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Devin Hester's brief stay with the Seattle Seahawks is over -- and it appears that he's ready to call it a career. The top kick returner in NFL history is set to retire after the Seahawks were eliminated by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday in an NFC divisional playoff game.
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"I told my wife this is pretty much my last year," Hester said after the game. "I was hoping for a run to the Super Bowl. The only thing that I left out of this game is walking away without getting a ring. It's tough."
If it was Hester's last game, he was impressive. He ran back five kickoffs for 194 yards, including a 78-yarder, and had an 80-yard punt return negated by a penalty in the Seahawks' 36-20 loss.
"We were prepared for it, and he still made some terrific plays," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
The 34-year-old could have a case for becoming the first return man to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He holds NFL records for total career kick returns for touchdowns with 20, career punt returns for touchdowns with 14 and returns for touchdowns in a season with six.
The Seahawks signed Hester for the playoffs after losing returner Tyler Lockett to a broken leg.
Hester was released from the Baltimore Ravens in December. The 11-year veteran was slowed by injuries and averaged 7.2 yards on punt returns and 24.5 yards on kickoff returns.
Hester's best years were his eight with the Chicago Bears. He was with the Atlanta Falcons for two seasons before going to the Ravens in 2016.
Hester scored seven touchdowns on punt returns and four on kickoffs in his first two years with the Bears in 2006 and 2007.
As a receiver, his best seasons were 51 catches for 665 yards and three touchdowns in 2008, 57 receptions for 757 yards and three touchdowns the following year and 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns in 2010.
In 2014 with the Falcons, Hester caught 38 passes for 504 yards (13.3-yard average) and two touchdowns. He also had his last punt return for a touchdown that year.
