Bears' Hester grabs special teams award
As he rewrites the NFL record books with every kick return score he collects, Devin Hester of the Bears is also climbing up the NFL ladder for weekly honors.
Hester was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after recording 122 punt return yards against the Detroit Lions on three returns, including an 82-yard punt return touchdown.
It marks the 12th Special Teams Player of the Week award for hester and his third of the season. Hester joins John Carney (13), Jerry Rice (13) and Adam Vinatieri (13) as the only non-QBs to win 12 Player of the Week honors in their career.
Hester's touchdown was the 17th kick return score of his career (12 punt, five kickoff), which extended his NFL record. The touchdown was the 18th return touchdown (12 punt, five kickoff, one missed field goal) of his career, second most in NFL history surpassing Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (17), trailing Hall of Famer Deion Sanders (19).
Most NFL weekly award winners
Since 1984, these NFL players have collected the most Player of the Week awards:
1. Peyton Manning, 21
2. Tom Brady, 19
3. Dan Marino, 18
4. Brett Favre, 16
5. John Elway, 15
6. Drew Brees, 13
6. John Carney, 13
6. Joe Montana, 13
6. Jerry Rice, 13
6. Adam Vinatieri, 13
11. Devin Hester, 12
11. Boomer Esiason, 12
11. Steve Young, 12
Note: The weekly award was first given to offensive and defensive performers in 1984, and first given to Special Teams performers in 1993.
Source: Chicago Bears