1) Devin Hester is a former NFL punt and kickoff return specialist/ wide receiver who played eight season with the Chicago Bears and had brief stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks.
2) Hester is the NFL's record holder for combined punt and kickoff return touchdowns (19 total) and also holds the all-time record for punt returns for a touchdown (14).
3) Devin was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft as a cornerback and return specialist out of the University of Miami. He later moved to play wide receiver in addition to his punt and kick returner duties.
D: Who is the best player you have ever juked on a kickoff or punt return?
DH: Oh man. I really don't know. I can't really think of anyone specific. That's a hard one.
D's Follow Up: I knew he probably wouldn't say anybody because he juked everybody on his returns.
J (asked by D): What other sports did you play growing up?
DH: Basketball and Track and Field.
J's Follow Up: I know he was always one of the fastest players in the NFL so he was probably in the sprints. He was on TV racing a cheetah, so he has to be one of the fastest players. It would be hard to guard him on the basketball court too because he's one of the fastest players in the world.
On Tuesday, January 23rd, Danny and I met the greatest return specialist the NFL has ever seen, Devin Hester. We met Devin at the new My Fan Cave store at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. This was my third time meeting Devin and it was Danny's first. Jordan had a basketball game and was sad to miss out on the fun but he knows how important it is to be there for his team. The photo above is of Jen and Jordan with Devin Hester around his first birthday.
Devin Hester wore number 23 in his eight seasons with the Bears just like Michael Jordan did with the Chicago Bulls. He was nearly as electrifying on the football field as MJ was on the basketball court too. My favorite memory of Devin will always be the kickoff return for a touchdown to open up Super Bowl 41 during his rookie season. I believed the Bears were destined to win that game after the magical return touchdown in Hester's return home to Miami. Although it wasn't meant to be, his historic return touchdown will always be one of my favorite Chicago sports memories.
Danny loves to watch football players "juke" other players in highlights. When we watched Hester's return TDs on YouTube, even the Packers fan was impressed by Devin's amazing moves and speed on the field and was excited to meet #23 in person. I figured Danny's question would be tough for Devin to answer because he typically would be going up against backups who were mostly only playing special teams for the other team. He probably didn't have the chance to go head to head against superstars from the opposing team and their wouldn't be many household names.
Jordan is always interested in learning about the other sports each athlete plays aside from the one they get paid to play. There was no question in our mind that Devin Hester and his speed would translate well to track and field and the sprinting events. We also agreed that he would be a tough guard on the basketball court because of his amazing athleticism. If we had to guess, we think he would be a perfect point guard using his speed to attack the lane and kick the ball out to his shooters or finishers at the rim.
It was an exciting night to be around greatness and the player that most fans and football analysts consider the greatest to play his position of all time. Thank you Devin for making your return to the windy city and meeting with us last week. Even the Packer fan had to admit he had fun.
