I was certainly there for the return against the Gators and for most games for the five decades before the Gator return. He was talented for sure but you can't just make your stripes returning punts and kick offs with his talent. As a WR he was average. I can be convinced. What else do you remember besides the Florida kickoff return?Don't want to be negative but Like Calais Campbell, Sam Shields and others Hester proved by his performance in the Pros that he should have contributed more at the U. Coaching was no doubt a factor. I don't want to take anything away from what he did in the league however. Arguably the best ever as a kick returner.
i don't know that the **** you are talking about. If you were in the OB when he was ****ting on opposing teams, you would probably feel different. Shhiiiii if you were there when he returned the opening kickoff against the gaytors, you would know how much he meant to the U and us fans.
Kickoff return against the Gators was the highlight, and so necessary. That pointspread was absolutely ludicrous at -13.5
I was sitting lower bowl at about the 20 yard line, southwest side. So Hester flashed right past us not long after fielding the ball.
People can pretend the current stadium is the equivalent of the Orange Bowl. Laughable. That stadium did it all on its own, and you were right there...so close to the action. I'll always cherish those memories and they are so vivid, like how the stands shook after that Hester return. The current venue is contrived loud but not much else.
It was great that Hester had that final post season game against the Falcons as the lasting image. That was his best game in a couple of seasons. Like turning back the block. Too bad he didn't score. And also a penalty.
That's one annoying aspect of Hester's pro career. His return touchdown number is excellent but rightfully should be a few higher. He had several nullified by very shaky penalty calls, especially one near the goal line late in his career with the Falcons.
Rightfully he makes the Hall of Fame. It will be a wait. I think he'll get there if nobody else exceeds his kick return numbers in the next decade or so. Now it actually helps Hester that the kickoff returns have been lessened in number, and may be eliminated altogether. Fewer chances for others to surpass Hester's tally.
He did things on that punt return vs. Duke that should not be humanly possible for a body to do. It was that impressive.
The opening kick return to launch his career vs. the Crocs was a thing of beauty.
The Hester return-led comeback vs Louisville in '04 was amazing, too. Petrino is probably still kicking himself for kicking to Hester again after getting burned.
Definitely the GOAT return man and deserving of the NFL HOF.
He was the same in the league as he was at UM. He could play any position on the field, but ultimately, he was a return man.