Devin Hester ponders retirement

ESPN ^ | December 31, 2012

[MinorityRepublican]

Chicago Bears receiver Devin Hester was so distraught Monday after hearing Lovie Smith was fired that he actually talked about retiring.

The 30-year-old Hester has one year left on his contract.

"I don't even know if I want to play again," Hester said. "That's been something on my mind for two years.

"It's not (much fun for me anymore). I've got my workers comp papers in my pocket. We'll see how I feel. I'm going to go home and talk to my wife and talk to my family and see where we go from there. I got two beautiful kids, man, two boys. A lot of stress has been on my mind lately."

Brian Urlacher has been one of Smith's strongest supporters and said he was shocked at the news. But Urlacher cautioned that some players would say things they didn't necessarily mean.

"We're all mad right now," Urlacher said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "We lost our head coach, they fired him, and we're all mad. We're going to say some things that we don't mean."

Hester, who didn't clarify the "workers comp" statement, said the stress has been production-related. One of the greatest return men in the history of the NFL, Hester never fully made the transition to receiver. His number of catches has declined each season from 57 in 2009 to 23 this season.

"Not being able to showcase my talents the way I want them to be able to be showcased. It's stressful," Hester said.

He was asked whether a change of scenery would help.

[gorush]

The Packers are looking for a kicker...can Hester kick?

[DIRTYSECRET]

He’s lyin’.

[GeronL]

workers comp?

for retiring?

[dr_lew]

Thought of The Hellstrom Chronicle right away. ( At 5:30 + ) "How did we spend our few hours? Tormented with questions of why we were born? Or like they, accepting the gift and gently saying goodbye?"

( Spent a couple of lifetimes trackin' that one down, I must say :-)

[Moonman62]

workers comp? for retiring?

UM didn't want Hester to play WR because he wasn't smart enough. Kick returns only.

[twister881]

“Run Forrest, run!!”

[cmsgop]

YUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!

[max americana]

He’s a friggin drama queen. The lifestyle and paycheck alone for these NFL millionaires won’t make you stop because “it’s not fun anymore” and all that bullsh*t.

[ducttape45]

You know what? Let him go, retire, leave. That man, as great of a return specialist he was/is, he's no elite receiver. He demanded the same pay as one and never produced. When the Bears were faced with having to let someone go to waivers because of a roster spot, they to let go someone who had more receiving yards and catching than Hester (Sanzenbacher).

Then yesterday he says, "The media, the false fans, you all got what you all wanted. Majority of you all wanted him out. As players, we wanted him in. I guess the false fans out-ruled us. I thought he was a great coach, probably one of the best coaches I have ever been around. He brought me in."

Just who does he think he is. What a prideful, arrogant, self-serving statement. Hester and those who have that same pride need to go next. The Bear's management let the player(s) dictate policy instead of the other way around. It's time to fix what is wrong in Chicago and it starts with letting people like Hester go.

[rabidralph]

So, is Hester mad because the jig is up on his limited skills and a new coach will get rid of him or what?