Devin Hester was the only active player interview I ever enjoyed. He was charismatic, honest, funny, and he was not pleased to see Josh Cribbs stealing some of his limelight while he was sidelines with an injury. Hester was also the most electric athlete of my lifetime. Data wrote a terrific piece, Quantifying Devin Hester, in 2017. Robert even reflected on Hester in his early days as editor here. We’ve written a lot about Hester around here, but attention must continue being paid.
The NFL ridiculously prohibits their YouTube highlights from being embedded on non-affiliated websites, even sites that have been promoting their product for two decades. So, in order to watch the videos below you need to click the links and go over to the YT site. But these are my three favorite Hester performances/moments.
2007. Week 12. Denver Broncos.
Kick returners have won games in the NFL, but this is the only game I can remember where a kick returner singlehandedly won an NFL game. The Broncos outplayed the Bears on BOTH sides of the ball for four quarters, but Hester’s two returns (a kickoff and a punt) were the difference.
2006. “They are who we thought they were!”
Video: Monday Night Meltdown! (Bears vs. Cardinals 2006, Week 6) (youtube.com)
The wildest night I spent at Josie Woods, and the most inconceivable football game I’ve ever witnessed.
The Super Bowl Moment.
Video: [HD] Devin Hester Opening Kickoff Return | Superbowl XLI | Extended Version (youtube.com)
It is the sporting event I choose to forget, but one can’t deny it had the most thrilling opening moments in Chicago Bears history. With that kick return touchdown, Hester solidified his historical status with the organization. I remember, in a somewhat drunken haze, screaming, “This is our year! This is our year!” It was not.