still, an all time moment recorded by the best to ever do it on the biggest stage of all… more proof positive. But WE know how it was game in game out, and how every single time Hester was waiting to receive a kick, we sat on the edge of our seats. Yeah, just because the defense stopped the opposing team, don’t walk off to the bathroom quite yet. Just because the other team scored, you better get your snacks quick. Hester was can’t miss TV; those who watched the Bears game in game out knew this. I was lucky enough to see him do it one time in person, and it wasn’t even in Chicago.

Yes, thinking about that moment in Arizona takes me back; it raises the hair on my arms, gives me chills. Yes, I was there for the big MNF comeback against the Cardinals. I don’t have to tell you how great a game that was; to be there in person… whew! Yes, the defense brought us back in that game; Urlacher was an absolute maniac. But it was Hester, who put the cherry on top of this comeback cake. I was there, about 15 rows up at the 30 yard line where he received that punt. Once I saw him make that final cut, I knew; you see, once Hester got going, once he broke free, nobody was going to catch him… you may even say he was ridiculous. Pandemonium broke out for us Bears fans in enemy territory. The Bears had come all the way back to take the lead; after a game like this, it was easy to think that it was OUR year. Hester was front and center for our year, that ended up coming up just one win short. I wish Hester would have stayed with the Bears to break the record, although seeing him do it with the Falcons, Prime Time’s team, that was kind of cool too.

I could go on and on here, including giving props to the entire special teams unit helping pave the way for Devin; they were great too. But Devin… he was special, he was one of a kind… he is a Hall of Famer regardless of what Canton thinks, although it would be really nice for it to become official. I believe it will be, in his first year of eligibility. Maybe even give me a reason to make a trip back to Canton… vote early, vote often! Bear Down!