What Devin Hester said about Miami football in Pro Football Hall of Fame speech
Devin Hester became the 10th Miami football alum inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday. Hester thanked his strength and conditioning coach, a former Miami offensive coordinator and former Hurricanes head coach Larry Coker during his speech.
Before becoming a recording setting kick and punt returner as a rookie with the Chicago Bears in 2006, Hester was prolific at Miami. Hester is second in Miami history with four punt return touchdowns. In 2004, Hester set a Miami school record with four kick return touchdowns (three punts and one kickoff).
Hester also tied Miami records with a 100-yard kickoff return versus North Carolina State and had a record-tying 92-yard punt return versus Louisiana Tech. That was Hester's second punt return TD in that game versus the Bulldogs. Hester finished fifth averaging 17.2 yards on punt returns and ninth with a 26.9-yard kickoff return average in 2004.
Hester earned first-team All-American as a kick returner in 2004. Hester finished the 2004 season with 326 punt return yards and 319 yards on kickoff returns. The numbers for Hester dipped during his final season with Miami in 2005 as opponents kicked away from him. Hester had 312 punt return yards and 113 in kickoff returns in 2005.
"When the University of Miami recruited this young kid...they gave me a full scholarship to play for the best University in the world. My strength and conditioning coach, Andrew Suozzi, pushed me to the limit that never I felt I could go that far and Coach Dan (Werner), appreciate you for putting that big S on my chest. Most of all, Coach Larry Coker kept his promise for keeping that number four jersey clean until I was able to wear it."
- Devin Hester, HOF induction speech
Werner was hired by Miami in 2001 and promoted to offensive coordinator in Hester's second season with the Hurricanes in 2004. Hester played on offense during his final two seasons as a runner and receiver under Werner. Hester discussed his journey to gaining eligibility more during his HoF speech.
Miami football 5th school with 10 Pro HoFers with Devin Hester election. dark. Next. Miami football 5th school with 10 Pro HoFers with Devin Hester election
The Chicago Bears drafted Hester 57th overall in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Hester was named to the all-rookie team in 2006, earned first-team All-Pro in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2014 and was named to the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade teams. Hester isn't the most prolific kick returner ever, but he could be the most impactful.