Devin Hester Sets NFL Kick Return Record, Chicago Bears Close Season With Two Wins
December 30, 2007 by David Kindervater
Filed under Chicago Bears
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Chicago Bears WR/KR/PR Devin Hester broke his own NFL record for most kick returns for a touchdown in a season by taking a 64-yarder to the house in a 33-25 win over New Orleans this afternoon, officially eliminating the Saints from the NFC playoff picture. Devin has two kickoff returns and four punt returns for touchdowns this season. He returned five kicks for scores last season as a rookie.
Devin’s 11 combined career return touchdowns are two shy of the NFL record held by Brian Mitchell. He is third on the all-time list, trailing Eric Metcalf and Dante Hall, who each have 12. His punt return in today’s game also tied the NFL single-season record, which is shared by Detroit’s Jack Christiansen (1951) and Denver’s Rick Upchurch (1976).
What’s even more amazing than Devin’s record-setting return was the Saints’ decision to kick the ball to him. Ultimately, it was the deciding factor in a game the Saints had to have to stay alive in the NFC Wild Card playoff race. It really left me scratching my head in disbelief. Chicago finished the season strong, but it was too little, too late.
