Bears great Devin Hester was snubbed for the second year in a row when the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023 was announced Thursday night at the NFL Honors show in Phoenix.
Hester is the greatest return specialist of all time, and there’s no doubt that the former Bears playmaker will take his rightful place in Canton as a member of the Hall of Fame. Just not on his second try.
The Hall of Fame class of 2023 consists of: modern-era selections Joe Thomas, Darrelle Revis, DeMarcus Ware, Zach Thomas and Ronde Barber; Joe Klecko, Chuck Howley and Ken Riley from the senior candidates; and coach/contributor Don Coryell.
There’s been plenty of debate about whether Hester belongs in the Hall of Fame considering he was a special teams player and no player has made it in solely because of return specialist status. But there’s something to be said about being the best ever at a position. And Hester is just that.
Hester would’ve been the 31st Bears player enshrined in Canton and only the fifth special teams player in the Hall of Fame. His impressive resume features four Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro recognitions, the most punt return touchdowns in NFL history (14), and the most non-offensive touchdowns ever (20).
Hester was a modern-era finalist for the second straight year, an indication that he will get into the Hall eventually.
