Return to Canton
Devin Hester, in the Chicago Bears' Week 4 win over the Carolina Panthers, set the NFL's all-time record for punt returns for touchdowns. His 69-yard return in the second quarter of the 34-29 victory was the 11th punt return for a score in his illustrious career. The touchdown allowed him to gain sole possession of the record that he had shared with Eric Metcalf. Hester's touchdown was also his record 15th combined kick return TD.
The jersey, gloves, pants, towel and shoes he wore that day along with the football he returned for the milestone touchdown arrived at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday afternoon. The memorabilia will be placed on display inside the Hall's Pro Football Today Gallery.
These mementos from Hester are not the first to be added to the Hall of Fame's collection. The shoes he wore during Week 11 of the 2010 season when the Bears notched their 700th career win are currently on display. Also, the jersey he wore and the football he returned 108 yards on Nov. 12, 2006 are part of the Hall's vast collection of football history. Hester's record return of a missed field goal that day tied a then NFL record for the longest return in league history.
Since Hester's record-breaking return against the Panthers he has returned yet another punt for a touchdown. His 82-yard punt return against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 13, 2011 gives him 12 career punt returns for touchdowns and a total of 16 combined career kick returns of TDs.
| Hester's Career Punt Returns for TDs | ||||
| Date | Opponent | Game Result | Distance | Quarter |
| Sept. 10, 2006 | at GREEN BAY PACKERS | W, 26-0 | 84 | 4 |
| Oct. 16, 2006 | at ARIZONA CARDINALS | W, 24-23 | 83 | 4 |
| Dec. 3, 2006 | Minnesota Vikings | W, 23-13 | 45 | 2 |
| Sept. 16, 2007 | Kansas City Chiefs | W, 20-10 | 73 | 2 |
| Oct. 14, 2007 | Minnesota Vikings | L, 31-34 | 89 | 1 |
| Nov. 25, 2007 | Denver Broncos | W, 37-34 (OT) | 75 | 3 |
| Dec. 30, 2007 | New Orleans Saints | W, 33-25 | 64 | 3 |
| Sept. 27, 2010 | Green Bay Packers | W, 20-17 | 62 | 4 |
| Oct. 17, 2010 | Seattle Seahawks | L, 20-23 | 89 | 4 |
| Dec. 20, 2010 | at MINNESOTA VIKINGS | W, 40-14 | 64 | 3 |
| Oct. 2, 2011 | Carolina Panthers | W, 34-29 | 69 | 2 |
| Nov. 13, 2011 | Detroit Lions | W, 37-13 | 82 | 2 |
Remember When…Week 11 edition
Drew Brees’ passing assault this season is reminiscent of another Chargers quarterback by the name of Dan Fouts.