20 years ago I had a debate/argument with a friend of mine about Brian Mitchell as a candidate for the Hall of Fame. I argued that return specialists just do not touch the ball enough to warrant Hall of Fame consideration.
But also, imo, one of the requisites for Hall of Fame consideration is, did they change the way the game is played? And I truly do believe Devin Hester did. Opposing teams were terrified of kicking to him. So, maybe it’s the homer in me, but I can’t wait to see him in gold.
Is it the same people voting as last year? If so, he will not get in. They made the opinion of the crowd pretty clear: he wasn't on the field for enough snaps to warrant entry.
I, of course, think this is bullshit, because during his prime there was never a player who impacted the game more than him on the field at the same time as him.
IMO the best play that never was proved his entry and if the refs didn’t make a bs call, it would be on repeat. The return when Knox laid down and Hester acted like he caught it, Knox ran it in untouched. This is how scared teams were scared of Hester.
I still remember the rage i felt when that was called back lol
Sounds somewhat reminiscent of the stupid "DH's shouldn't be in the baseball HoF" arguments from eons ago. Dumb as dogshit then, dumb as dogshit now.
I, of course, think this is bullshit, because during his prime there was never a player who impacted the game more than him on the field at the same time as him.
This takes it too far, plenty of players impacted the game more than him during his prime. That being said, almost all of those players are also in the Hall of Fame.
I should have put the qualifier of "in special teams situations" because, yes there were a lot of players more impactful than him on offense and defense. He was never the best player on his team in those positions. But Special Teams Devin Hester (the reason he is being considered for the HoF) was always the most feared / impactful player on the field.
The greatest ever at his spot, he’ll never get in.
Or more how little people think of special teams. Punters aren't getting in either no matter how many game clinching coffin corner punts they may land. Special team tacklers aren't getting in no matter how many td's they save.
Bears will be well represented in Caton with Devin and Mongo going in.
Steve Tasker and Hester both should be in the HOF.
"We are not afraid of Devin Hester." My favorite superbowl moment of all time.
In a vacuum, most of the voters think Devin Hester should be in the HOF, but not sure he makes it yet. Voters need to not only say that Hester should be in, but that he should be in instead of other players. I think it's likely that the committee will find 5 players they think had a bigger impact than Hester again this year.
yep. this will probably be the 5: Freeny, Allen, Revis, Willis, Andre Johnson/or Joe Thomas
Revis and Thomas are in already
Huh. not sure why they are listed on the finalists list then
The greatest return man to ever play the game and it's controversial to say that he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. What a joke.
They should retire the 23 jersey, it is so weird someone other than hester wearing that jersey
They wouldn't have enough numbers. Maybe not anymore since little number restrictions now
Get this man in you cowards!
He should be in the HOF.
NFL doesn’t want us reminded how electric kickoffs used to be
Yep, and this only solidifies the fact that no one will come close to touching his mark on the game.
All the more reason for him to be enshrined.
It’s one reason I’ve watched less and less. That and 2 hours and 45 minutes of commercials
YEP. watered down ass product they are serving up lately. I do still watch tho
But for those 15 minutes the game is on you're glued to the screen :)
He should have been a first ballot HOFer he changed the game there hasn’t been a returner as good as him in the history of the NFL
To me, the argument against Devin Hester is basically: Returners aren't a big enough part of the game to warrant HOF consideration.
Because he's the undisputed GOAT of the return game. So the haters should just say that no matter how good you were at returning, you won't get in the Hall of Fame.
I'm not saying I believe that, I don't. But that's the argument against.
That’s Antonio Gates…
They changed the rules because of Devin Hester. Ie is hall of fame
If he's not, we riot.
They need to crown his ass.