2023 Inductees
- Ronde Barber: 5x PB, 3x AP, 1x SB, HOF All 2000’s Team.
- Chuck Howley: 6x PB, 5x AP, 1x SB, 1x SB MVP.
- Joe Klecko: 4x PB, 2x AP, 1981 UPI DPOY.
- Darrelle Revis: 7x PB, 4x AP, 1x SB, HOF All 2010’s Team.
- Ken Riley: 1x AP, 65 INT’s.
- Joe Thomas: 10x PB, 6x AP, HOF All 2010’s Team.
- Zach Thomas: 7x PB, 5x AP, HOF All 2000’s Team.
- Demarcus Ware: 9x PB, 4x AP, 1x SB, HOF All 2000’s Team.
- Don Coryell: 1974 AP COTY, 2x PFWA COTY, 1974 SN COTY, 1974 UPI COTY.
Devin Hester’s Accolades
Over Hester’s 12 year career he quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the game. His mere 4 pro bowl appearances don’t reflect his efforts on the field. Hester is one of only 4 players to make both the 2000’s and 2010’s HOF teams. The fact that you can make two all decade HOF teams without early Canton entry, seems ridiculous to me. My personal philosophy is that yards are important, no matter how you get them. Whether that be through the air, on the ground, or returns. It’s hard to skip the fact that Hester also has the most total touchdown returns while totaling 14,455 all purpose yards. While some records can surely be broken in the future, it would be deserving to give props to the benchmarks he set. After all, it’s widely known that you never kick to Hester.
Comparisons
Many receivers and backs who are currently in the hall have failed to amass the total yardage that Hester put up in his career. That list contains but is not limited to: O.J. Simpson, John Riggins, Earl Campbell, Cris Carter, Steve Largent, Andre Reed, Art Monk, Michael Irvin, Calvin Johnson. All considered legends in their own aspects, however they didn’t rack up the amount of yardage that Hester could. Obviously main skill position players tend to garner more love in this game, but I’m not saying they should. For as long as football has been around, special teams players tended to be overlooked. With only three currently in the hall, that being Morten Anderson, Jan Stenerud, and Ray Guy.
Legacy
It is hard to imagine that someone who is considered the best to ever do what they do, is still waiting for that hall invitation. A man who brought a sparkle to the eyes of football watchers for over a decade, sitting patiently for his time to come. Hester is the only player to ever return a Super Bowl opening kickoff for a touchdown. Hester was also named a member of the NFL top 100 players of all time list. Originally drafted as a corner, he was able to transform into a weapon that devastated opposition kickoff units for years. A player as scintillating as Hester shouldn’t be facing the repercussions of special teams hate. He has the yards and accolades to dismantle these opinions. People just aren’t ready to open their eyes.
In Conclusion
When it comes down to it, Hester is a sure fire hall of famer. Whether it comes next year or his last year on the ballot, he deserves it. The hope for special teams players to receive more respect is slowly dying out in my eyes. I find it to be a prejudice that is unjust and not really deserved. It only discredits everything they’ve done in and for the league. Surely one day people will turn their heads and open their arms to special teams specialists. Until then, we just have to hope and pray that our fan favorites get their rightful way into Canton.
