Jarrett Payton dropped a huge hint about Devin Hester “FINALLY” getting….

Jarrett Payton dropped a huge hint about Devin Hester “FINALLY” getting into the NFL Hall of Fame

For what seems like years, Devin Hester’s Hall of Fame candidacy has been a contentious topic in Chicago. Bears supporters have been furious that Hester isn’t nominated every year since she became eligible, claiming that the legendary return man changed the way that position was played. It’s hard to blame Hester for speaking out about his ambition to get in, and several Chicago-based sources suggest that this year might finally be the right one.

The most recent information comes from local Chicago sportscaster Jarrett Payton, who, given the circumstances, is definitely a reliable source on all things Bears.

In a report that he tweeted out on Tuesday afternoon, Payton stated that he felt this year would be the year that Hester finally received her gold jacket because of all the discussions he had about Hester with folks in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl:

He’s not the only member of the Chicago media to report something similar. Prominent radio personality David Kaplan made a similar statement on his ESPN1000 morning show, and several blogs that focus on the Bears have also reported on the story. Hester has been selected as one of the modern era finalists for three years running; fifteen former players are listed each season.

The 2024 class will be announced on Thursday, February 8th, live from Las Vegas – they’ll then, of course, be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in a ceremony later this summer.

Putting aside his hand-wringing about the first ballot, Hester’s qualifications make it difficult to dispute his nomination. During her 11-year professional career, which included eight seasons in Chicago, Hester broke multiple records in return games. With 19 touchdowns on kick and punt returns combined, 14 of which came on punts, he continues to lead the NFL in this category. When it comes to honors, he was selected to the 2000 NFL All-Decade team and won 13 Special Teams Player of the Week titles during his career. In addition, he holds the unique distinction of being the first player in NFL history to score against the Colts in Super Bowl XLI while still a rookie (!).

Hester will join a class that is already full of some of the top players from the NFL’s early 2000s era if she is elected. This year, he has a number of eligible teammates, including Jarred Allen, Dwight Freeney, Antonio Gates, Patrick Willis, Andre Johnson, Rodney Harrison, and Reggie Wayne. We can only hope that this is Hester’s year at last, if only because he deserves it and Chicago has been furious enough for far too long.

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