.Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterAug 1, 2024, 06:00 AM ETCloseCourtney Cronin participated in ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings prior to shifting to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is actually a constant panelist on Around the Horn as well as host of Best Full week Ever on ESPN Broadcast. She likewise co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She recently worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a mixeds media sports journalist.By the moment Devin Hester returned to his native South Fla for the most significant activity of his lifestyle in Super Bowl XLI in Miami, the Chicago Bears' 24-year-old newbie was actually effectively on his means to ending up being the most effective yield expert in NFL history.The past second-round choice, that starred for the Miami Hurricanes coming from 2003-05, had actually already made first-team All-Pro recognition and Pro Bowl honors due to the opportunity the Bears advanced to participate in the Indianapolis Colts on Feb. 4, 2007. Hester returned an occupation- as well as league-high 47 punts with three causing goals in 2006. He additionally came back two kickoffs for touchdowns as well as racked up after returning a missed basket 108 backyards versus the New york city Giants.The Colts had lots of movie to examine as they organized Chicago's a lot of risky tool. They had actually viewed Hester manage a punting back 83 lawns for the green light goal to cover off a 20-point revival draw the Cardinals. They saw him tear past the St. Louis Rams two times in the same video game to mark kickoff profit goals of 94 as well as 96 lawns, respectively.Yet after the Bears succeeded the piece toss inside a rainy Dolphin Arena in Miami Gardens and selected to get, the Colts delivered the opening kickoff right into Hester's grasp.It took him each of 14 few seconds to sprint where he fielded Adam Vinatieri's first at Chicago's 8-yard line into Indianapolis' end line, 92 lawns away, all while watching himself on the videoboard as he documented the only TD profit of an opening first in Super Dish history.The setback from an eventual 29-17 loss to the Colts did little to vanish the play that emphasizes Hester's Hall of Popularity ru00e9sumu00e9. His effect will certainly be actually enshrined in Canton this weekend break as the very first gamer elected to the Pro Soccer Hall of Prominence first and foremost as a zing returner a player that triggered some of one of the most iconic instants in NFL history.Devin Hester really began the Super Dish along with a house phone call Some of the best zing returners ever before switches 40 today.( through @NFLLegacy) pic.twitter.com/dfnDfTke3Cu2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 4, 2022 For two full weeks in the lead-up to Super Bowl XLI, the Colts had produced a strategic plan for Hester that focused on him certainly not touching the ball. While the Bears' unique groups systems were actually the best explosive in the organization, the Colts positioned 30th in kickoff coverage and 32nd in punt coverage. Here is how that program essentially yielded to one of the most thrilling plays in Super Dish history.Darrell Reid, Colts defensive end: "They weren't a hazardous offensive team. They possessed [pass receiver Muhsin Muhammad], they possessed [wide receiver] Bernard Berrian. But insurance coverage, come back, they had the very best special teams unit in the NFL. Bar none. As well as the most ideal returner, most likely in NFL background." Tony Dungy, Colts head coach: "Our team were actually kicking to the corners, we are actually jumping the ball, our experts're squibbing it, our experts're punting higher, or our team're punting out of bounds. We said, 'He is actually not mosting likely to be a factor. Our experts think our experts can easily handle their offense.'" Vinatieri: "A lot of his returns for goals were actually puntings, certainly not automatically kickoffs [Hester came back three puntings and pair of firsts for TDs in 2006] We knew for sure the strategic plan was do not punt the sphere to him. Make an effort to punt it 40 gardens, 45 gardens, out of bounds. Compromise some span however carry out not permit him acquire the round in his palms." We thought about it the other method and also didn't wish to sacrifice a lots of yardage on first things, so since our team have actually received a couple of our beginners therein, permit's try to affix him in a corner and also find if we can easily overload that side and also try to minimize his yield. Our team performed that all week long. It had not been also like our team were actually worried to kick a touchback. Our team were even more interested concerning reaching it over in the corner, as well as if he records it at the 2- or 3-yard pipe yet it is actually truly close to the side project, then we can attempt to carton him in a little bit." Reid: "The tactical plan was we are actually certainly not heading to boot to him. He is actually also risky." Times before the video game on Feb. 4, 2007, Dungy altered his mind.Dungy: "Among our chaplains offered a church company just before the video game and also discussed David and Giant as well as said, 'The reason David succeeded is he wasn't afraid. All the other Israelites hesitated of Giant.' So I started believing, am I putting concern into our individuals' hearts? Am I playing this wrong? Our experts can't fear of Devin Hester.Devin Hester was as startled as any person that the Colts were kicking to him to open up Super Dish XLI. As the rain fell, Hester took the kick back and created past history. Donald Miralle/Getty ImagesSo, in the nick of time, I modified my thoughts as well as stated if our experts shed the toss, our team're heading to start. Our company are actually mosting likely to boot it to him, as well as I prefer you to drop as well as pound him. As well as when our team take their champ down, that is actually heading to deliver a notification just like David." I spoke about it along with Russ Purnell, our unique teams train, and certainly he claimed our experts may deal with, we can possibly do this. We'll acquire him in the Super Dish. Everybody would like to have their moment. Nobody desires to walk out there certainly and only say, 'Hey, our team weren't component of this, or our team really did not support.' So it was shared, yet at the end of the time, it was my selection." Reid: "Two or even three times just before the activity I moved the individuals to entice Coach Dungy. I claimed, 'We may handle him. We'll be great.' You can inform [Dungy] regreted regarding performing it, but he feels like: 'OK, I trust you guys.'" Dave Toub, Bears special crews coordinator: "Every game that our experts possessed, it was actually constantly a concern of that is actually visiting boot to him, that isn't visiting boot to him. We understood that they had actually talked about certainly not kicking to him, but our experts always presumed as a team that they were actually mosting likely to boot to us in the Super Bowl just because it's the Super Dish." That's what I told all of them Saturday night. I said, 'They're visiting kick the ball right to our team.'" An unpredicted tornado moved in to the Miami place on video game day as well as poured virtually one in of storm over the roofless Dolphin Coliseum throughout the night. A crowd of 74,512 seen Hester and the Bears first gain team trot onto the field to get the opening zing following 5 p.m. ET.John Gilmore, Bears strict end: "As a rookie, his self-confidence when he took the area was actually unbelievable. Our team took a ton of pride in blocking for him. Exclusive teams wasn't a duty. It failed to believe that you were being punished for certainly not being actually a starter. Whenever you stepped on the industry with him in the profit video game, it felt like, 'Male, we can get it to the house.'" Chris Harris, Bears security: "This is pre-smartphones. I remember observing all these flashes hit when the ball is actually being started. That was actually unbelievable." Gilmore: "Running out to the game coming from the locker space felt surreal. I've certainly never felt anything like it. It was like the motion pictures. There were Classical candle lights being shot up plus all the ashes were actually boiling down in funeral pace. It completely possessed me pestered out. I reached the sideline as well as it felt like, 'Whoa, what just occurred?' And after that our experts win the piece throw and also we're getting. Refer to an adrenaline surge." Tony Medlin, Bears devices manager: "I mentioned if it enters the end region, get that reception for him. That's what remained in my thoughts considering that it was actually never ever performed, had certainly never been actually performed just before." Vinatieri: "Honestly it never ever entered my thoughts that he would jog a round back for a goal. It definitely failed to. I have actually possessed 2 of all of them in Super Containers. I kicked one to [Environment-friendly Gulf Packers vast receiver/return professional Desmond Howard] and he operated it back for a touchdown. So it happened to me before, however at no time was I believing, 'Oh my gosh, it is actually heading to take place once more.' 2024 Pro Volleyball Venue of FameThe Hall of Popularity Game between the Bears as well as Texans (8 p.m. ET, Aug. 1) are going to be aired on ESPN, ABC as well as ESPN Deportes. u2022 Pair of participates in that specify Julius Peppers u2022 Gradishar induction long past due u2022 Freeney puts spin on heritage u2022 Mongo's battle, trip to HOF u2022 Meet the conscripts." I had not been horrendous when our team performed it. I thought, our experts'll place him in the section, our company'll tackle him inside the 25 and also we'll experience fair concerning ourselves. Which is actually absolutely not what happened." Hester [to ChicagoBears.com]: "Words that came out of my oral cavity [when he observed the round headed his method] were actually 'Divine s--.'" Hester received Vinatieri's zing at the 8-yard line and ran up industry to the twenty. The closest a Colts protector would certainly reach addressing him was actually safety and security Marlin Jackson, that was ins far from Hester, that sped up far from his understanding. The Bears' block consisting of Gilmore, Israel Idonije as well as Gabe Reid created a void for Hester to blast past the very first surge of Indianapolis protectors as he neared the Super Dish company logo and also started dashing alongside the Bears' sideline.Jeff Joniak, play-by-play voice for WBBM: "When he made the cut halfway of the industry, I felt in one's bones it. That's what he did. He eluded everyone every time he did that. The middle of the industry was actually gold for Devin. They failed to desire to kick it down the mid to Devin, but they apparently were actually thinking of it a lot of, and if you assume you're defeated. If they boot it down the center of the industry, I understood he was actually visiting score." I kept talking about him residing in his yard [on the program] I feel I mentioned, 'Coming from Riviera Coastline to the greatest stage in sporting activities, Devin Hester, you are absurd.'" Harris: "I bear in mind striking a fella, it was actually most likely around the little bit of Super Dish logo. I nicked this man and also kind of saw [Devin] flashing through. And when I turned around as well as I found he was actually out and all the Colts white jackets chasing him, I pointed out, 'Okay, I have actually come to go fulfill him.' So I simply took off on a lifeless sprint since I understood he was actually racking up." Vinatieri: "The moment he got past our very first wave of men, after that our team possess a protection on each side and me in the middle. I understood I was actually as well distant from him. If I could acquire close good enough to him to at the very least slow-moving him down, maybe the interest can get to him. Yet he outwited the piss away from me, as well. That is actually the many things about Devin. When he possesses a bit of area, keeping that sight, he's unstoppable.Chicago's Devin Hester races 92 gardens for a touchdown with the opening kickoff in Super Dish XLI. Joe Rimkus Jr./ Miami Herald/MCT" When I jumped as well as really did not touch him in all, I resembled 'damn.' It is actually hilarious due to the fact that after one play, my shirt is actually dirtier than anyone's on the field." Hester [to ChicagoBears.com]: "There was actually way too much open field, so I recognized right then and also certainly there [after Vinatieri's attempt] It wasn't a scenario where I was pinned to a subsidiary and possessed the sideline working against me. Our experts remained in the available industry, so I knew he wasn't going to obtain me." Joniak: "I don't forget [Colts linebacker] Matt Giordano was actually tracking him down and also Devin searched for. I was actually wondering why he was actually finding eventually to discover that he was checking out himself on the scoreboard. Matt recorded him and also just slipped him up as well as he detected completion area for the touchdown." The Bears' momentum would advance the upcoming drive as they opened up a 14-6 top, yet the Colts took command in the second sector for a 16-14 halftime edge.Toub: "We started the video game along with a goal as well as our company assumed it was going to be actually an ass-whipping. Actually failed to wind up this way, although our company emerged as well as our company obtained a selection right after that, too. Our team assumed our experts possessed all sort of drive then and afterwards definitely it wound up shifting on our team." Dwight Freeney, Colts defensive end: "I presume the a single thing concerning that was it was actually the 1st play of the game. That actually worked in our advantage because if it was anything behind that, like in in the 4th one-fourth, it will feel like, 'Oh my The lord!' It will be actually a challenging trait to recuperate coming from." However our company possessed 4 fourths to recover and place that behind our team. So, for us it was actually kind of like, 'Okay, our company tried. Shame on our company and after that we can easily keep it relocating currently.' Due to the fact that in the long run, we understood offensively our team were heading to count more than 7 points, and also I recognized defensively we were going to maintain all of them coming from racking up." Vinatieri: "Their entire team is actually fired up and thrilled. Currently when they start to our company, their self defense is actually visiting be happening a thousand kilometers an hour given that the drive is actually actually on their side ... yet the fact that there was actually still 59 1/2 mins left behind in the activity, we knew it wasn't over by any means. We just knew that this is actually the guy that will trash the ready our team if our experts don't protect against that. As well as obviously only watching that first play was actually proof of that. Let's certainly not boot him one more round." Gilmore: "They acquired intelligent and also chose to kick it to John Gilmore. I had pair of profits during that game. That's what takes place when Devin takes the opening first for a touchdown." ESPN's Stephen Owner resulted in this document.