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A22 sports
Thursday 14 december 2017

Kick return star Devin Hester retires from NFL

By ANDREW SELIGMAN Bowl in 2006, 2007, 2010 also returned a missed field
AP Sports Writer and 2014. goal 108 yards against the
CHICAGO (AP) — Devin “The kind of production he New York Giants. Hester’s
Hester, the spectacular had was very, very difficult,” crowning moment came
speedster who holds the Bears coach John Fox said. in the Super Bowl in Miami.
NFL record for kick return “He changed games.” Hester caught Adam Vina-
touchdowns with 20, an- But Hester’s impact went tieri’s kickoff, turned right
nounced his retirement beyond the sheer numbers. toward the middle, burst
from the NFL on Tuesday. Opposing coaches would through a wave of defend-
In a post on social media, routinely do all they could ers and sprinted toward
the 35-year-old Hester said to avoid punting or kicking history, becoming only the
it was time . to him, even if that meant eighth player to score a
“Good news: Commission- the Bears starting at their 40 touchdown that way in the
er Goodell, you can put because the ball landed NFL’s biggest game.
the kickoff back at the 30,” out of bounds. When Hester Hester had two more kick-
Hester wrote. “Bad news: was at his best, they consid- off returns and four more
Y’all will have to find a new ered that a better option punt returns for TDs in 2007.
favorite returner.” than risking a return for a The Bears started to use him
Hester played for Atlanta, touchdown. In this Feb. 4, 2007, file photo, Chicago Bears’ Devin Hester (23) as a wide receiver that sea-
Baltimore and Seattle, but “I feel like when he’s out runs back the opening kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown in the son and gave him a four-
his best years were with the there, everybody has a lit- Super Bowl XLI football game against the Indianapolis Colts at year contract extension in
Bears from 2006-13. Chica- tle more confidence,” said Dolphin Stadium in Miami. the offseason.
go took him in the second Bears cornerback Sher- run at times. He was a spe- go as well as former Bears Hester never seemed com-
round (57th overall) out of rick McManis, who played cial player.” coach Lovie Smith while re- fortable with a bigger role
Miami, and at the end of with Hester. “Because all In his retirement note, Hes- calling the ovations he got on offense, too often lining
his rookie season, he took you’ve got to do is just step ter showed the sort of flair at Soldier Field. He closed up at the wrong spot and
the opening kickoff of the in front of your guy, and if that defined his career. with a reference to the Hall running the wrong route.
Super Bowl 92 yards for a he catches that ball, you He mentioned the “confi- of Fame: “Hopefully next His production on special
touchdown against India- know it’s bound to hap- dence and swagger” he time I see y’all it’ll be in teams slipped, too. Hester
napolis, though the Colts pen. He can take it straight developed in college and Canton.” went two seasons without
won the game. to the crib. He gives every- learning to “act like you’re Hester’s spectacular rook- returning a punt return for a
He is the third-leading punt body confidence. People the best player on the ie year including running TD and three seasons with-
returner in NFL history and have fun. Had to get guys field, then back it up.” He back two kickoffs and three out running back a kickoff
was selected to the Pro not to watch, look at him thanked the fans in Chica- punts for touchdowns. He to the end zone. q

Roger Goodell that about,” Jones said.

Continued from Page 17 “I didn’t do it. It took the
will of 32 owners to get
tion. But we obviously have involving the national an- that done. It’s an anti-
challenges, just like any them. The 75-year-old quated constitution, an
other industry.”Goodell Jones also was at odds antiquated situation as
overcame the challenge with Atlanta owner Arthur to the power of the com-
from Jones, who threat- Blank, chairman of the missioner. This will address
ened to sue over the ex- six-person compensation that.” League spokes-
tension in a dispute that committee that had been man Joe Lockhart said
arose after Goodell’s deci- unanimously approved in 90 percent of Goodell’s
sion to suspend star Dallas May to complete a deal contract will be incentive
running back Ezekiel Elliott with Goodell. Jones want- based, which he said was
for six games over domes- ed all the owners to ap- an increase in nonguar-
In this Oct. 18, 2017, file photo, NFL commissioner Roger tic violence allegations in prove the deal. For Jones, anteed income over pre-
Goodell speaks during a news conference in New York. a case prosecutors didn’t the victory came in own- vious deals.
Associated Press pursue. ers agreeing to consider The incentives in part are
Goodell was a bit defiant into 2024 to be his last. Jones has denied that El- changes to the power of tied to TV ratings and new
himself on another topic, “I haven’t made any liott’s suspension played a the commissioner’s role broadcast deals, along
contradicting his own determinations,”Goodell role in his objections over through the league’s con- with negotiating the next
lead spokesman who had said. “This is something the power the commis- stitution. labor deal with the cur-
said earlier in the day that that I’m looking forward to sioner wields or his con- “I’m very rewarded that rent collective bargain-
Goodell considered the the challenges. I think our cerns about the way the this exercise of extend- ing agreement expiring in
contract that now runs league is in a great posi- NFL was handling protests ing Roger has brought 2021.q