Player
Devin Hester
WR/Returner (retired)
Devin Hester: facts drawn from the play-by-play.
11-year career across CHI + ATL + BAL. The greatest return man in NFL history. HOF Class of 2024 (1st ballot).
MilestoneCareer regular-season totals
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 157 |
| Receiving Yards | 3,311 |
| Punt Return TDs | 14 (NFL record) |
| Kickoff Return TDs | 5 (tied 1st) |
| Total Return TDs | 19 (NFL record) |
He's the only player in NFL history to return the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl for a TD.
RareHester SB XLI opening play
| Detail | Note |
|---|---|
| Game | SB XLI vs IND |
| Play | Opening kickoff return |
| Result | 92-yd TD (CHI 7-0) |
| Final | L vs IND 29-17 |
His 2006 rookie + 2007 sophomore years had 11 combined return TDs — historic for any 2-year stretch.
TrendHester rookie 2 years
| Year | PR TDs | KR TDs |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 | 2 |
| 2-year total | 7 PR | 5 KR |
Career receiving: 256 catches for 3,311 yards. Modest but supplemental to his return-game value.
SplitHester receiving production
| Year | Tm | Yds |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | CHI | 757 |
| 2010 | CHI | 475 |
| 2014 | ATL | 504 |
He's 1 of only 6 players ever inducted to the HOF as a primary special-teams player.
ComparisonHOF special-teams inductees
| Player | Year inducted |
|---|---|
| Travis Williams | prior |
| Steve Tasker | never |
| Devin Hester | 2024 (1st ballot) |
| Jan Stenerud (K) | prior |
He had 4 different seasons with 3+ return TDs — among the highest such totals in NFL history.
AnomalyHester 3+ return TD seasons
| Year | Return TDs |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
FanIQ answers any NFL stats question with receipts, on your phone.
Get FanIQ freeGet it on Google Play