Devin Hester was a record-setting return specialist through an 11-year career, and he could start a trend in Canton.
Hester will become the first returner to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. Hester joins Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar, Andre Johnson, Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers and Patrick Willis in this year's class.
Hester was a game-changer for the Chicago Bears. Including postseason, Hester had 20 returns for touchdowns between kickoffs and punts – none more memorable than the 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts.
Hester also had a 108-yard return for a touchdown on a missed field goal against the Giants on Nov. 12, 2006. That was part of a rookie season in which Hester led the NFL wtih three punt returns for TDs and two kickoff returns for TDs.
That could open the Hall of Fame to more returners. Critics might wonder if Hester belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at all. Yet when you look at Hester's career stats in the kickoff and punt return game, you realize how much he changed the game.
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How many return men are in the Hall of Fame?
Hester will be the first return specialist to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There are four kickers – Morten Andersen, Jan Stenerud, Lou Groza and George Blanda – in the Hall of Fame. Ray Guy is the only punter in the Hall of Fame.
Where did Devin Hester go to college?
Hester emerged as an excellent returner in college with the Miami Hurricanes. In three seasons, he returned four punt returns for TDs and two kickoff returns for TDs. He averaged 15.6 yards per punt return and 25.6 yards per kickoff return for his career. He also returned a block field goal for a touchdown and finished his career with five interceptions as a cornerback. The highlight reel from his time with the Hurricanes is amazing.
Hester was selected with a second-round pick (No. 57 overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2006 NFL Draft.
How many punt return TDs did Devin Hester have in the NFL?
Hester is the all-time NFL leader with 14 punt returns for touchdowns – a record that is the center of his Pro Football Hall of Fame case. Hester had three punt returns for TDs as a rookie and four more in his second season.
He set that tone with an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown in his first game against the rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 10, 2006.
Here is a look at every Hester punt return touchdown, many of which were accompanied by wild events on the field:
| DATE | OPPONENT | YARDS | NOTABLE |
| Sept. 10, 2006 | at Green Bay | 84 | Hester scored in NFL debut |
| Oct. 6, 2006 | at Arizona | 83 | Led to Dennis Green's "The Bears are who we thought they were" rant |
| Dec. 3, 2006 | vs. Minnesota | 45 | Opened scoring in 23-13 victory |
| Sept. 26, 2007 | vs. Kansas City | 73 | Bears won 20-10 against Chiefs |
| Oct. 14, 2007 | vs. Minnesota | 89 | Hester also scored 81-yard TD catch in 34-31 loss |
| Nov. 25, 2007 | vs. Denver | 75 | Hester also scored on a 88-yard kickoff return in the third quarter |
| Dec. 30, 2007 | vs. New Orleans | 64 | Hester also scored on a 55-yard TD pass |
| Sept. 27, 2010 | vs. Green Bay | 62 | Hester scored go-ahead TD in 20-17 MNF matchup |
| Oct. 17, 2010 | vs. Seattle | 89 | Tied longest punt return of his career in 23-20 loss |
| Dec. 20, 2010 | at Minnesota | 64 | Hester also scored on 15-yard TD reception |
| Oct. 2, 2011 | vs. Carolina | 69 | Broke Eric Metcalf's all-time record for punt return TDs |
| Nov. 13, 2011 | vs. Detroit | 82 | Broke open 37-13 win against the Lions |
| Oct. 20, 2013 | at Washington | 81 | Bears lost a 45-41 shootout to Washington |
| Sept. 18, 2014 | vs. Tampa Bay | 62 | Hester's final punt return TD was in a Falcons uniform |
How many kickoff return TDs did Devin Hester have in the NFL?
Hester had five kickoff returns for touchdowns in the regular season and one in the postseason with the 92-yard kickoff return for a TD against the Colts in Super Bowl XLI.
As a rookie, Hester had two kickoff returns for touchdowns against the Rams in a 42-27 victory on Dec. 11, 2006. Hester had two kickoff return TDs in 2007. He scored on a 97-yard return against Detroit on Sept. 30, 2007 and had an 88-yard kickoff return TD against Denver on Nov. 25, 2007. Hester also had a punt return for a TD agianst the Broncos in that game.
Hester had a 98-yard kickoff return for a TD against Minnesota on Oct. 16, 2011.
Devin Hester career kickoff, punt return yard totals
Hester ranks third all time in career punt return yards with 3,695. Brian Mitchell (4,999) and Dave Meggett (3,708) rank first and second, respectively. Hester also ranks 12th all time in career punt return yards (7,333).
Hester led the NFL in punt return yardage in 2006 and 2010 and kickoff return yardage in 2013 and 2014.
Devin Hester's kickoff return TD opened Super Bowl XLI
Hester opened Super Bowl XLI with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. Hester became the first player to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Other NFL return specialists who could make Hall of Fame
With Hester in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a few other returners might be considered in the future. Here is a look at a few potential returners that could be up for consideration. Keep in mind kickoff return rules are changing in 2024 – so these players might be judged differently in the future.
Brian Mitchell
Mitchell played 14 NFL seasons and is the all-time leader in career kickoff returns yards (14,014) and punt return yards (4,999). He spent 10 seasons in Washington, three years in Philadelphia and one season with the New York Giants.
Joshua Cribbs
Cribbs was a fan favorite in Cleveland, and he had eight kickoff returns for TDs and three punt returns for touchdowns with Cleveland.
Eric Metcalf
Metcalf also starred in Cleveland. He had 10 career punt return TDs and two kickoff returns for TDs. He played for seven different teams from 1989-2002.
Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson is the all-time NFL leader with nine kickoff returns for TDs. Patterson ranks ninth all time with 7,989 career kickoff return yards and could be an intriguing player with those new rules with the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.