Hester sets record for punt return touchdowns
Devin Hester officially became the most prolific punt-returner in NFL history, when he went 69 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter.
It was Hester's 11th punt-return touchdown, which gave him sole possession of the NFL record, breaking his tie with Eric Metcalf. Metcalf got his 10 touchdowns on 351 returns; Hester's 11 scores have come on just 182 opportunities. It was Hester's 15th kick-return touchdown, including punt and kickoff returns, but he already held that record.
“To be labeled as the greatest person at a position is a great honor,” Hester said. “I have to give credit to my teammates.”
Hester is nothing if not efficient. Prior to the game's final play, when he scooped up a bouncing, pooched kickoff and eventually fell down in bounds so time would expire in the Bears' 34-29 victory, he touched the ball twice.
The first time, he fielded a kickoff 9 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 73 yards to set up the Bears' second touchdown. His second touch was the punt-return TD that came three minutes and five seconds later. That's how long it took Hester to whip into a frenzy the 59,546 fans who turned out at Soldier Field on a perfect day for football, and to turn the tide of the game by giving the Bears a 24-10 lead.
“He's fun to watch,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “The guy is so electric. As soon as he touches the ball, you know something's going to happen. I'm glad he's on our squad.”
With the new rule moving kickoffs up to the 35-yard line, most opponents can avoid the Hester threat by kicking the ball out of the end zone, and it's almost a shock when they allow him to field a punt.
“I'm just glad they continue to,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “He's a weapon. Devin hadn't had a lot of big returns so far, so I can see why teams have chosen to kick the ball to him. They may think twice now.”
On his record-setting return, Hester fielded a line drive, took two hard steps to the right, cut back to the left, broke an arm tackle by linebacker Thomas Williams, outran everyone else and somersaulted three times in the end zone to celebrate.
“You could tell the punter (Jason Baker) had a bad hit on the ball,” Hester said. “He didn't get much air time on it. Whenever I get a kick like that I've got an opportunity to pretty much freeze the defense. Guys, when they're being blocked, see the first reaction of the returner and they go off the first move. I just want to draw everybody to the right side and hopefully get it back to the left.”
This time it worked to perfection.
“It's amazing to watch him,” said running back Matt Forte, who was fairly amazing himself with 205 rushing yards. “He adds a whole other dimension to our team. When you're in a tight game and you get a score from special teams, it gives you emotion.”
No return man in NFL history has ever supplied more emotion than Hester.