WR Devin Hester: Wideouts Perform Well Despite Defeat
by John M. Crist of BearReport.com, September 14, 2009 at 1:29am ET

Devin Hester Profile

The battle at wide receiver sure looked like a mismatch on paper, with the Packers featuring more than a few proven targets and the Bears still hoping to answer some questions, but the Chicago pass catchers held their own Sunday in Green Bay.

While the Packers did escape Lambeau Field with a 21-15 victory over their arch rivals, Devin Hester and Co. played well for the Bears and made a few big plays when given the opportunity – even with new QB Jay Cutler throwing the ball to the wrong team at a dizzying pace. Hester had a team-high 90 receiving yards and also hauled in Cutler's first career TD pass in a Chicago uniform, a 36-yard beauty down the right sideline. Second-year pro Earl Bennett led the club with seven receptions, which is seven more than he caught all of last year, plus rookie Johnny Knox provided some explosiveness with a 68-yard bomb deep down the right side.

It was assumed that tight end Greg Olsen and running back Matt Forte would be the top receivers for the Bears this season, as they were in 2008, but Olsen reeled in only one pass and Forte was shut out of the passing game altogether.



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Devin Hester
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 186
Position: WR
Date of Birth: 11/04/1982
Experience: 4
High School: Suncoast HS
(Riviera Beach, FL)
College: Miami (FL)


Biography:

PRO CAREER: Continued his electrifying display of talent in his second season by breaking his own NFL record for kick returns for touchdowns (4 punt, 2 kickoff) en route to his second-consecutive Pro Bowl and Associated Press All-Pro selections... Ranks 4th in NFL history in combined career kick return scores with a franchise-record 11, just two behind Brian Mitchell for the most all-time... Is one of three Bears all-time to receive first-team AP All-Pro honors in their first two seasons (Gale Sayers, 1965-66 and Richard Barwegan, 1950-51)... Has posted 12 return touchdowns (7 punt, 4 kickoff and 1 missed FG) in his first two seasons in the NFL, the most ever by a player in his first two seasons and the most ever in consecutive years... Holds the NFL record for career punt return average (14.1) among players with at least 75 returns... Set single-season franchise record with 651 punt return yards, 15.5 punt return average and NFL-tying 4 punt return touchdowns in 2007... Also holds franchise single-game records with 152 punt return yards at ARZ (10/16/06) and 225 kickoff return yards at STL (12/11/06)… Is tied for 6th all-time in NFL history with 7 punt return touchdowns, just 3 behind Eric Metcalf for first place and is tied for 11th all-time in kickoff returns for touchdowns, just two away from the top spot... Averages a touchdown once every 13.8 kick returns, the best ratio in NFL history (11 TD, 152 returns)... Totaled 314 combined kick return yards (219 kickoff, 95 punt) at DET (9/30/07), the highest total in franchise history and 2nd-highest total in NFL annals... Led the Bears with a 15.0 upc average, catching 20 passes for 299 yards and 2 TDs.

HOW ACQUIRED: Entered NFL as a second-round selection (57th overall) by Chicago in the 2006 NFL Draft.

PERSONAL NOTES: Attended Suncoast H.S. in Riviera Beach, Fla. playing football for coach Jimmy Bell… Widely regarded as one of the top recruits in the nation as a senior and was selected a Parade All-American and USA Today first-team All-American… Rated the No. 1 prospect in Florida and No. 6 player in the nation regardless of position by SuperPrep… Tabbed as the top defensive back prospect coming out of high school in Florida by numerous publications and earned first-team all-state honors as a senior… Rushed for 1,014 yards and 12 TDs on 94 carries while gaining 1,028 yards on 38 catches with 9 TDs in addition to throwing 5 TDs and 225 yards during senior season… On defense, tallied 156 tackles with 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery as a senior… Also a track standout and received All-America accolades and ranked 2nd nationally in the long jump as a junior.