Devin Hester: One Touch is One Too Many
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by user Clayton St. John Smythe Esq.
As the Cubs and White Sox seasons grind to a halt, locals are looking for that pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow (and I’m not talking PRIDE Parade here, Mr. Stiles) Look no further than the ’07 Chicago Bears, who in the off season have added remarkable speed to their offense in 1st rounder TE Greg Olsen, 3rd round RB Garrett Wolfe and moving sensational special teams TD return artist Devin Hester to the scoring side of Da ball.
After a RIDICULOUS record breaking rookie season, in which the “Windy City Flyer” returned 5 kicks for touchdowns, longest return (108 yds), Most TD returns in one game (2), and Most TD returns as a rookie (6 – including the Super Bowl’s opening kickoff), Devin Hester had changed the face of special teams play in the NFL. But alas, it was inevitable that Hester’s playmaking havoc in ’06 would have to be hindered in his sophomore season.
No one wants to kick to “Anytime” Devin Hester anymore.
While Hester was adamant about sticking to his Hurricane roots and developing at corner, after a little encouragement from Bears OC Ron Turner and Coach Lovie Smith, Devin embraced the team’s efforts to see him on offense.
Hester’s impact on the overall game of professional football has been made abundantly clear, and the kid has quickly become somewhat of a superstar to boot. But the plays made are still a day’s wage for the young buck, which is almost as refreshing as his gameplay, in an era of sensational celebrity, excessive endorsements, and outrageous off-field antics. With Linebacker Lance Briggs holding out for big money and Alex Brown seeking a contract-breaking trade, Hester’s sentiments coupled with his amazing athleticism are just what this Bears team needs. “We had several meetings until I just really said that there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’ and however I can help the team I’m willing to do it,” Hester said.
Offense it is, and it should prove to be great news for a team which rarely gets props for any weapon besides Da D. So instead of watching the Cubs’ dugout disasters and the White Sox sucking like the suckiest sucks that ever sucked, here are some greatest Hester hits as a Hurricane for summer soothing (‘cause I know everyone has seen the 06 Bears season highlights over and over and over….)
For all the skeptics, Hester has shown he has hands for the pass in training camp. If he can just digest the playbook lining up at RB and wideout, he’s bound to find end zone pay dirt at will, and any given Sunday will be “Anytime” for the Chicago Bears offense. If not, he’ll be making NFL history as the greatest decoy threat ever known, because just one touch will be one too many.
