LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Devin Hester
’s remarkable record-breaking performance in Monday night's win over the Rams has earned the electrifying rookie a second straight NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
Hester became just the sixth player in NFL history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a game. With his 94-yarder in the second quarter, the second-round draft pick set a league record with five combined kick returns for TDs this season. The mark had been shared by nine players including two Bears, Gale Sayers and Cecil Turner.
 Devin Hester celebrates his 96-yard kickoff return TD in the fourth quarter of Monday night's win over the St. Louis Rams. |
“The guy’s unbelievable,” said All-Pro middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. “I don’t even know what to say. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. I would definitely not kick to him if I was the other special teams coach. It’s amazing to watch him.”
Hester’s previous four touchdowns came on punt returns of 84 yards at Green Bay, 83 yards at Arizona and 45 yards against Minnesota, and on a 108-yard return of a missed field goal at the New York Giants that tied teammate Nathan Vasher’s record for the longest play in NFL history.
Hester previously was named player of the week after his TD returns against the Giants last month and the Vikings last week.
“The guy is just amazing,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “He’s unbelievable. Every time he touches the ball, you’re on the edge of your seat, saying he might go all the way. I’ve never been around anybody like that.”
The Bears feel that Hester deserves consideration for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, even though he hasn’t played a snap on offense this season. Punter Brad Maynard once was named the MAC’s Defensive Player of the Year at Ball State without playing defense, so why not Hester?
“I think it’s about time we started looking at him as an offensive player,” said coach Lovie Smith. “There are a lot of good offensive rookies right now in the league making big plays, but who’s had as much impact as Devin Hester has in the league as a rookie right now? He’s just outstanding. We needed the big plays and he stepped up and came through.”
With 225 kickoff return yards against the Rams, Hester broke the Bears record that Nate Lewis had established with 221 yards Dec. 1, 1994 in a 33-27 overtime loss at Minnesota. With a 21-yard punt return in the first quarter, Hester eclipsed Jeff Fisher’s team record for punt return yards in a season, boosting his total to 518. Hester currently leads the NFL in punt returns with a 14.4-yard average.
“I don’t know how he does it,” Urlacher said. “He catches it and it’s like he stops, looks around and then goes, and he always gets yards and makes big plays. The guys are blocking for him. It’s amazing. I don’t know how to explain it.”
On Hester’s 94-yard return Monday, he took off up the middle, bounced outside and dashed down the left sideline. He then celebrated by replicating Deion Sanders’ end zone dance to honor the former NFL star who has helped him perfect his skills.
“That was a little shout out for all the dedication and hard work he has been putting in with me and the time that he spent in just keeping my head straight and just being there for me like a mentor,” Hester said.
Hester honored his hero again on his 96-yard scamper, high-stepping into the end zone. What made that touchdown even more impressive is that the Bears were expecting an onside kick and had their hands team on the field with players such as Muhsin Muhammad, Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley and Desmond Clark who don't normally block on returns.
“We were expecting the onside kick and (Jeff Wilkins) ended up kicking it deep and we had a return set up for that,” Hester said. “My teammates went out and set up great blocks like they always do and I got into the end zone.”
Hester has returned six kicks for touchdowns in his first 13 NFL games, matching the output he generated in three collegiate seasons. At the University of Miami, he returned four punts and two kickoffs for TDs in 32 career games.
“You never know what he’s going to do,” Urlacher said. “It’s crazy and the play’s never over when he’s back there. He’s patient. He just catches it and he waits and then he takes off. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life. I don’t play the Madden game or whatever it’s called, but that guy is like someone in a video game. He’s unreal.”
