On Wednesday night time, the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame revealed its 15 modern-era finalists for the 2024 class. One compelling candidate is Devin Hester, arguably the best returner in league historical past.
Hester performed with 4 groups in 11 seasons, starring for the Chicago Bears from 2006-13. Per StatMuse, he has the NFL file for return TDs (20). He additionally earned three first-team All-Professional nods and made 4 Professional Bowls.
Nonetheless, some really feel he would not belong. When Hester missed the minimize this previous February, HOF voter and longtime NFL author Dan Pompei famous specialists play on fewer snaps, hurting their case.
“There was forwards and backwards,” Pompei stated of the choice course of, per the Bears’ website. “It was just a little contentious as a result of there have been quite a few selectors who imagine {that a} particular groups participant should not be as validated as a participant who performs 65 snaps a recreation, and there was some forwards and backwards about that.”
For context, HOFer Deion Sanders — who performed for 14 seasons — is second in return TDs (19), however he additionally starred at cornerback and gained 1994 Defensive Participant of The Yr.
Nonetheless, Hester has historic significance, and that ought to rely for one thing. In Tremendous Bowl XLI, he grew to become the first player to return the opening kickoff for a TD within the recreation’s historical past.