.Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterAug 1, 2024, 06:00 AM ETCloseCourtney Cronin signed up with ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings just before shifting to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a regular panelist on Around the Horn and also host of Best Week Ever Before on ESPN Radio. She additionally co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN thousand. She previously operated at the San Jose Mercury News as a mixeds media sporting activities journalist.By the time Devin Hester returned to his indigenous South Florida for the biggest game of his life in Super Dish XLI in Miami, the Chicago Bears' 24-year-old novice was well on his method to coming to be the most ideal profit professional in NFL history.The previous second-round selection, that starred for the Miami Hurricanes coming from 2003-05, had actually made first-team All-Pro acknowledgment as well as Pro Bowl honors by the time the Bears progressed to play the Indianapolis Colts on Feb. 4, 2007. Hester came back an occupation- and also league-high 47 puntings with 3 resulting in touchdowns in 2006. He likewise came back two firsts for goals and also racked up after coming back a missed out on basket 108 backyards versus the New york city Giants.The Colts possessed loads of movie to examine as they prepared for Chicago's many dangerous weapon. They had actually viewed Hester run a punt back 83 gardens for the okay goal to top off a 20-point rebound draw the Cardinals. They saw him tear past the St. Louis Rams twice in the same game to mark first profit touchdowns of 94 as well as 96 lawns, respectively.Yet after the Bears gained the piece shake inside a rainy Dolphin Coliseum in Miami Gardens as well as chosen to obtain, the Colts sent the opening kickoff right in to Hester's grasp.It took him each one of 14 secs to dash from where he handled Adam Vinatieri's first at Chicago's 8-yard line right into Indianapolis' goal, 92 yards away, all while enjoying themself on the videoboard as he tape-recorded the only TD yield of an opening kickoff in Super Bowl history.The disappointment from an ultimate 29-17 reduction to the Colts performed little to vanish the play that emphasizes Hester's Venue of Prominence ru00e9sumu00e9. His influence will be enshrined in Canton this weekend break as the 1st gamer chosen to the Pro Football Hall of Fame initially as a kick returner a gamer that stimulated some of the absolute most well-known minutes in NFL history.Devin Hester really started the Super Dish along with a house phone call Some of the greatest kick returners ever before transforms 40 today.( via @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 come up with a strategy for Hester that focused on him not touching the round. While the Bears' exclusive staffs units were actually the best eruptive in the game, the Colts rated 30th in kickoff coverage as well as 32nd in punt coverage. Below is just how that planning ultimately accepted some of the most interesting plays in Super Dish history.Darrell Reid, Colts protective side: "They weren't a dangerous aggressive staff. They had [pass receiver Muhsin Muhammad], they had [pass receiver] Bernard Berrian. But insurance coverage, return, they had the greatest unique crews system in the NFL. Bar none. And the very best returner, most likely in NFL history." Tony Dungy, Colts head trainer: "Our experts were kicking to the corners, we're jumping the sphere, our company're squibbing it, our experts are actually punting high, or our experts are actually punting out of bounds. Our team pointed out, 'He's certainly not going to be an element. Our experts think our company can manage their outburst.'" Vinatieri: "Many of his returns for touchdowns were punts, not necessarily kickoffs [Hester came back 3 puntings and also 2 firsts for TDs in 2006] We knew without a doubt the strategic plan was don't punt the sphere to him. Try to punt it 40 backyards, forty five lawns, away from bounds. Compromise some range yet perform not allow him get the ball in his palms." We considered it the other method and also failed to desire to sacrifice a ton of yardage on first things, so since we've obtained a couple of our beginners in there, allow's make an effort to affix him behind-the-scenes as well as view if our experts may overload that side as well as attempt to lessen his gain. Our team exercised that all week long. It had not been even like our team were fretted to kick a touchback. Our company were additional concerned about reaching it over in the section, and if he records it at the 2- or 3-yard pipe however it's actually near the sideline, then our experts could possibly make an effort to container him in a bit." Reid: "The tactical plan was our experts're certainly not mosting likely to kick to him. He's also risky." Times prior to the activity on Feb. 4, 2007, Dungy transformed his mind.Dungy: "Among our pastors gave a chapel solution prior to the activity and referred to David and also Goliath as well as claimed, 'The reason David achieved success is he had not been terrified. All the various other Israelites were afraid of Goliath.' So I started believing, am I placing concern into our men' hearts? Am I playing this incorrect? Our company can't fear of Devin Hester.Devin Hester was actually as stunned as any person that the Colts were stopping to him to open up Super Bowl XLI. As the rain became, Hester took the settle back and also made past history. Donald Miralle/Getty ImagesSo, in the nick of time, I modified my mind and also claimed if our team lose the throw, we're heading to start. Our company're visiting boot it to him, and also I prefer you to go down as well as extra pound him. As well as when our company knock their champ down, that's going to deliver a message just like David." I spoke about it with Russ Purnell, our exclusive crews train, and also naturally he said our company can deal with, our company can possibly do this. Our company'll acquire him in the Super Dish. Everyone wants to have their minute. No person intends to head out certainly there as well as only mention, 'Hey, our company weren't portion of this, or even we failed to assist.' So it was actually mutual, however in the end of the time, it was my choice." Reid: "2 or even 3 times prior to the game I moved the individuals to encourage Coach Dungy. I claimed, 'Our experts may handle him. Our company'll be alright.' You might say to [Dungy] regreted concerning performing it, however he feels like: 'OK, I trust you fellas.'" Dave Toub, Bears exclusive staffs planner: "Every video game that our experts possessed, it was actually constantly a concern of who's heading to boot to him, that isn't going to boot to him. We understood that they had actually talked about not booting to him, but we regularly presumed as a workers that they were actually visiting boot to our team in the Super Bowl just because it's the Super Bowl." That's what I informed them Sunday evening. I pointed out, 'They're mosting likely to boot the ball right to our company.'" An unforeseen storm moved right into the Miami place on game time and also dumped almost one in of rain over the roofless Dolphin Stadium throughout the night. A group of 74,512 viewed Hester and also the Bears first gain staff trot onto the industry to acquire the opening zing following 5 p.m. ET.John Gilmore, Bears tight end: "As a newbie, his peace of mind when he took the area was actually unreal. Our company took a ton of satisfaction in blocking for him. Special groups wasn't a job. It really did not believe that you were being actually reprimanded for certainly not being a starter. Any time you tromped the industry with him in the yield game, it was like, 'Man, our team can get it to our home.'" Chris Harris, Bears safety: "This is actually pre-smartphones. I remember observing all these flashes click when the ball is actually being actually kicked off. That was actually unreal." Gilmore: "Going out to the video game coming from the closet area experienced unique. I have actually never felt everything like it. It was like the flicks. There were actually Classical candle lights being shot up and all the ashes were actually coming down in slow motion. It absolutely possessed me bugged out. I reached the subsidiary as well as it resembled, 'Whoa, what merely occurred?' And then our company succeed the coin toss and also our team are actually obtaining. Talk about an adrenaline rush." Tony Medlin, Bears tools manager: "I mentioned if it uses completion region, obtain that ball for him. That's what was in my thoughts given that it was never done, had actually never been done prior to." Vinatieri: "Honestly it never ever entered my mind that he will jog a round back for a goal. It really didn't. I have actually possessed two of all of them in Super Bowls. I booted one to [Eco-friendly Bay Packers large receiver/return professional Desmond Howard] as well as he operated it back for a goal. So it took place to me before, yet at no time was I thinking, 'Oh my gosh, it's going to happen once again.' 2024 Pro Volleyball Hall of FameThe Venue of Prominence Game between the Bears and Texans (8 p.m. ET, Aug. 1) are going to be actually aired on ESPN, ABC as well as ESPN Deportes. u2022 Pair of plays that specify Julius Peppers u2022 Gradishar induction long outstanding u2022 Freeney places twist on legacy u2022 Mongo's battle, trip to HOF u2022 Meet the inductees." I wasn't fearful when our company performed it. I assumed, our experts'll place him in the corner, our team'll tackle him inside the 25 and also our experts'll feel good regarding our own selves. And that's never what occurred." Hester [to ChicagoBears.com]: "The words that showed up of my mouth [when he found the round headed his means] were actually 'Divine s--.'" Hester received Vinatieri's zing at the 8-yard line and added industry to the 20. The closest a Colts guardian would certainly reach addressing him was security Marlin Jackson, who was inches far from Hester, that increased out of his understanding. The Bears' wedge containing Gilmore, Israel Idonije and also Gabe Reid made a space for Hester to blast past the 1st surge of Indianapolis guardians as he neared the Super Dish logo and also started sprinting 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 performed. He beat everybody each time he carried out that. The center of the industry was gold for Devin. They didn't would like to boot it down the center to Devin, but they relatively were thinking of it excessive, and also if you think you're trumped. If they kick it down the middle of the field, I understood he was heading to credit rating." I always kept referring to him remaining in his lawn [on the program] I think I pointed out, 'Coming from Riviera Coastline to the most significant stage in sports, Devin Hester, you are ludicrous.'" Harris: "I bear in mind reaching a fella, it was actually possibly around the little Super Bowl logo design. I broke this individual as well as kind of saw [Devin] flashing by. And also when I shifted and I observed he was actually out and all the Colts white colored jerseys chasing him, I pointed out, 'Okay, I have actually got to go satisfy him.' So I just took off on a lifeless sprint since I understood he was actually racking up." Vinatieri: "As soon as he got past our first wave of guys, then we have a safety on each edge and me in the middle. I recognized I was also far away from him. If I might get close sufficient to him to at the very least slow him down, possibly the search could possibly get to him. Yet he juked the piss out of me, as well. That's the important things concerning Devin. When he has a bit of room, keeping that dream, he's unstoppable.Chicago's Devin Hester ethnicities 92 gardens for a touchdown along with the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI. Joe Rimkus Jr./ Miami Herald/MCT" When I dove and also failed to touch him in any way, I was like 'damn.' It is actually amusing because after one play, my shirt is dirtier than anybody's on the field." Hester [to ChicagoBears.com]: "There was way too much open industry, so I recognized best then as well as there certainly [after Vinatieri's effort] It had not been a situation where I was pinned to a side project and possessed the sideline working against me. Our team were in the open industry, so I understood he had not been going to get me." Joniak: "I always remember [Colts linebacker] Matt Giordano was tracking him down and also Devin sought out. I was actually thinking about why he was actually searching for eventually to learn that he was considering himself on the scoreboard. Matt caught him and also merely stumbled him up and he detected the end zone for the goal." The Bears' energy will advance the following ride as they opened a 14-6 top, yet the Colts took management in the second zone for a 16-14 halftime edge.Toub: "Our team started the video game with a touchdown as well as our team thought it was actually going to be an ass-whipping. Definitely really did not wind up in this way, although we emerged and our team obtained a choice right afterwards, extremely. Our company presumed we possessed all kinds of momentum then and then undoubtedly it found yourself changing on our company." Dwight Freeney, Colts defensive end: "I think the one point about that was it was the very first play of the video game. That in fact done work in our advantage due to the fact that if it was actually just about anything later than that, like in in the fourth quarter, it would certainly feel like, 'Oh my The lord!' It will be a difficult trait to bounce back from." However we had 4 one-fourths to recuperate and also place that responsible for our company. So, for our team it was sort of like, 'All right, our team attempted. Embarassment on our company and then we can maintain it moving right now.' Considering that eventually, we understood offensively our company were mosting likely to record greater than 7 points, and also I knew defensively our experts were actually going to maintain them coming from scoring." Vinatieri: "Their whole entire group is ignited and excited. Currently when they kick off to our team, their protection is actually going to be actually happening a thousand kilometers an hour considering that the drive is already on their edge ... yet the fact that there was actually still 59 1/2 moments left behind in the activity, we understood it had not been over whatsoever. Our team just knew that this is actually the guy that will wreck the ready our team if our team do not prevent that. And clearly merely seeing that initial play was evidence of that. Let's certainly not boot him an additional round." Gilmore: "They acquired intelligent as well as determined to boot it to John Gilmore. I had pair of gains during that activity. That's what occurs when Devin takes the position first for a touchdown." ESPN's Stephen Holder added to this record.