Former Chicago Bears special teams weapon and wide receiver Devin Hester is one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.On Wednesday, Hester was named among 14 other finalists to potentially be selected into to the Class of 2024.
This is the third year in a row in which Hester was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known by many as the greatest returner in NFL history, it’s finally time for Hester to get his long awaited recognition.
Hester spent 12 seasons in the NFL and is the league’s all-time leader with 20 return touchdowns. He scored 19 of those 20 touchdowns as a member of the Bears between 2006-2013.
The Bears drafted Hester in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. With the Bears, Hester was named to three All-Pros and three Pro Bowls (two of which came during his first two seasons in the NFL).
In Chicago, Hester recorded 217 receptions for 2,807 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. As a returner, Hester had 5,504 kickoff return yards, 3,241 punt return yards, five kickoff return touchdowns, and 13 punt return touchdowns.
Hester holds the NFL records for most the career return touchdowns (20), most career punt return touchdowns (14), and most return touchdowns in a single season (6) which he set with the Bears in 2007. He was also named to both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams.
The following players were also named as finalists for the Class of 2024: Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Dwight Freeney, Antonio Gates, Rodney Harrison, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Fred Taylor, Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis, and Darren Woodson.
From this group of 15 finalists, a maximum of five will be enshrined this year. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be inducted during NFL Honors, which takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 8th.
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