NFL Atlanta Falcons

Devin Hester Belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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By @petahrahgas

Devin Hester

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The torch has been passed from “Prime Time” to “Ridiculous Time”.

On Thursday Night Football, Devin Hester returned Michael Koenen‘s punt 62 yards to the house, scoring his 20th special teams touchdown, beating the record of 19 touchdowns set by Hall of Fame cornerback/punt returner/swag captain Deion Sanders. The Atlanta Falcons went on to make a mockery of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, beating them 56-14. In a game this lopsided, Hester’s record play was easily the highlight.

You would think that of all the coaches in the NFL, Lovie Smith would know more than anyone NOT to kick to Hester. (For those who are unaware, Smith was the head coach for the Chicago Bears and coached Hester for seven years.) But he didn’t learn I guess and now let history happen. Unless it was all a conspiracy and he and Hester planned — sorry, now I’m getting ridiculous.

Now with the NFL record for most kick return/punt return/missed field goal returns for touchdowns, the natural next question is will Hester make the Hall of Fame as a kick returner?

Now first I understand there is no position kick returner and that players tend to be listed as wide receivers or cornerbacks or running backs, but Hester was none of those. So far in his career, Hester has 224 catches for 2,933 yards and 14 touchdowns. For comparison’s sake, Jason Avant who was also drafted in 2006 — and who is a good wide receiver but will never ever be a Hall of Famer — has 303 career catches for 3,700 yards and 13 touchdowns. Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, in one season, has had 122 catches and 1,964 receiving yards (in 2012) and had 16 touchdowns (in 2011). Needless to say, Hester’s receiving numbers will not carry him into the Hall of Fame.

Gale Sayers and Sanders are the two most notable special teamers currently in the Hall of Fame, but both players didn’t get in purely based on special teams. Sanders was arguably the best, at least showiest, corner ever to play, and Sayers was an All-Pro running back who still holds the record for most touchdowns in a single game (the record is six for those who want to try and beat it). Making it into the Hall purely based on your special teams contributions has not been done before, but it will happen with Hester. 

The Hall is to celebrate the best players to ever play the game of football, whether you are a quarterback, offensive lineman, linebacker or a kicker, if you are the best to play, you deserve the Hall of Fame. Hester has always been in the conversation as best returner ever, and last night he took the title completely. There has never been a better kick/punt returner in the history of the NFL.

Hester deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

At the very least, he knows he’ll have Prime Time’s vote:

https://twitter.com/DeionSanders/status/512777631972868096

Peter Rogers is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @petahrahgas, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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