On Thursday night, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 2024 graduates during the annual NFL Honors ceremony. The announcement touched on the annual tradition of discussing who was in and why they were slighted, and were there any names headed to Canton? Chicago Bears kick returner Devin Hester.
Over the course of his 11-year career, Hester gradually developed a larger role as a receiver for the Bears. During the 2009 season, he set career highs in receptions (57 yards) and receiving yards (757 yards), and the following season he caught a career-high four touchdown passes.
However, he was best known for his work as a kick returner. Over his NFL career, Hester returned five kickoffs for touchdowns and scored 14 punt return touchdowns. One of his most dynamic plays in Super Bowl history was his kickoff return for a touchdown to open Super Bowl XLII.
In response to the announcement, the Bears created a nine-minute highlight reel showcasing just a few of the magical moments Hester has had throughout his career.
The Indianapolis Colts debated whether or not to kick Hester for the opening touchdown in Super Bowl 41 in the days leading up to the game. Years later, Tony Dungy admitted to Dan Patrick that his original plan was that he wasn’t going to kick him, but the night before the game, the coach said he was too scared to avoid Hester and decided to play. That’s what he thought.
So he told the team he had a new plan.
“That night, after the meeting, I thought it was just playing scared. So the next morning, when I went to the game, I told the team that I hoped they would lose the toss. Because if we lose, we’re going to give Hester a toss in the middle. We’re going to hit him. Then they’ll know we’ve received the biggest threat. They’re over. Masu.
“Thirteen seconds later he was in the end zone.” Dungey continued. “Everyone looked at me and said, ‘Who is that?’ I went back and said to them, ‘You said there was going to be a storm.’
The Colts somehow overcame that first play and won Super Bowl XLII.
But now, that play, and the player who led to those dynamic moments, is headed to Canton.
