Devin Hester has a chance to become the first-ever return man to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was announced the Chicago Bears icon was one of 26 semifinalists for the honor in the 2022 class. This has created the obvious debate as to whether he is deserving compared to other players who did their greatest work on offense or defense. For many years it has felt like specialists don’t get the recognition they deserve. That might finally be changing but is it enough to get Hester in on his first shot? For Chris Tabor, it isn’t even a discussion.
The Bears special teams coordinator has personal experience with Hester going back many years. From both sides. He coached him as an assistant from 2008 to 2010 and then against him when he moved on to Cleveland from 2011 to 2017. So he’s gotten the full depth of the Hester experience and can only laugh at people who think the guy isn’t a Hall of Famer. He made the argument simple during his weekly press conference.
Everybody also has a Hester memory.
Tabor has plenty to choose from. The game-changing return against the Packers in 2010. His record-breaking punt return against the Vikings in snowy Minnesota. However, one memory continues to stick with him. Ironically from when Tabor had to coach against the all-time returner. This took place in 2014 when Hester had become a member of the Atlanta Falcons who were visiting Cleveland.
That was truly the mystique of Devin Hester. Guys like Chris Tabor knew and dreaded what could happen if you put the ball in his hands. The returner had already housed a missed field goal in his career once before against the New York Giants. So he no doubt felt he could do it again. If not for the heroic hustle of rookie offensive lineman Joel Bitonio, it is likely Hester would’ve scored. That effort proved crucial as Cleveland escaped with a 26-24 win.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
