As the NFL prepares to unveil its Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 on Thursday night at NFL Honors, I’m here to remind you why former Bears return specialist Devin Hester is deserving to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Sure, there are only four special teams players in the Hall of Fame — all four of them kickers. But when you’re the greatest to ever play your position — special teams or not — that should be an automatic bid into football’s most honored fraternity.
Given Hester is a finalist for the Hall of Fame, it’s pretty much a lock that he gets in at some point. But there’s an argument to be made why he deserves to get in on his first try.
Here’s why Hester not only deserves to be in the Hall of Fame but why he should get in on his first year of eligibility.
