All 20 Devin Hester Return TD's... Most memorable? Favorite?

[richig07]

10:43 seconds of straight Hester return TD's. All in chronological order as well.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVD8SZ3GP_s]Devin Hester Highlights All TD Returns (as of October 20, 2013) - YouTube[/ame]

What are your favorites? Most memorable? Most pivotal?

Which was the return that made you just go; "Holy shit, this guy is on another level. There's never been anything like this."

In 2007, when no one was even kicking to him, and he still managed a return seemingly every time they did. That's when I was just like; "Jesus Christ... this is not even real life. Is it?" Namely, the Denver game in December, where they gave him two shots, and he returned both for TD's. Forcing Denver to kick short to open OT, which put the Bears in great field position to eventually win and keep the season alive. Arguably best game I ever attended at Soldier Field. That includes playoff wins and the NFCCG win vs NO.

I remember reading an article in the paper in 2007, talking about how absurd Hester's numbers could be if he stayed the pace. He was returning 1 out of every 9 kicks he fielded for a TD. Yes, you read that right... ONE OUT OF NINE. That includes the squibs he picked up as they rolled on the ground, and the directional punts near the sideline with no room. The second closest was like Sayers or Prime Time at 1 out of 80 or something. Absolutely NUTS.

Obviously, he never stayed the course. Imagine if we could have had those two or three years back when weren't trying to make him a full-time WR?

The fan favorite has to be SB XLI opening kickoff, right? I mean, craziest sports moment I've ever experienced.

 

[Tainthappening]

Greatest return man all time.

I am glad to see he had more returns vs Vikings than Packers... someone struggled covering him more than Packers did.

Have to say the return vs Rams at the 1.37 mark... when Hester turns on the after burners at the 1.44 mark, I was honestly wondering if someone can humanly run that fast. Amazing!

 

[anotheridiot]

Obviously, he never stayed the course. Imagine if we could have had those two or three years back when weren't trying to make him a full-time WR?

The fan favorite has to be SB XLI opening kickoff, right? I mean, craziest sports moment I've ever experienced.

I agree that superbowl kickoff was the craziest. The field goal return was outstanding until Manning did it a little longer, but you consider 9 fat guys on the field goal protection team it was probably the easiest.

If they didnt try to make him a receiver, he would have been gone 4 years ago. They knew they needed a hook to keep him here. I still think if they would have offered that 10 million dollar bonus to have 25 return td's he would have gotten there.

Probably could have had a few more if he were able to stick at cornerback too.

 

[NCChiFan]

I agree that superbowl kickoff was the craziest. The field goal return was outstanding

These are my vote.

 

[leomaz]

While there were many memorable moments. .no one can deny.........there were as many question mark moments...no one can deny.....Great return specialist....best of this era........ I will not , however, cheer anything he does with another team

 

[leomaz]

The 2 against Denver were my favorite of the memorable moments

 

[beardown07]

The come-from-behind win in AZ in 06'.

I shattered my ceiling fan light with my wedding ring when I jumped in celebration. Bloodied hand and all...didn't care...that was awesome.

 

[beardown07]

The okey-doke on the FG return was awesome too

 

[beardown07]

Sad to see him go.

 

[beardown07]

shit..the move he makes at the beginning of the SB return was wicked.

 

[richig07]

While there were many memorable moments. .no one can deny.........there were as many question mark moments...no one can deny.....Great return specialist....best of this era........ I will not , however, cheer anything he does with another team

Uh... please name one question mark moment that made you question his greatness?

Lol... and if you're not going to be happy for him when he breaks the all-time return record, than... just screw you. Have some damn perspective.

 

[beardown07]

While there were many memorable moments. .no one can deny.........there were as many question mark moments...no one can deny.....Great return specialist....best of this era........ I will not , however, cheer anything he does with another team

Ya, people will remember him for fielding it inside the ten occasionally, and a few muffs??




Best returner of all time. Should make the HOF IMO, and I hope he shatters the record on leomaz's birthday.

 

[richig07]

Ya, people will remember him for fielding it inside the ten occasionally, and a few muffs??




Best returner of all time. Should make the HOF IMO, and I hope he shatters the record on leomaz's birthday.

Really? How many muffs did he lose in his career? Fucking two or three? Are you serious? Guy was as safe as it gets. I remember him muffing punts, but only when no one was around and he was looking downfield. Never turned it over.

Yeah, he fielded the ball inside the ten. Because he had the ability to go the distance any time he touched the ball. People always kicked away from him. Of course he was going to take any chance he had. As he should have.

 

[leomaz]

why change what I have said......?

Uh... please name one question mark moment that made you question his greatness?

Lol... and if you're not going to be happy for him when he breaks the all-time return record, than... just screw you. Have some damn perspective.

Almost every game since 2007 revere were moments where I had questioned his "greatness".....I remember numerous times at games in which fans all around me questioned his "greatness"........

I'm sure you have had the same moments.....please don't act like he was a perfect player.

I gave Devin his due respect but when he is not a Chicago Bear...lit means he will be the enemy.......period.....I am not leading the brigade to have other do the samne as me......I am not starting an "Devin Hester is our enemy" facebook page........I simply will not cheer him on.......as long ashe is not a Chicago Bear

 

[63bears40]

Almost every game since 2007 revere were moments where I had questioned his "greatness".....I remember numerous times at games in which fans all around me questioned his "greatness"........

I'm sure you have had the same moments.....please don't act like he was a perfect player.

I gave Devin his due respect but when he is not a Chicago Bear...lit means he will be the enemy.......period.....I am not leading the brigade to have other do the samne as me......I am not starting an "Devin Hester is our enemy" facebook page........I simply will not cheer him on.......as long ashe is not a Chicago Bear

1 of the few times I agree W/ U

 

[seahawksfan234]

As an opposing fan, nothing scared me more than the thought of giving Devin Hester the football. I still remember when the Seahawks punted to him back in 2010 or 2011 and Jon Ryan our punter was running down the field to tackle him and just got destroyed on a block by a Bears player, the Seahawks were up by 6 points in the 4th and Hester's return gave the Bears the lead.

Hands down the best return man in NFL history.

 

[blh7068]

Imagine if we could have had those two or three years back when weren't trying to make him a full-time WR?

Then it's quite possible he wouldn't have been a Bear. He wanted to play WR, in fact more than management, iirc. As anotheridiot said, that was the hook needed to keep him. Remember his contract full of escalators specific to WR performance? The brass would have been content keeping his roster spot exclusive to return duties. No risk involved by allowing his spot to provide depth at WR because return abilities made him a roster lock. However, he wanted to play WR, so that accommodation had to happen to ensure he stayed a Bear. IMO, the experiment lasted too long. BTW, his WR stats run from 07-12. 217/2807 14 td's 12.9 ypc. I recall him wildly inconsistent, marginal route runner at best, simple go routes best suited him with his speed. Not an NFL caliber WR.

 

[richig07]

Then it's quite possible he wouldn't have been a Bear. He wanted to play WR, in fact more than management, iirc. As anotheridiot said, that was the hook needed to keep him. Remember his contract full of escalators specific to WR performance? The brass would have been content keeping his roster spot exclusive to return duties. No risk involved by allowing his spot to provide depth at WR because return abilities made him a roster lock. However, he wanted to play WR, so that accommodation had to happen to ensure he stayed a Bear. IMO, the experiment lasted too long. BTW, his WR stats run from 07-12. 217/2807 14 td's 12.9 ypc. I recall him wildly inconsistent, marginal route runner at best, simple go routes best suited him with his speed. Not an NFL caliber WR.

Yeah, I agree. I suppose I never thought of it like that. Where we needed to do that to keep him.

Like you said, the experiment just lasted too long. He would have a nice game or make a big play here or there. It just never stuck. He had a solid run at the end of 2010, I believe. A big game versus the Jets, and a few other solid performances. Pretty poor route runner with average hands. Was pretty bad at adjusting his body to the ball if I remember correctly. I remember in 2007, against the Giants. The Bears had a chance to put the game away, and move themselves into a tie for the final wild card spot. He literally had about 10 yards of separation from any defender. Turned his body the wrong way, and the ball hit off of his shoulder pad. Really discouraging.

 

[beardown07]

Really? How many muffs did he lose in his career? Fucking two or three? Are you serious? Guy was as safe as it gets. I remember him muffing punts, but only when no one was around and he was looking downfield. Never turned it over.

Yeah, he fielded the ball inside the ten. Because he had the ability to go the distance any time he touched the ball. People always kicked away from him. Of course he was going to take any chance he had. As he should have.

So the facelpalm and wtf smiley wasn't enough to convey my sarcasm? Duly noted.

 

[richig07]

So the facelpalm and wtf smiley wasn't enough to convey my sarcasm? Duly noted.

Haha. Fair enough dude. I must have been hammered.

Cheers