NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Devin Hester served himself a Gold Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket in a way that no player ever has by primarily acting as a kicking trip.
Hester has the NFL record for most careers combined Kick Return Touchdowns (20) and Punt Return TouchDowns (14). No other player has run more than four points returns in a single season, which horses did in 2007.
So when it comes to the league’s new kickoff rules that have been strongly discussed since their rate last season, horses are one whose opinion carries weight.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class from 2024 member Devin Hester poses with his bust at his posting ceremony in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Charles Leclaire/USA Today Sports)
“I like the new kickoff rules,” he told Pakinomist Digital after leading service members through USA’s Honer of Service NFL Boot Camp at Chicago Bears’ Complex this week. “I like them because I feel it gives the return an opportunity to get your hands on the ball, and it also punishes the kick team. For me it’s almost like you’re trying to find a way to bring the return game back where it used to be.”
The dynamic kickoff rule was viewed through last season and it is back in 2025. The goal is to increase the number of kickoff returns by making them look more like scimmage playments than kicks off.
For those who are not aware of the rule, the setup has completely changed from traditional kickoffs. The Kicking team is on the receiving team’s 40-yard line, while the receiving team has a “setup zone” between the 30- and 35-yard lines.
The NFL legend understands why Deion Sanders still coaching in spite of cancerous fighting
The league has a “landing zone” between the 20-yard line and the receiving team’s goal line, and kicks that landed must be returned. And horses enjoy seeing that players on both sides are not allowed to move until the return man touches the ball or the ball hits the grass in the landing zone.
“The setup and how they have it [players] 10 meters apart from each other is something that many people have to get used to. Virtually everyone in the league has to get used to it. I would love to be in the situation where I have guys 10 meters apart and they cannot move until I touch the ball, ”horses explained.
“As a returner you will find a hole and you hit it. And there is no one else out there. I would very much like to play in this type of era and this type of return game.”
Hester may be in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, but he is envious players get this new kickoff rule.
Chicago Bears wide receives Devin Hester returns a kickoff against Detroit Lions during the second half of Soldier Field. (Mike Dinovo/USA Today Sports)
“I would have been a first-ballot [Hall of Famer]No doubt, with these new rules, man, “said horses and laughed.” But hey, that’s what it is. I’m glad I made the Hall of Fame. For me, my return game was shot away because of the new rule and being able to kick the ball out of boundaries and kick touchbacks. Being able to have the opportunity, you didn’t even have to have a strong leg because they moved the ball so far. You can have a decent leg and still kick touchbacks. “
When Hester played, Touchbacks went to the 20-yard line, which seemed like a no-brainer when he turned to him if the kicker had the leg to start it out of the end zone. It moved to the 25-yard line in 2018, and the new kickoff rule has touchbacks starting at the 30-yard line.
In 2025, Touchbacks go on Kickoffs to the 35-yard line, making it even more important for Kickers to get that ball in the landing zone.
“It limited me, but now they are forced to kick it. I greet them,” Hester said of the league. “I’m glad they changed the rules because it gives guys the opportunity to get their hands on the ball.”
Serving those who serve us
In Chicago, the horses took the field after the bears had their latest training camp practices to put service members through a reality combination thanks to USAA, the official honor of the NFL service partner.
These boot camps have exercises similar to those used by NFL coaches to evaluate talent at the NFL Scouting Combine, including the 40-Yard strike, wide jumps, three-cone shuttle and more.
Hall of Famer Devin Hester before a game between Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. (Daniel Bartel/Imag images)
These boot camps have been in place for years, but they now have a live leaderboard to capture and monitor the participants’ scores in real time, which horses said added competitiveness.
“It was very exciting and it was a unique situation that was among these guys and seeing them having fun. At the end of the day they all had fun and competed. So it was a big reason for today,” horses said of the experience.
“I can relate to them because I have a few cousins that are my age that were in these types of services. Just to choose the brains of these guys, their daily routine, and it looks like the stories that my family members told me. Of course, my family members were true football fans too, so they had the opportunity to choose my brain too when it comes to football. daily routines and had a great time from there. ”
