.Courtney Cronin, ESPN Workers WriterAug 1, 2024, 06:00 AM ETCloseCourtney Cronin signed up with ESPN in 2017, originally dealing with the Minnesota Vikings just before switching over to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is actually a recurring panelist on Around the Horn and host of Utmost Full week Ever Before on ESPN Broadcast. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She formerly worked at the San Jose Mercury Updates as a mixeds media sporting activities journalist.By the time Devin Hester came back to his native South Fla for the biggest video game of his lifestyle in Super Dish XLI in Miami, the Chicago Bears' 24-year-old novice was actually properly on his means to ending up being the very best gain professional in NFL history.The past second-round choice, that starred for the Miami Hurricanes from 2003-05, had actually currently gotten first-team All-Pro awareness and Pro Bowl honors by the opportunity the Bears accelerated to play the Indianapolis Colts on Feb. 4, 2007. Hester came back a career- and league-high 47 puntings with three causing touchdowns in 2006. He additionally came back pair of kickoffs for touchdowns as well as racked up after returning a missed basket 108 lawns versus the New York Giants.The Colts had loads of film to analyze as they got ready for Chicago's a lot of hazardous weapon. They had actually seen Hester run a punt back 83 backyards for the permission goal to cap off a 20-point comeback sway the Cardinals. They observed him rip past the St. Louis Rams two times in the same game to scratch first return goals of 94 and also 96 yards, respectively.Yet after the Bears won the piece throw inside a wet Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens as well as chosen to obtain, the Colts sent the opening first right in to Hester's grasp.It took him each one of 14 secs to run from where he handled Adam Vinatieri's kickoff at Chicago's 8-yard line into Indianapolis' end zone, 92 lawns away, all while seeing himself on the videoboard as he videotaped the only TD yield of an opening kickoff in Super Bowl history.The frustration coming from a resulting 29-17 reduction to the Colts did little bit of to fade the play that accentuates Hester's Hall of Prominence ru00e9sumu00e9. His impact is going to be enshrined in Canton this weekend break as the first gamer elected to the Pro Regulation Football Hall of Popularity primarily as a kick returner a player who stimulated among the best well-known seconds in NFL history.Devin Hester really began the Super Dish along with a property telephone call Some of the best kick returners ever before switches 40 today.( through @NFLLegacy) pic.twitter.com/dfnDfTke3Cu2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) Nov 4, 2022 For two weeks in the lead-up to Super Bowl XLI, the Colts had actually produced a strategic plan for Hester that revolved around him certainly not touching the sphere. While the Bears' unique staffs devices were the absolute most explosive in the league, the Colts rated 30th in first coverage and also 32nd in punt coverage. Right here is exactly how that plan ultimately yielded to one of the absolute most thrilling plays in Super Dish history.Darrell Reid, Colts protective side: "They weren't a dangerous offensive team. They possessed [pass receiver Muhsin Muhammad], they possessed [pass receiver] Bernard Berrian. However insurance coverage, return, they possessed the greatest exclusive groups unit in the NFL. Bar none. As well as the very best returner, possibly in NFL past history." Tony Dungy, Colts head trainer: "We were actually booting to the corners, we are actually bouncing the round, our experts're squibbing it, our team're punting higher, or even our company're punting out of bounds. Our experts pointed out, 'He's certainly not going to be actually a factor. Our team think our team can regulate their offense.'" Vinatieri: "The majority of his profits for touchdowns were puntings, certainly not always kickoffs [Hester returned three puntings and 2 firsts for TDs in 2006] We understood for sure the game plan was actually don't punt the round to him. Make an effort to punt it 40 yards, 45 backyards, out of bounds. Sacrifice some span yet do certainly not permit him get the round in his hands." Our team dealt with it the other way and failed to want to compromise a lot of yardage on kickoff things, therefore because our company have actually acquired a couple of our starters therein, permit's attempt to affix him behind-the-scenes and also view if our company can easily overload that edge and also try to minimize his gain. Our company practiced that all week long. It wasn't also like our experts were worried to kick a touchback. We were additional worried regarding striking it over in the edge, as well as if he captures it at the 2- or 3-yard line but it is actually truly near to the side project, then our team could try to package him in a bit." Reid: "The game plan was our company're not heading to kick to him. He's also dangerous." Days before the game on Feb. 4, 2007, Dungy changed his mind.Dungy: "Among our pastors provided a church service prior to the activity and referred to David as well as Goliath and also claimed, 'The explanation David was successful is he had not been afraid. All the other Israelites feared of Giant.' So I started assuming, am I placing concern in to our guys' hearts? Am I playing this wrong? Our team can not fear of Devin Hester.Devin Hester was actually as shocked as any person that the Colts were actually kicking to him to open up Super Bowl XLI. As the rainfall fell, Hester took the sit back and made history. Donald Miralle/Getty ImagesSo, in the nick of time, I changed my mind as well as claimed if our team shed the shake, our company are actually mosting likely to begin. Our experts're mosting likely to boot it to him, as well as I want you to go down as well as pound him. And when we knock their champion down, that is actually going to send out a message much like David." I discussed it along with Russ Purnell, our unique groups instructor, as well as certainly he said our team may cover, our experts can possibly do this. We'll obtain him in the Super Bowl. Everybody desires to possess their minute. Nobody desires to head out there as well as merely mention, 'Hey, our experts weren't portion of this, or we didn't support.' So it was shared, but in the end of the day, it was my choice." Reid: "2 or even 3 times before the game I moved the guys to encourage Train Dungy. I said, 'Our experts may handle him. Our experts'll be actually fine.' You could say to [Dungy] worried regarding performing it, yet he's like: 'OK, I trust you individuals.'" Dave Toub, Bears unique crews planner: "Every game that our experts possessed, it was consistently a question of that's mosting likely to boot to him, who isn't heading to kick to him. We knew that they had actually spoken about not kicking to him, yet our team consistently assumed as a workers that they were actually visiting kick to our company in the Super Dish even if it's the Super Dish." That's what I informed them Sunday evening. I pointed out, 'They are actually visiting boot the sphere right to us.'" An unpredicted storm relocated in to the Miami place on activity day as well as dumped almost one in of rain over the roofless Dolphin Stadium throughout the evening. A group of 74,512 enjoyed Hester and also the Bears kickoff yield team trot onto the industry to obtain the position kick just after 5 p.m. ET.John Gilmore, Bears limited end: "As a novice, his confidence when he took the area was actually unbelievable. Our team took a great deal of honor in obstructing for him. Unique staffs had not been a duty. It didn't feel like you were actually being disciplined for not being a starter. At any time you stepped on the area with him in the gain activity, it resembled, 'Male, we may take it to your house.'" Chris Harris, Bears security: "This is actually pre-smartphones. I always remember observing all these flashes hit when the ball is actually being began. That was unreal." Gilmore: "Ending to the video game coming from the storage locker space experienced unique. I've never ever really felt just about anything like it. It resembled the movies. There were Roman candlesticks being soared and all the cinders were coming down in slow mo. It totally had me annoyed out. I got to the subsidiary as well as it was like, 'Whoa, what merely occurred?' And after that our experts gain the coin toss and our company are actually receiving. Discuss an adrenaline thrill." Tony Medlin, Bears tools manager: "I stated if it enters the end area, get that reception for him. That's what remained in my mind due to the fact that it was actually never ever performed, had actually certainly never been done just before." Vinatieri: "Truthfully it never entered my thoughts that he would rush a ball back for a goal. It truly didn't. I've had 2 of them in Super Dishes. I kicked one to [Environment-friendly Bay Packers vast receiver/return specialist Desmond Howard] and also he functioned it back for a touchdown. So it took place to me just before, yet at no opportunity was I assuming, 'Oh my gosh, it's visiting occur once more.' 2024 Pro Soccer Hall of FameThe Venue of Popularity Game between the Bears and also Texans (8 p.m. ET, Aug. 1) will be televised on ESPN, ABC and also ESPN Deportes. u2022 Two participates in that determine Julius Peppers u2022 Gradishar induction long outstanding u2022 Freeney puts twist on legacy u2022 Mongo's battle, experience to HOF u2022 Meet the conscripts." I had not been fearful when our experts performed it. I presumed, our team'll place him in the section, our team'll confront him inside the 25 as well as our company'll experience fair about our own selves. And also is actually never what happened." Hester [to ChicagoBears.com]: "The words that showed up of my mouth [when he found the round headed his means] were actually 'Holy s--.'" Hester obtained Vinatieri's zing at the 8-yard line and also ran up industry to the 20. The closest a Colts defender will reach handling him was protection Marlin Jackson, who was inches away from Hester, who sped up off of his understanding. The Bears' block containing Gilmore, Israel Idonije and Gabe Reid generated a gap for Hester to blow past the initial surge of Indianapolis protectors as he neared the Super Dish logo design and also started sprinting parallel to the Bears' sideline.Jeff Joniak, play-by-play vocal for WBBM: "When he made the cut to the middle of the industry, I just knew it. That's what he carried out. He beat everybody whenever he carried out that. The middle of the industry was gold for Devin. They really did not wish to kick it down the middle to Devin, but they seemingly were actually thinking of it a lot of, and also if you believe you're beat. If they kick it down the middle of the field, I knew he was actually visiting credit rating." I kept referring to him remaining in his yard [on the program] I believe I pointed out, 'Coming from Riviera Beach to the greatest phase in sports, Devin Hester, you are ludicrous.'" Harris: "I always remember striking a fella, it was most likely around the little bit of Super Bowl company logo. I nicked this man and type of saw [Devin] flashing by. And also when I reversed and I viewed he was out and all the Colts white jerseys chasing him, I stated, 'Okay, I've reached go fulfill him.' So I merely took off on a lifeless sprint considering that I recognized he was scoring." Vinatieri: "The moment he got past our 1st surge of fellas, then we have a safety and security on each side and me in between. I understood I was also away from him. If I could acquire close sufficient to him to at least slow him down, possibly the interest might reach him. Yet he juked the piss out of me, also. That's the many things about Devin. When he possesses a bit of room, with that vision, he's unstoppable.Chicago's Devin Hester ethnicities 92 gardens for a goal with the position kickoff in Super Bowl XLI. Joe Rimkus Jr./ Miami Herald/MCT" When I jumped and really did not touch him whatsoever, I resembled 'damn.' It's funny since after one play, my shirt is dirtier than anybody's on the industry." Hester [to ChicagoBears.com]: "There was too much open area, so I recognized appropriate after that and also certainly there [after Vinatieri's effort] It had not been a circumstance where I was affixed to a side project and also had the sideline antagonizing me. Our experts were in the available area, so I understood he had not been going to acquire me." Joniak: "I always remember [Colts linebacker] Matt Giordano was actually tracking him down as well as Devin sought out. I was actually pondering why he was actually looking up eventually to find out that he was looking at themself on the scoreboard. Matt captured him and just stumbled him up and also he tumbled into completion zone for the goal." The Bears' momentum would advance the following ride as they opened a 14-6 lead, yet the Colts took command in the 2nd sector for a 16-14 halftime edge.Toub: "Our company began the game with a goal as well as our experts assumed it was actually visiting be actually an ass-whipping. Truly didn't end up in this way, even though our company appeared and our company acquired a pick right afterwards, extremely. We presumed our experts had all sort of energy then and afterwards certainly it ended up changing on our company." Dwight Freeney, Colts protective point: "I believe the one thing about that was it was actually the 1st play of the activity. That actually done work in our benefit because if it was anything behind that, like in in the fourth one-fourth, it would certainly resemble, 'Oh my God!' It would certainly be actually a challenging factor to recoup from." However we had 4 one-fourths to recoup and place that behind our company. Therefore, for our company it was actually type of like, 'All right, our experts tried. Shame on our team and then our experts can easily maintain it moving right now.' Considering that in the long run, we knew offensively we were actually visiting rack up more than 7 points, as well as I knew defensively our company were actually going to maintain them coming from racking up." Vinatieri: "Their entire staff is actually ignited and also thrilled. Now when they kick off to our company, their defense is actually visiting be happening a thousand kilometers a hr given that the energy is actually presently on their edge ... however the reality that there was still 59 1/2 minutes left in the activity, we knew it had not been over by any means. Our company just knew that this is the individual that is going to ravage the game for our company if our team don't prevent that. And definitely merely watching that first play was actually proof of that. Allow's certainly not kick him an additional sphere." Gilmore: "They got smart and made a decision to kick it to John Gilmore. I had pair of returns because activity. That's what occurs when Devin takes the opening first for a goal." ESPN's Stephen Owner helped in this file.