http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?storyId=10559764&city=chicago&src=desktop
Devin Hester won't return to Bears
ESPN.com news services | March 5, 2014
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
CHICAGO -- Record-setting returner Devin Hester said Wednesday he will not be back with the Chicago Bears next season.
"From my knowledge, I know that Chicago wants to go a different route with me," Hester told the NFL Network. "All I can say is thanks to the fans for their support. They've always been great to me. Always been loyal. I couldn't have played for a better city than those guys. At the end of my career, I do want to retire as a member of the Bears."
Scott Kane/USA TODAY Sports
Record-setting returner Devin Hester says he will not be back with the Chicago Bears next season.
He added the Bears are "parting ways" with him.
Hester later posted his thanks to Bears fans on his Facebook page.
"To all my Chicago people ... I can't thank you all enough for my time in Chicago," he wrote. "I've always said I wanted to retire a Chicago Bear but sometimes things don't work out the way we would like. Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart and if I am fortunate enough to break the return record, we will have all broken it together ... no matter where I am. Thank you again and God Bless."
The Bears declined comment.
It looks as if Hester will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent after an eight-year run with the Bears that produced no shortage of highlights.
He matched Hall of Famer Deion Sanders' NFL record with his 19th return for a touchdown last season, tying his friend and mentor with an 81-yard punt return at Washington in October. It was Hester's 13th punt return for a TD, extending his own record in that category.
He has also returned five kickoffs and one missed field goal for touchdowns.
A three-time Pro Bowl pick, Hester is best remembered by Bears fans for returning the opening kickoff in the 2007 Super Bowl for a touchdown. He ran it back 92 yards for a score in a game the Bears went on to lose to Indianapolis.
Hester endured several lulls on returns during his career, particularly when the Bears tried to make him a receiver. But he showed some of his old form while focusing solely on returns last season.
His touchdown return against Washington was his first in nearly two years. Hester led the NFL with a career-high 1,436 kick return yards on a league-high 52 tries, and he returned five kickoffs for a team-record 249 yards against Minnesota in September.
Now, it looks like he's moving on.
Hester expressed interest in reuniting with former coach Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay.
"I look at Lovie as my number one coach right now because he's the one that took a chance on me coming out of the draft," Hester said. "He has all my respect so if he's a guy that is going to shoot at me and want me to come play with him again, my arms are open."
The news from Hester comes on the same day the Bears terminated the contract of punter Adam Podlesh and signed defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff to a two-year deal.
A four-time Pro Bowl pick, Ratliff started four of the five games he played in after signing with Chicago in November. He spent the first six weeks with Dallas on the physically unable to perform list before being released in mid-October, with the Cowboys saying he failed a physical. Ratliff missed the final six games in 2012 with a groin injury that required surgery.
The Bears, who had one of their worst defensive seasons ever, saw enough good things to bring him back.
Ratliff had 14½ tackles and 1½ sacks with Chicago. In nine seasons with the Cowboys and Bears, he has 331½ tackles and 28½ sacks.
The Bears have signed 10 players who were due to become unrestricted free agents March 11, most of any team in the NFL.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Devin Hester won't return to Bears
ESPN.com news services | March 5, 2014
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
CHICAGO -- Record-setting returner Devin Hester said Wednesday he will not be back with the Chicago Bears next season.
"From my knowledge, I know that Chicago wants to go a different route with me," Hester told the NFL Network. "All I can say is thanks to the fans for their support. They've always been great to me. Always been loyal. I couldn't have played for a better city than those guys. At the end of my career, I do want to retire as a member of the Bears."
Scott Kane/USA TODAY Sports
Record-setting returner Devin Hester says he will not be back with the Chicago Bears next season.
He added the Bears are "parting ways" with him.
Hester later posted his thanks to Bears fans on his Facebook page.
"To all my Chicago people ... I can't thank you all enough for my time in Chicago," he wrote. "I've always said I wanted to retire a Chicago Bear but sometimes things don't work out the way we would like. Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart and if I am fortunate enough to break the return record, we will have all broken it together ... no matter where I am. Thank you again and God Bless."
The Bears declined comment.
It looks as if Hester will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent after an eight-year run with the Bears that produced no shortage of highlights.
He matched Hall of Famer Deion Sanders' NFL record with his 19th return for a touchdown last season, tying his friend and mentor with an 81-yard punt return at Washington in October. It was Hester's 13th punt return for a TD, extending his own record in that category.
He has also returned five kickoffs and one missed field goal for touchdowns.
A three-time Pro Bowl pick, Hester is best remembered by Bears fans for returning the opening kickoff in the 2007 Super Bowl for a touchdown. He ran it back 92 yards for a score in a game the Bears went on to lose to Indianapolis.
Hester endured several lulls on returns during his career, particularly when the Bears tried to make him a receiver. But he showed some of his old form while focusing solely on returns last season.
His touchdown return against Washington was his first in nearly two years. Hester led the NFL with a career-high 1,436 kick return yards on a league-high 52 tries, and he returned five kickoffs for a team-record 249 yards against Minnesota in September.
Now, it looks like he's moving on.
Hester expressed interest in reuniting with former coach Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay.
"I look at Lovie as my number one coach right now because he's the one that took a chance on me coming out of the draft," Hester said. "He has all my respect so if he's a guy that is going to shoot at me and want me to come play with him again, my arms are open."
The news from Hester comes on the same day the Bears terminated the contract of punter Adam Podlesh and signed defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff to a two-year deal.
A four-time Pro Bowl pick, Ratliff started four of the five games he played in after signing with Chicago in November. He spent the first six weeks with Dallas on the physically unable to perform list before being released in mid-October, with the Cowboys saying he failed a physical. Ratliff missed the final six games in 2012 with a groin injury that required surgery.
The Bears, who had one of their worst defensive seasons ever, saw enough good things to bring him back.
Ratliff had 14½ tackles and 1½ sacks with Chicago. In nine seasons with the Cowboys and Bears, he has 331½ tackles and 28½ sacks.
The Bears have signed 10 players who were due to become unrestricted free agents March 11, most of any team in the NFL.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Now that Ray Guy finally broke down the P barrier, and Jan Stenerud had already broke down the K barrier, Hester should break down the Returner barrier when he's eligible. Problem is, the HOF is so terribly backlogged, limiting only 5 Current players a year entry. A guy like Will Shields should have been a 1st ballot guy, and he's missed it 2 years running.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nf...ff&p.bgc1m=%230964bf&p.bgc2m=%23053a74&sr=amp
Return-man Devin Hester retires after 11 seasons
Published: Dec 12, 2017 at 11:17 am
Updated: Dec 12, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Kevin Patra
Kevin Patra
Around the NFL writer
Devin Hester career highlights
Devin Hester will not make another late-season appearance.
The NFL's all-time leader in punt-return touchdowns announced he's hanging up his cleats.
Return-man Devin Hester retires after 11 seasons
Published: Dec 12, 2017 at 11:17 am
Updated: Dec 12, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Kevin Patra
Kevin Patra
Around the NFL writer
Devin Hester career highlights
Devin Hester will not make another late-season appearance.
The NFL's all-time leader in punt-return touchdowns announced he's hanging up his cleats.
