Gold Jacket Spotlight: Fellow Hall of Famer primed Devin Hester for success 

Since 2023, each member of the new class being enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame has received his iconic Gold Jacket created by Haggar from the hands of a fellow Hall of Famer. The celebration occurs during the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner.

During the 2024 Dinner, DEION SANDERS presented DEVIN HESTER with his jacket.

Devin’s rise to Hall of Famer status and Deion’s encouragement is the focus of this week’s Gold Jacket Spotlight.

Considered one of the top high school cornerbacks and running backs during his senior season at Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach, Fla., Devin garnered the attention of most major college football programs. Adhering to the wishes of his mother, Juanita Brown, that Devin stay close to home, he chose to attend the University of Miami.

“I feel like my mom made me go to Miami,” Devin joked during the NFL Films production, “Devin Hester: The Greatest Return Man in NFL History.”

It didn’t take long for Devin to make an impression on Hurricanes faithful. On Sept. 6, 2003, the freshman returned the opening kickoff 92 yards against the in-state rival Florida Gators.

“After that, it just skyrocketed,” Devin told NFL Films about his collegiate playing career.

It wouldn’t be the last time Devin performed a memorable 92-yard return of an opening kickoff on turf in South Florida.

As Devin was performing at an All-America level during his sophomore season, he captured Deion’s attention.

“I was watching a college football game, and the Hurricanes were playing, and he broke a punt,” Deion recalled for the NFL piece. “They were talking about him as a person and an athlete, and they mentioned that I was one of his favorite athletes. So I reached out to ED REED and said, ‘Get me in touch with Devin.’ ”

Devin professed, “I was a big Deion Sanders fan. I liked his character, the way he played the game, the way he liked to showboat.”

Upon the connection of the two through Reed, also a future Hall of Famer, a long-term relationship was initiated.

“From that day, we just hit it off and have been talking ever since,” Devin said. “The most helpful thing that Deion has given me, that really helped me out, was the time management and surrounding yourself by the right group of people.”

For Deion’s part, he wanted to provide leadership and direction for the future NFL star, saying, “Having a voice there to encourage you ‘how to’ and give you a road map. I wanted to be that for him.”

Before departing Miami for the NFL, Devin scored touchdowns via punt returns, kickoff returns, on a blocked field goal and rushing. He also tallied five interceptions.

That versatility caught the attention of the Chicago Bears, and they selected him in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

Devin made an immediate impact in the NFL. He scored six times on special teams (three punt returns, two kick returns and on a returned missed field goal) his rookie season, helping the Bears win the NFC championship.

On Feb. 4, 2007, Devin returned to South Florida with the Bears in Super Bowl XLI and returned the title game’s opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.

“That’s a story that probably would never get told again. Who would think of somebody, same situation, hometown, rookie year, first kickoff return taking it to the house? That’s unheard of,” Devin told NFL Films.

“One of the greatest moments that I have witnessed in professional football,” Deion proclaimed.

“I remember the kid jogging around my property, staying in condition, when he came to Texas to visit me in the offseason,” Deion said. “Now that kid is a dad, a husband, a coach. I am so darn proud of him in every aspect of life.”

And that kid is a Hall of Famer.