As Devin Hester stood on stage at halftime of Sunday's Bears-Packers game for his Hall of Fame ring ceremony, he had one request from the fans at a packed Soldier Field.
"Whenever I ran a kickoff or a punt back, I went deaf," Hester said during his speech. "I never got the opportunity to see how loud you guys really were. So let's take this moment, give me five seconds and let me really reminisce on how loud you guys really were."
The 60,000 Bears fans did not disappoint Hester in his homecoming to Soldier Field. The stadium immediately erupted, fulfilling Hester's wish and allowing him to scan the crowd and soak in the moment.
It was a fitting reaction for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductee — the most prolific return specialist in NFL history who, for eight seasons, elicited that same reaction each time he touched the ball.
Hester was accompanied by his wife, Zingha, and their three sons — Devin Jr., Drayton and Denali — who he gave emotional tributes to back in August at his induction in Canton, Ohio.
Donning his gold jacket as he ran out of the Bears tunnel at the halftime break Sunday, Hester danced to Soulja Boy's "Crank That" — bringing back memories of when the song would play as Hester took the field awaiting a punt or kick.
He followed former teammates Garrett Wolfe, Adrian Patterson, Rashied Davis, Henry Melton, Brandon McGowan, Jason McKie, Anthony Adams, Israel Idonije, Mike Brown and Charles Tillman, who all joined together to celebrate Hester.
"It's awesome just to see one of your teammates reach the Hall of Fame," McKie told ChicagoBears.com. "To see firsthand the work that they put in in terms of preparation, the offseason training that they did, to be one of the best ever at their position and have that type of success in the NFL. It's just awesome to see him have that experience and to be rewarded for his hard work.
"It's an honor and a privilege to be his teammate. A lot of the guys on that team were instrumental in helping him achieve that goal and he's thankful for us, but we're thankful for him as well."
Hester took the stage alongside his family, sitting across from chairman George H. McCaskey, vice president Patrick McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren. Patrick proceeded to present Hester with a portrait from the organization.
After Bears radio play-by-play broadcaster Jeff Joniak introduced Hester with his famous line — "Devin Hester, you are ridiculous!" — the Hall of Famer led his speech with an expression of gratitude.
"First off, I want to thank God for allowing me to be here today and for what he's done in my life," Hester said. "I want to thank the organization, the McCaskey family, my teammates, because at the end of the day, none of this would be possible without you guys. But second of all, I want to salute the best fans in the whole wide world.
"Day in and day out, win, lose, rain, sleet or snow — you guys showed up and you packed the house. Without you guys and all the cheering you did, none of this would be possible."
Hester quickly became a fan favorite during his rookie campaign in 2006, when he set a league record with five kick return touchdowns, was named first-team All-Pro and became the first player in Super Bowl history to run back the opening kickoff for a touchdown.
Hester still holds NFL records with 19 kick-return touchdowns, 14 punt-return TDs and 20 return touchdowns, which includes punts, kickoffs, missed field goals, fumbles and interceptions. He also added 16 receiving touchdowns and a 108-yard return of a missed field goal to bring his total TD count to 37.
A second-round selection of the Bears in the 2006 draft, he was voted to three Pro Bowls, won 13 special teams player of the week awards, was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s and is now the first returner to enter the Hall of Fame.
"You kind of know what's happening when it's happening," former punter Patrick Mannelly said during Bears alumni weekend Sept. 8. "You know that's the ultimate goal. One, to win a Super Bowl, but for an individual is to be in the Hall of Fame. And you're like, 'wait a minute. This guy might be a Hall of Famer.' As a teammate, you're in awe because you know they're better than everybody else. You sit in the locker room and you look and say, 'you can win a game because of him.' Devin, every Sunday, you're like, 'he's gonna return a kick. He's gonna do something to make us win.'
Hester not only impressed and excited Bears fans every time he stepped on the field, but he also often left his teammates in awe of his talent.
"It's awesome," former receiver Bernard Berrian said during alumni weekend. "Just watching Devin play live in action was awesome too. To be able to see a team galvanize behind a player, because it was so great to actually witness what he was capable of doing on the field, speaks to the ability he brought to the team and the talent he showcased when he played the game."
Prior to the halftime celebration, Hester got a more intimate first look at the Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence with a small group inclusive of his family, Warren, George H. McCaskey and his wife, Barb. The Hall also gifted Hester a pendant, which he gave to his wife to wear Sunday.
The ring was created by Kay Jewelers and set in 14K gold with a total diamond weight of 1.75 carats — upon his arrival at Soldier Field Sunday morning. The outer diamonds create a "stadium" effect surrounding the football-shaped diamond center.
Hester's ring is customized with a likeness of his Hall of Fame Bronze Bust. "Kick/Punt Returner Wide Receiver" and "2006-2016" (his years in the NFL), appear on one side, while "Devin Hester," the Pro Football Hall of Fame logo and "Class of 2024" are included on the other. His enrichment number (374) is engraved on the inside of the ring.
Hester also took the field pregame to engage with the fans and meet up with an old friend, Bears director of equipment Tony Medlin, along with players like quarterback Caleb Williams, running back Roschon Johnson and receiver DeAndre Carter.
As Hester closed out his speech at Soldier Field Sunday, he made sure to voice his admiration for the place where his NFL career was forged.
"I'm so honored and appreciative to be a part of the city of Chicago," Hester concluded. "I love you so much. thank you all and let's go Bears."
