Devin Hester reached the finals for the second year in a row in Hall of Fame voting. The greatest return man in NFL history deserves to be in. Chicago Bears fans are united on this point. Even plenty of fans and experts around the country agree. Yet the Hall of Fame voters control the final say, and they left him out again in favor of others like Joe Thomas, Darrelle Revis, Demarcus Ware, Zach Thomas, and Joe Klecko. Plenty of people were upset. Perhaps none more so than Deion Sanders.
Hester and the Hall of Fame cornerback have a relationship going back many years. The Bears icon idolized Sanders growing up and even mimicked those classic Primetime celebrations when scoring touchdowns. Sanders saw himself as somewhat of a father figure to Hester, calling him “his baby” whenever he watched highlights during game recaps. He’s never wavered on the fact that Hester is the greatest ever to do what he did on the football field. So one can imagine how furious Sanders was when the returner was left out of Canton again. His rant on Fansided tells the story.
Deion Sanders is not only angry, but he’s also right.
Nobody accomplished what Hester did before or since. The definition of a Hall of Famer is somebody that changed the game. He made it must-see TV every single time he stood back there for a punt or kickoff return. People can’t name a single return man who garnered that kind of buzz. It is often said a Hall of Fame player is somebody that must be mentioned when discussing certain eras of football. People can’t talk about the 1980s without Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Eric Dickerson, and Lawrence Taylor. It is the same with Hester.
When talking about the 2000s, people can navigate it without mentioning what Hester did in 2006 and 2007, scoring a combined 11 return touchdowns and providing an all-time signature moment on the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI. He accomplished everything there is to accomplish. He has the all-time record for return touchdowns. He has a singular playoff moment everybody remembers. There is no argument against him other than the outdated fact he was a special teams guy and they don’t “play enough snaps” to deserve entry.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Deion Sanders is among many who think that’s stupid. He is correct.
It’s all just a turtle’s dream in outer space.
Not enough snaps? Seriously? That’s the argument? Fine. Here’s my counter. Devin did more with less ‘snaps’ returning kicks than anyone else in the history of the league. That’s not an opinion. That’s a statistical fact. Here’s another one. No one inducted this year has been called the greatest at the position they played. Great yes. Worthy yes. But Devin isn’t ‘arguably’ the greatest return man ever. He IS the greatest return man ever. And yes, that’s another statistical FACT! Finally, special teams guys don’t make it to the Hall. Oh, you mean except for the four kickers currently in… Read more »
preach
How many more TD’s would Hester have if teams weren’t purposefully trying to not kick him the ball? This is the definition of someone who changed the game. The Hall of Fame Voters and AP voters are a joke. Lance Briggs has an identical stat line to Zach Thomas, but because he played OLB, where Edge rushers get the All Pro and Pro Bowl nods, he’s doesn’t even get a mention. Devin and Lance should be in the Hall. Pure politics, pure BS.
Everything was lining up perfectly for the Bears and Devin Hester. The greatest return man in NFL history, who wore number 23, should have been elected to the Hall Of Fame in 2023 where the Bears hold the #1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. I shouldn’t have to say what the number 23 means to the city of Chicago in its sports history and I’m not just talking about Michael Jordan, but also Ryne Sandberg, and yes, Devin Hester.