Devin Hester (born November 4, 1982) is an American
football wide receiver and return specialist for the
Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He is
an alumnus of the University of Miami, where he
became the first person in the university’s recent
history to play on all three teams of American
football (offense, defense, special teams). Hester
began his professional career with the Bears in
2006, and quickly made an impact as a kick returner.
Dubbed the "Windy City Flyer" and "Anytime", Hester
holds the league's all-time record for most kicks
returned for a touchdown in a season.
Devin Hester was born to Juanita Brown and Lenorris
Hester Sr. in Riviera Beach, Florida. His parents
separated while he was a toddler. Before he became a
teenager, his mother was severely injured in car
accident, while his father died of cancer two years
later. His step-father, Derrick Brown, and brother,
Lenorris Jr., helped Hester escape his depression,
and rebuild his life by introducing him to football.
He soon returned to his normal life, and began to
excel in sports and academics.
Hester attended Suncoast High School, where he
played football as a cornerback, wide receiver,
return specialist, and running back. He earned
recognition from SuperPrep.com as the top high
school prospect in Florida, and Parade, who named
Hester onto their All-American team. Hester also
participated in the 2002 CaliFlorida Bowl, where he
returned a kick for an 80-yard touchdown. His
success prompted his teammates to nickname him
"Sugar Foot".
During his youth, Hester enjoyed following the
Dallas Cowboys. He especially idolized Deion
Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. He was also
a fan of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan
and Phil Jackson era. Fred Taylor of the University
of Florida was Hester's favorite athlete. In
addition to football, he also enjoyed playing soccer
and following baseball.
