Devin Hester

2006 The Chicago Bears drafted Hester in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Although he was drafted as a cornerback, Lovie Smith intended to use Hester as a return specialist. Hester’s rookie season was eventful and record-breaking. In only thirteen weeks as a professional football player, Hester scored six return touchdowns, including a record tying 108-yard touchdown from a missed field goal against the New York Giants. He also returned a punt for a clutch 83-yard game-winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, and two kickoff returns in one game against the St. Louis Rams. Following his record-breaking game during week fourteen, opposing teams exercised additional caution when allowing Hester to return kicks. Although Hester did not have any big plays in the first two games of the post-season, the Bears won both NFC playoffs rounds, and advanced to Super Bowl XLI to play the Indianapolis Colts. He started the game on a high note for the Bears by returning the game’s opening kick for a touchdown. The feat was the first touchdown return in an opening kickoff in Super Bowl history. It also marked the quickest lead ever taken by any team. Following the kick, the Colts did not kick the ball directly to Hester, significantly limiting the Bears’ return efforts.
Hester's feats in 2006 earned him three NFC Special Teams Player of the week Awards, and a trip to the 2007 Pro Bowl. After the 2006 season ended, he was named as the "NFC’s Player of the Month" for December, and was a finalist in the 2006 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year voting. He was also voted onto the Associated Press’s 2006 All-Pro team with 48 and a half votes, finishing second behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Champ Bailey, and Jason Taylor who all received 50 votes. He finished the 2006 season by accumulating three touchdowns for 600 yards on 47 punt returns, and two touchdowns for 528 yards on 20 kick returns, thus making him one of the league’s most productive kick and punt returners. Even without taking an offensive snap prior to week fourteen, Hester was the Bears' second leading scorer, behind kicker Robbie Gould. On a negative note, Hester struggled to control the football at times, having games with multiple fumbles on at least two separate occasions.
Many fans speculated that Hester’s speed and prior experience as a wide receiver would earn him a spot on the Bears' offense, similar to teammate Rashied Davis. While Lovie Smith dismissed the speculation, he played Hester as a wide receiver for one play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 17, 2006. Hester attributes his talent to his mentor, Deion Sanders, whom Hester claims helped him perfect his return game. Sanders, a former cornerback and kick returner, compliments Hester after every productive performance. However, Sanders also berated Hester for taunting another player en route to his second touchdown return against the St. Louis Rams. His teammates and coaches have also praised Hester. After the 2006 season, he was voted to receive the team's Brian Piccolo Award, which is given to a player who possesses a good character and work ethic.

2007 Shortly after losing Super Bowl XLI, Hester and David Toub, the Bears’ special teams coach, spent a significant amount of time working on new return strategies for Hester. Despite Lovie Smith’s interest in keeping Hester a kick returner and reserve defensive back, the Bears officially converted him to a wide receiver and possibly a running back on May 14. Hester, who had originally played as a receiver and running back at Miami, wished to play as a cornerback like his idol, Deion Sanders, but was persuaded by the coaching staff to make the switch to offense.In July, he won the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award.