Hester, Forte retire as Chicago Bears
Devin Hester is likely to become the first kick-return specialist to earn a spot in the NFL Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio, based strictly on his special-teams play.
Matt Forte playing for a team with arguably the greatest roster of running backs in NFL history became its second-leading rusher and second in total yards from scrimmage behind only Walter Payton and with almost twice as many yards as legends Bronco Nagurski, Red Grange and Gale Sayers, to name just a few.
Forte also set the all-time NFL record for receptions by a back in a single season with 102 in 2014.
Together their only pro football regrets are not having won a Super Bowl ring … and not being able to play their entire careers in Chicago.
But Monday, four years after Hester left for Atlanta and two seasons after Forte left to join the New York Jets, the two Bears greats came home.
In a special ceremony at Halas Hall announcing Hester's and Forte's retirements as Chicago Bears, team chairman George McCaskey first introduced Hester, saying, "When Devin Hester was leaving in 2014 I called him to wish him well and he said when it came time, he wanted to retire a Bear. To know that it was that important to him means the world to us.
"Earlier this year the Hall Of Fame selection committee did the right thing and voted to induct Devin's teammate Brian Urlacher.
"We're confident that in time the selection committee will do the right thing and have Devin take his place among the game's immortals in Canton."
It is perhaps ironic that two of the greatest Bears of all time also were two of the quietest and most soft-spoken to wear the navy and orange.
Hester was deeply emotional and visibly shaken, saying, "It's an honor and a privilege to be in this family. I appreciate you guys. To Mrs. McCaskey, who is not here today, please tell her I love her and will always respect her."
When Forte's turn came, McCaskey again tried to express where the running back ranked in the game's rich history.
"As a fan he was just a joy to watch, a superior athlete and frequently the best player on the field," McCaskey said. "He is among the best in a long line of great Bears running backs; Grange, Nagurski, (George) McAffee, (Rick) Casares, (Willie) Galimore, (Neal) Anderson and, of course, Payton.
"You can put Forte right in there."
Forte was gracious and humble saying, "This is a walk down memory lane. I'm standing here today full of emotion, but I'm not sad. I'm not disappointed.
"I'm grateful for how long I've been able to play, the impact I was able to have on the field, and off the field. I'm grateful that God allowed me to have this talent and showcase it for his glory."
When I asked Hester if it was important to him to eventually land in Canton, he said, "It's very important. To be considered one of the greatest of all time is every player's dream.
"I did some things that have never been done, and for the first time other teams had to game plan around a return team.
"I don't really get into 'will he make it as a return man,' but sometime you've got to put a guy into the Hall of Fame for being the most dangerous guy on the field."
After saying of his friend and teammate, "The greatest returner of all time and I had the best seat in the house to be able to see it," Forte said he had a deep love for the city he will now call home and the fans who worshipped him.
"I think the love has grown for the city and I appreciate being here and I appreciate the fan," Forte said of Chicago. "You know how die-hard the fans are, once you play for the Bears, you're a Bear for life, and they treat you that way.
"And being able to have eight years here is a great thing that I can hold on to and remember and tell my kids about."
• Hub Arkush, the executive editor of Pro Football Weekly, can be reached at harkush@profootballweekly.com or on Twitter @Hub_Arkush.