Devin Hester.....HoF worthy?

[ThePeoplesChampion]

One of my facebook friends asked a very good question...Is Devin Hester worthy of the Hall of Fame?

He owns the record for kickoff returns at 14 and honestly he is just reaching his prime...but does he merit a HoF bust basically for returning kicks, I mean he isn't the greatest wide receiver. So i leave the question to you....

 

[Stormtrooper]

Hell no he isn't a hall of fame worthy player yet. He's been in the league for what, 5 years? He's the best kick returner right now, but that's all he is, and he hasn't done it long enough.

If he can keep it up for about a total of 10 years, and become a better offensive player, then yes, I'd say he's a Hall of Famer. Right now, he's not even close.

 

[ThePeoplesChampion]

I know its very soon to ask...but lets say he continues at this pace and at the end of his career has say 20-25 kickoff returns practically shattering the record but is still an average wide receiver....would that merit a HoF bid?

 

[Davi323]

I am going to say yes. Not as a wide receiver, but as a kick returner. I think the NFL needs to do a better job recognizing special teams contributions, including both the kicking and returning aspects. Devin Hester is easily the best returner in the NFL, and has been since he was a rookie. With that being said, I would put Brian Mitchell and Mel Grey in the NFL HOF before Hester, because both are deserving, and both did it first.

 

[ScruffDog]

Also, if we are putting people in the HOF for special team performances, I think we should have at least one punter in the there first. How is an entire position not represented in the HOF? So once someone like Ray Guy gets in, then I will consider putting a returner in.

 

[Stormtrooper]

Scruff hit the nail on the head. A return man does NOT get into the Hall of Fame until they put kickers and punters in. Ray Guy not being in the Hall is the biggest atrocity in the history of the Hall of Fame, and there are multiple kickers currently in the league with Hall of Fame credentials that will be eligible for years prior to Hester (assuming he plays a long career).

 

[People's Champ]

Devin Hester is a great player, no doubt. He has great athletic ability and is no doubt the best return man. But there are two issues, both of which have already been mention, but worth repeating. First, he hasn't been in the league long enough. Give him some more time and see if this continues. If his career were to end this season, would he be in? No, because he wouldn't have been in long enough and for the second reason. The second reason is there are more worthy special teams players of going in the Hall. They haven't been inducted yet, but if the time comes where they do decide to let in these special teams guys, then there are a few who should go in before Hester.

 

[Davi323]

Oh, under the current atmosphere, there is no way Hester gets in. Nor will Ray Guy, or any other punter or kicker. But the OP didn't ask whether Hester WOULD get in, merely if we felt he was worthy. Since I am sympathetic to the plight of the special teams performer, I think we should be able to look at his body of work as a return man as separate from his body of work as a WR. Special teams is not a part of the offense, nor is it a part of the defense. It's kind of its own category, I think. As I stated, the NFL has neglected both sides of special teams, and it is a source of major irritation for me. There are a few punters that need consideration, and a few kickers as well. (and as another source of major irritation, how did I mention Brian Mitchell and forget about Eric Metcalf?)

Obviously, the voting atmosphere would have to change significantly before any special teams player gets inducted...but just because they haven't been inducted doesn't mean they weren't worthy.

 

[Big Sexy]

Fuck no. First off the shelf life of a returner is not very long. As their careers go on, guys start to lose speed and elusiveness partly because of age and partly because of the abuse their body takes. Even now Hester is really only returning kicks so he isn't a full time return man.

There's also the fact that kickers and punters are more important then returners. The HOF needs to start inducting some kickers and punters before they even think about returners. If there is a guy who is a dominant, full time return man for 8-10 years in his career then I'll listen but Devin Hester isn't that guy, especially not at this point in his career. It's way too early to even bring this shit up.

 

[Minnesota Connection]

Maybe if he continues with his pace for a lengthy amount of time.

Say another 5-8 more years and another 14 returns.

Then he's HoF material

 

[Theo Mays]

Ray Guy not being in the Hall is the biggest atrocity in the history of the Hall of Fame

You could also make a very strong case for Packers great Jerry Kramer, but that is for another day and another topic.

As for Hester, hell no. All he has done in his career has been being a great return man. Does that mean there is a place in the hall for guys like Brian Mitchell and Dante Hall? No. Look return guys are important, no doubt, but if they want to be considered Hall of Famers I think they need to do a bit more than just kick return. Look at Deion Sanders for example. He is most likely going to get into the Hall this season. While he was an excellent returner, he was an even better cornerback. If Hester wants to get into the Hall he needs to step up his game as a WR and show that he is in the elite class at that position and I'm not sure he is or ever will be. Honestly I'm not surprised the Bears haven't tried him out at RB. Hester has a similar frame as a guy like Reggie Bush give or take a couple of pounds. I'm not saying use him as an every down back, but use him much like the Saints use Bush. Have him in the backfield and make some grabs, line him up in the slot, etc...

And like others have said kickers and punters need to get some HOF love before we move onto returners and even special team players. Also who knows how long Hester stays elite as a return man. They tend to die off rather quickly. Hester might want to fine tune his offensive game and become a more versatile player before we start giving him Hall of Fame talks.

 

[CH David]

It would be hilarious if he was put in, just so I could see people bitch about it.

However, no he is not worthy. The first thought that poppped into my head was no. If he took off and became a great receiver and put up Hall of Fame numbers for the rest of his career, then sure. Likely won't happen either. But at this point in time I don't see it. 14 punt and kickoff returns is definitely impressive, but he got that in 5 years. A quarterback could put up Hall of Fame numbers for 5 years, but do shit for the majority of his career. Does that mean he is a Hall of Famer? Not unless he wins 3 Super Bowls.

Just because he has an NFL record doesn't mean he is Hall of Fame worthy at this point in time. If he finishes his career with 30+, I'd probably consider it because that is damn impressive. But that probably won't happen. Hester isn't a Hall of Famer, especially considering he is still a young player. Let's see where the future takes him.

 

[gd]

Of course he is worthy. Kick returns are a big part of the game and right now, despite being in the league for only 5, he is the best kick returner of all time. I'm sure he'll end up with 20+ by the end of his career. Why should a guy who was the best ever at his postion not be in the HOF? Seems like an easy call to me.

 

[CelticCorey]

I don't believe in this whole "He should be in first" logic. Ray Guy should've been in a long time ago and it's an injustice that he isn't in. You're either a Hall of Famer or you're not. I think Hester is. I am a Bears fan and go ahead and call me biased but he has helped us win so many games. Without him I don't think we go to Super Bowl XLI. The HOF voters just disrespect special teamers all the time unless your name is Jan Stenerud. I don't believe in the logic of comparing putting the best return man in the Pro Football HOF to putting the best pinch hitter in the baseball HOF. Why? Because you can go an entire baseball game without using a pinch hitter. You CANNOT avoid special teams during a football game.