Latest news with #DevinHester
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester Selected to NFL's Best 53-Man Roster of the Past 25 Years
Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester Selected to NFL's Best 53-Man Roster of the Past 25 Years originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A major nod to NFL history just dropped—highlighting the league's most iconic stretch in recent memory. In celebrating the last 25 years of gridiron greatness, a definitive list has been released, shining a spotlight on the league's most impactful players and coaches. And for fans in Chicago, there's plenty to be proud of—two all-time Bears legends earned their place on this elite roster. Advertisement The list in question is the NFL All Quarter Century Team: Best 53-Man Roster, Coaches, released by ESPN analysts Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder. Meant to reflect the best of the best from the modern era (2000–2025), the team captures not just fan favorites but data-backed excellence across all positions. Soldier FieldGetty Images For a city that lives and breathes football, seeing Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester honored among the NFL elite is a badge of honor. Brian UrlacherGetty Images Urlacher anchored one of the most feared defenses of the 2000s—a relentless force who made Sundays miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Over a 13-year career with the Bears, the linebacker totaled 41.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, and 22 interceptions. He was named Defensive Player of the Year once and earned five All-Pro nods. Advertisement According to Walder, the Urlacher-led Bears had the third-best defense in terms of EPA per play from 2001 to '12. He also ranked fourth in plus-EPA per game among all players. A stat-sheet stuffer with sideline-to-sideline instincts, Urlacher was the pulse of a defense that demanded respect. Devin HesterGetty Images Hester brought fireworks every time he touched the ball. With 20 return touchdowns and over 11,000 return yards, his career didn't just redefine special teams—it elevated it to must-see TV. Fourteen of those scores came via punt returns—a jaw-dropping number no one has come close to touching. And in 2024, Hester capped off his legacy by becoming the first return specialist ever inducted into the Hall of Fame. From the moment he housed the opening kick of Super Bowl XLI, fans knew they were watching something special. Advertisement In honoring the league's top contributors from the past quarter century, ESPN's list is both a tribute and a time capsule—a reminder of the impact Urlacher and Hester had on the game. And in Chicago, it's a chance to reflect on two careers that still echo through Soldier Field, reminding fans why this city's football history is anything but ordinary. Related: Bears' Prized Free Agent Starts Game Day in the Most Unexpected Way Related: Bears Hard-Nosed Rookie RB Pushes Back on 7th-Round Label After Draft Slide This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Latest Florida Commit Shares Incredible Stat With NFL Legend
Latest Florida Commit Shares Incredible Stat With NFL Legend originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Gators are on a hot streak in their college football recruitment process, securing four-star wide receiver Justin Williams, who chose the Gators over Florida State, Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana. Advertisement He is an elite talent at wide receiver and a prolific scorer in high school. He shifted to running back after being a full-time wide receiver, and began to excel. With his multi-position transition, he achieved a feature in the state of Florida that hasn't happened in decades. Williams is the first high schooler to achieve 1,000 rushing yards and receiving yards in the same season since NFL legend Devin Hester, who accomplished that feat in 2002. Florida Gators head coach Billy Youngblood/Gainesville Sun In Williams' 2024 season, he played in 14 games, where he ran for 1,032 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns alongside 1,473 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He Also returned one kickoff for a touchdown. Advertisement Showing he can do it all so far will allow him to go almost anywhere in the Florida system in 2026, depending on where head coach Billy Napier will want him. He may not follow the same career path as Hester, being primarily a return man, but has that potential with the versatility on the field. In Hester's first year in college with the Miami Hurricanes, he returned one kickoff for a touchdown, and was used in the offense as an explosive weapon and in trick plays. He would end his collegiate career with four punt return touchdowns, two kick return touchdowns, 160 rushing yards and a rushing score, and 196 receiving yards. He even played defense for the Hurricanes, ending his collegiate career with one sack, five interceptions and a fumble returned for a touchdown. Advertisement If the Gators get even half the player that Hester was in Williams, then they may have found themselves one of the next big players in college football. Related: Jac Caglianone Shines During First Week in MLB Related: DJ Lagway Reacts to Florida's Latest Recruiting Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees include Jared Allen, Antonio Gates
This year's NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame class only featured four former players, a bit of a surprise considering how big last year's class was. However, these four players are icons in the game, from one of the best tight ends to ever play the game to one of the most ferocious pass-rushers ever to sack opposing quarterbacks. The honorees were unveiled during Thursday night's NFL Honors ceremony in New Orleans. While there were no quarterbacks inducted in this year's class, these four players were very deserving to have themselves enshrined in Canton among the game's best talents. Let's look at this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class and recall last year's class while we're at it, too. Dwight Freeney Devin Hester Andre Johnson Julius Peppers Patrick Willis Randy Gradishar (senior) Steve McMichael (senior) This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees include Jared Allen, Antonio Gates
