Five Things to Know About Atlanta Falcons Of Devin Hester

The Atlanta Falcons’ return game just got a lot better with the addition of returner/wide receiver Devin Hester. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Hester comes to Atlanta with eight years of experience in the  NFL and multiple Pro Bowls and special teams honors on his resume. Here are five things you may not have known about the fleet-footed Hester.

1) College Days: Known as “Anytime” while playing at the University of Miami, Hester gained recognition for his return skills as well as his double duty on offense as a wide receiver and defense as a corner. As a freshman, Hester returned an opening kick for a 98-yard touchdown, something he would repeat in his professional career. During his sophomore season, he returned an 81-yard punt and broke six tackles in the process. In high school, Hester was nicknamed “Sugar Foot.”

2) 2006 Season: A second-round pick by the Bears in 2006, Hester didn’t waste time asserting himself as a rookie. In his first game as a pro, Hester returned a punt 84 yards for a score. He would return four more kicks or punts for touchdowns that season and also returned a field goal 108 yards for a score. He was named an All Pro for his record-setting rookie season and set the NFL record for most non-offensive touchdowns in a season.

3) More Records: Hester might be the best return man in league history, but if he’s not, he at least has a strong argument for it. He currently holds nine NFL records, including two records he’s set twice. His notable achievements include combined special teams TDs in a career (19, tied with Deion Sanders), punt return touchdowns in a career (13) and is the only player to return two kicks for scores in a single game, something he’s accomplished twice. Hester’s 92-yard kickoff return in the 2007 Super Bowl was the first TD return to open a Super Bowl. Here’s a GIF of that return:

4) Very Fast:  While Hester has spent a lot of time practicing and studying to be a three-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro, he’s also blessed with track speed, a characteristic that comes in handy when you’re trying to outrun the opposition. How fast is Hester? He ran a 4.41 40 at the Combine in 2006 and in 2013, he outran a cheetah. In the video game, Madden NFL ’08, Hester was the first player given a 100 speed rating,making him the fastest player in the game’s history.

5) Number 23: Like in college, Hester’s spent time in the NFL as not just a return man, but also a wide receiver and cornerback. Of Hester’s 33 career touchdowns, 14 are of the receiving variety. Hester’s multiplicity on the field means his jersey number is a little unusual. According to the NFL’s uniform numbering policy, adopted in 1973, wide receivers are required to wear numbers in the 10-19 or 80-89 range. The NFL allowed Hester to keep his No. 23 and he’s one of two wide receivers since the policy was enacted to wear a jersey in the 20′s. Second-year cornerback Robert Alford currently holds the number for the Falcons.

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