| File:HesterProBowl07.jpg | |||
No. 23, 17, 14 | |||
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| Wide Receiver | |||
Personal information | |||
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Career information | |||
| College: Miami (FL) | |||
| NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 2 / Pick: 57 | |||
| Debuted in 2006 for the Chicago Bears | |||
Career history
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Career highlights and awards
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Devin Hester (born November 4, 1982) is an American former football player who played wide receiver and return specialist. He is an alumnus of the University of Miami (FL), where he became the first person in the university’s recent history to play on all three teams of American football (offense, defense, special teams). Hester began his professional career with the Chicago Bears in 2006, and quickly made an impact as a kick returner. Dubbed the "Windy City Flyer" and "Anytime", Hester holds the league's all-time record for most kicks returned for a touchdown in a season. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks over his eleven-season NFL career.
Early Years[]
Devin Hester was born to Juanita Brown and Lenorris Hester Sr. in Riviera Beach, Florida. His parents separated while he was a toddler. Before he became a teenager, his mother was severely injured in car accident, while his father died of cancer two years later. His step-father, Derrick Brown, and brother, Lenorris Jr., helped Hester escape his depression, and rebuild his life by introducing him to football. He soon returned to his normal life, and began to excel in sports and academics
Hester attended Suncoast High School, where he played football as a cornerback, wide receiver, return specialist, and running back. He earned recognition from SuperPrep.com as the top high school prospect in Florida, and Parade, who named Hester onto their All-American team. Hester also participated in the 2002 CaliFlorida Bowl, where he returned a kick for an 80-yard touchdown. His success prompted his teammates to nickname him "Sugar Foot".
During his youth, Hester enjoyed following the Dallas Cowboys. He especially idolized Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. He was also a fan of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson era. Fred Taylor of the University of Florida was Hester's favorite athlete. In addition to football, he also enjoyed playing soccer and following baseball.