Chicago Bears Part Ways With Devin Hester

Chicago Bears fans will never again hear the phrase, “Devin Hester, you are RIDICULOUS,” coined by Bears color analyst, Jeff Joniak, and screamed out as Hester streaked down the sidelines for another Bears touchdown.

After eight action packed seasons, the Chicago Bears and Devin Hester are parting ways. Hester will likely go down in Bear, and NFL, history as the most explosive return man in the history of the game. Hester spoke to the NFL Network and acknowledged the parting:

“From my knowledge, I know that Chicago wants to go a different route with me. All I can say is thanks to the fans (for) the support. Always been great to me, always been loyal. I couldn’t want to play for a better city than those guys.”

The Bears confirmed Hester’s departure via a statement from general manager Phil Emery.

On Wednesday night, Hester posted this message to Bears fans on his Facebook page:

“To all my Chicago people…I can’t thank you all enough for my time in Chicago. 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.”

While with the Chicago bears, Hester tied the NFL mark with 19 kicks returned for touchdowns; a record he shares with Deion Sanders. He has returned 13 punts for touchdowns (an NFL record), and five kickoffs and one missed field goal for touchdowns.

Hester is best remembered by Bears fans for his kickoff return in the Super Bowl against Indianapolis in 2007. He ran it back 92 yards for a score in a game the Bears eventually went on to lose. He is a three time Pro Bowler as a member of the Bears. Unfortunately, Bears fans will also remember the decline in Hester’s play when the team tried to force him into the position of the number one receiver.

In 2013, 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 Chicago Bear record 249 yards against Minnesota in September.

Devin has expressed interest in reuniting with former coach Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay, but it remains to be seen if Lovie also is interested in that reunion.

Whether the Bears miss Hester this season is still up for debate. What isn’t debatable is that he was the greatest returner, and one of the most popular Bears, of all time. While in his prime, rival teams had to game plan around Hester, which led to a shortened field for the Bears.

Hester was one of the best number 23s to play in Chicago, and there have been a number of “pretty good” men to wear that number. Devin Hester, you were ridiculous!

[Image via Off The Record Sports]