Hester says it won't stop with record
Now that Devin Hester has become the most prolific kick-returner in the history of the NFL in less than five seasons, there is another question to tackle:
How far will Hester extend the record it took Brian Mitchell 14 years to establish?
Hester probably can answer the question better than anyone else, and he's certain that he will be increasing the record soon — and often.
“Right now I can say that the Chicago Bears are the best punt-return team to ever do this, and we're not going to stop,” Hester said. “There are going to be plenty more, so don't dwell on this record breaker because there are going to be a lot more than this. I guarantee you that.”
Hester's 64-yard punt-return TD Monday night gave him a combined total of 14, with 10 on punts and 4 on kickoffs. In his first five seasons, Mitchell had 6 punt-return touchdowns but none on kickoffs.
Hester's return against the Minnesota Vikings also moved him into a tie with Eric Metcalf for the NFL record for career punt-return touchdowns. Metcalf, who played 13 seasons, got his 10 punt-return TDs on 351 attempts. Hester got his 10th on his 174th attempt.
Mitchell scored his 13 touchdowns in 223 games; Hester has 14 in 74 games. Mitchell had 1,070 career returns and Hester has 286.
While Hester is supremely confident about his ability to get into the end zone, he always has been quick to credit the other 10 members of the return team, as well as special-teams coordinator Dave Toub and assistant Chris Tabor.
“I know the success is from those guys,” Hester said of his blockers. “I hate sitting here and taking all the glory. I wish those other 10 guys were up here and you were asking them questions because they deserve to be up here. I love them. All the glory goes to them.
“The other 10 guys, they wanted it more than me. I wanted it bad. But I could tell they wanted it badder than me. And that's why I'm glad that God put me on a team like this.”
Bears players are genuinely glad that Hester is on their team, and it's not just because he can change field position in the blink of an eye. His teammates know how hard Hester works and how humble he is.
“He's been flirting with it for the past three or four games,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “We knew it was just a matter of time. He's been working hard for it. It's such an accomplishment at such a young stage in his career. He's a game-changer, and I'm glad he's on our team.”
For some NFL players, blocking on special teams is a chore or a necessary evil, but for Bears players it's an opportunity to be part of something special.
“You want to get on that team when you have a returner like Devin,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “You want to be a part of history, and that's what happened (Monday) night.
“And that's who he is. He's a humble guy; a great guy. He'll do anything for you. He's one of those guys that you want up top representing, in this case, the returns.
“He's a special player. He's to the point now, where every time he touches the football, you think that he can score.”
Follow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.