Hester Falls Short in First Hall of Fame Bid

[Grizzled]

[Yogi da Bear]

This is what the greatest CB in the history of the game thinks. Prime Time wasn't too shabby on special teams either.

This is it. This is why Devin should have been a first ballot Hall of Famer. To me, my favorite performances of Devin's was when he wasn't feared. Remember when Denver said they weren't afraid of him and where going to kick to him? Not one but TWO returns for TDs. Then the Colts in the Super Bowl--same thing. Said they weren't afraid of him and would kick to him. After the opening return, they were quickly saying, "fuck that shit." lol

Anybody who didn't fear Devin, paid for it.

[Arkansasbear]

This is what the greatest CB in the history of the game thinks. Prime Time wasn't too shabby on special teams either.

This is it. This is why Devin should have been a first ballot Hall of Famer. To me, my favorite performances of Devin's was when he wasn't feared. Remember when Denver said they weren't afraid of him and where going to kick to him? Not one but TWO returns for TDs. Then the Colts in the Super Bowl--same thing. Said they weren't afraid of him and would kick to him. After the opening return, they were quickly saying, "fuck that shit." lol

Anybody who didn't fear Devin, paid for it.

He was one of the greatest players to ever watch. One of the items I have in my man cave that I love is a signed picture of him on his first career return TD. It happened vs the Packers and you see a couple in the background. We won 26-0. Better times for sure.

[Shadow]

The NFL changed the kickoff rules to try to take away the advantage Devin gave the Bears. That screams HoFer to me more than some guy getting in because he is well liked and a fan favorite. Devin will get in as a KR, but that means he will wait a couple years, but he will get in.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Bears star Devin Hester makes semifinalist cut for Hall of Fame; Lance Briggs out

Legendary Bears return man Devin Hester is up for Hall of Fame induction again after being left out his first year on the ballot. Seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, however, didn’t make the cut.

Hester was one of 28 players to make the list of semifinalists for the upcoming class. Voters will cut the list to 15 finalists in January and elect the class for induction leading up to the Super Bowl.
...

Hester, now 40, is seeking to be the first player to make the Hall of Fame primarily as a return specialist. He is eligible to remain on the ballot for a total of 20 years.
...

Full article: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022 ... super-bowl

[Grizzled]

The NFL changed the kickoff rules to try to take away the advantage Devin gave the Bears. That screams HoFer to me more than some guy getting in because he is well liked and a fan favorite. Devin will get in as a KR, but that means he will wait a couple years, but he will get in.

Bullet Bob Gibson was so dominant as a pitcher in 1968 that major league baseball lowered the height of the mound from 15 to 10 inches. He's in the baseball HOF. Hester did the equivalent in football and deserves to be inducted into the NFL HOF.

[Otis Day]

Gibson was dominant prior to 68 and had some good years after 68. Hell his best year came in 1970, after the mound modification.

I despise all HOFs. I think they are pretty ridiculous. If you are good enough to get in, you should get in on the first ballot. This reasoning to make people wait is beyond ridiculous. People/voters that think that need their voting rights taken away.

[dplank]

I'd love to see Hester get in, he was as exciting a football player as I've watched and deserves it IMO.

[RichH55]

I concur with most here - Think he should be in

[Arkansasbear]

Gibson was dominant prior to 68 and had some good years after 68. Hell his best year came in 1970, after the mound modification.

I despise all HOFs. I think they are pretty ridiculous. If you are good enough to get in, you should get in on the first ballot. This reasoning to make people wait is beyond ridiculous. People/voters that think that need their voting rights taken away.

Yeah, I don't understand the view of "I think he should be in, but not the first time he is on the ballot."

[Grizzled]

Gibson was dominant prior to 68 and had some good years after 68. Hell his best year came in 1970, after the mound modification.

I despise all HOFs. I think they are pretty ridiculous. If you are good enough to get in, you should get in on the first ballot. This reasoning to make people wait is beyond ridiculous. People/voters that think that need their voting rights taken away.

Gibson had a great career, not just one year. His battles against Ferguson Jenkins were some of my facorite Cub games. Hester also did it until he was allowed to play WR and then his kick returning seemed to fall off.

[Grizzled]

Hester has made it as a finalist for the 2nd year n a row. Take it to the house, Devin.

[Rusty Trombagent]

man, there is a lot of talent on this list:

• Jared Allen, Defensive End – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15
Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers

• Willie Anderson, Offensive Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens

• Ronde Barber, Cornerback/Safety – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Dwight Freeney, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14
San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017
Detroit Lions

• Devin Hester, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens

• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

• Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016
Tennessee Titans

• Albert Lewis, Cornerback – 1983-1993 Kansas City Chiefs, 1994-98 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders

• Darrelle Revis, Cornerback – 2007-2012 New York Jets, 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2014
New England Patriots, 2015-16 New York Jets, 2017 Kansas City Chiefs

• Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle – 2007-2017 Cleveland Browns

• Zach Thomas, Linebacker – 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys

• DeMarcus Ware, Linebacker/Defensive End – 2005-2013 Dallas Cowboys, 2014-16 Denver
Broncos

• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

• Patrick Willis, Linebacker – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers

• Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

[Grizzled]

I've always loved the story about Joe Thomas being out with his dad fishing during the NFL draft instead of being at the draft. I'm assuming they were walleye fishing on Lake Erie, I've always wondered if they limited out.

[Burl]

Jared Allen
Devin Hester
Darelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Demarcus Ware

...those are my guys from this class.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

The Bears current ST co-ordinator's take:

“If you want to talk what the Hall of Fame is supposed to represent, it’s supposed to represent being the best players at their positions — the best players to ever play the game,” Hightower said. “I don’t think that there’s a question that Devin Hester is the best player at the return position, in the combo return position, with all the records that he holds, everything he did his rookie year, everything he has done not only at the Bears, even when he went somewhere else. He revolutionized the game of football and how coaches cover kicks.”
...

“Who changed the game in the kick return game in the way he did?” Hightower asked. “Other than a quarterback like a John Elway or a Peyton Manning at their position, who did it in the kick return position? There’s not enough attention or credit to go to Devin. It’s phenomenal what he was able to do, and it’s still mind-boggling to see how good he was when you sit down and you study it. So, I just think that’s a no-brainer and I hope it happens.”

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023 ... on-manning

[The Marshall Plan]

There is no argument against Hester. None whatsoever.

He is THE BEST at what he did. The Special Teams GOAT. It makes no sense to vote in the 110th pass rusher or OT, etc., but then leave out The GOAT of Special Teams.

[dplank]

Jared Allen
Devin Hester
Darelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Demarcus Ware

...those are my guys from this class.

Revis and Thomas seem like no brainer to me. I’d put Hester in next as he is the GOAT KR/PR. Allen and Ware were great players that I suppose could go in but I feel like they are getting in because they play a premium position - neither are near the top of their all time lists for their position.

I have a general bent on this tho because I think the NFL allows too many players in to the hall which dilutes it’s value.

[Grizzled]

Jared Allen
Devin Hester
Darelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Demarcus Ware

...those are my guys from this class.

Revis and Thomas seem like no brainer to me. I’d put Hester in next as he is the GOAT KR/PR. Allen and Ware were great players that I suppose could go in but I feel like they are getting in because they play a premium position - neither are near the top of their all time lists for their position.

I have a general bent on this tho because I think the NFL allows too many players in to the hall which dilutes it’s value.

I'm in agreement with Dplank here. Offensice linement are the most under represented group in the Hall but Thomas played at a level clearly deserving of induction. Hester was so good that rules were changed to leasen his impact. I couldn't stand Revis but he made opposing QBs and OCs change their game plans to take away his impact. The other guys played at high levels but I don't think of them the same as guys at their position already in the Hall.

[Burl]

Jared Allen
Devin Hester
Darelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Demarcus Ware

...those are my guys from this class.

Revis and Thomas seem like no brainer to me. I’d put Hester in next as he is the GOAT KR/PR. Allen and Ware were great players that I suppose could go in but I feel like they are getting in because they play a premium position - neither are near the top of their all time lists for their position.

I have a general bent on this tho because I think the NFL allows too many players in to the hall which dilutes it’s value.

Ware and Allen aren't just big names though. They're among the best at least where sacks are concerned.
Both have more than current HOF'er Richard Dent, as an example.

[malk]

Revis and Thomas seem like no brainer to me. I’d put Hester in next as he is the GOAT KR/PR. Allen and Ware were great players that I suppose could go in but I feel like they are getting in because they play a premium position - neither are near the top of their all time lists for their position.

I have a general bent on this tho because I think the NFL allows too many players in to the hall which dilutes it’s value.

Ware and Allen aren't just big names though. They're among the best at least where sacks are concerned.
Both have more than current HOF'er Richard Dent, as an example.

Dent has 137.5 in the regular season (150 starts) and 10 in the playoffs (10 starts).
Ware has 138.5 (173 starts) in the regular season and 7.5 (8 starts) in the playoffs.
Allen has 136 (181 starts) in the regular season and 4 (7 starts) in the playoffs.

Dent had more forced fumbles in fewer games as well. Allen had the 22 sack season and Ware the 20 sack one so I can see when they were in the mix but they were great rather than HoF imo.

[Burl]

Ware and Allen aren't just big names though. They're among the best at least where sacks are concerned.
Both have more than current HOF'er Richard Dent, as an example.

Dent has 137.5 in the regular season (150 starts) and 10 in the playoffs (10 starts).
Ware has 138.5 (173 starts) in the regular season and 7.5 (8 starts) in the playoffs.
Allen has 136 (181 starts) in the regular season and 4 (7 starts) in the playoffs.

Dent had more forced fumbles in fewer games as well. Allen had the 22 sack season and Ware the 20 sack one so I can see when they were in the mix but they were great rather than HoF imo.

We should probably argue for 3 pages now about the meanings of “great” and “HoF” .

[Yogi da Bear]

Ware and Allen aren't just big names though. They're among the best at least where sacks are concerned.
Both have more than current HOF'er Richard Dent, as an example.

Dent has 137.5 in the regular season (150 starts) and 10 in the playoffs (10 starts).
Ware has 138.5 (173 starts) in the regular season and 7.5 (8 starts) in the playoffs.
Allen has 136 (181 starts) in the regular season and 4 (7 starts) in the playoffs.

Dent had more forced fumbles in fewer games as well. Allen had the 22 sack season and Ware the 20 sack one so I can see when they were in the mix but they were great rather than HoF imo.

Couple of things here:

Do Ware and Allen also have Super Bowl MVPS?

Dent had to wait nine years to get into the Hall of Fame, seven years as a finalist. How long have Ware and Allen had to wait?

[dplank]

Dent also played in an era where sacks were harder to get, because teams didn’t pass nearly as much. And yea his SB win and MVP status pushes him up even further. He was, IMO, the best player on what is widely considered to be the best defense of all time. Neither Allen nor Ware have that either.

[Rusty Trombagent]

He was, IMO, the best player on what is widely considered to be the best defense of all time. Neither Allen nor Ware have that either.

Yeah, but as we saw with Dent, that actually works against a player, as far as the voters are concerned. It's a big reason why Andre Johnson's got a really good shot at getting in. The ol' guy who excels in a bad situation thing.

[dplank]

Yea that makes sense too

[Middleguard]

Missed again.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Missed again.

Chuffin ridiculous

[Grizzled]

What a load of crock. Joe Thomas, Revis, Ware, Zack Thomas, and Ronde Barber made it. I'm baffled by the last 2 choices,. They were good but HOF-worthy?

[UOK]

Hester WILL get in. It's just a matter of time.

He had a complicated career, and I think it will (sadly) take a weak class to get him in, but it'll happen. He broke football for a couple years. Many deserving players have gotten into the HOF for less.