Devin Hester’s NFL career has come to a close.
The former Suncoast standout announced his retirement in a message he posted to Twitter Tuesday morning.
CURTAINS
Appreciate all of the love for all these years!!! Y’all made the ride incredible!!! pic.twitter.com/jkcVrRLcNI
— Devin Hester (@D_Hest23) December 12, 2017
Appreciate all of the love for all these years!!! Y’all made the ride incredible!!! A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Hester made a career for himself returning kicks and punts in the NFL.
He holds the NFL record for return touchdowns (20) and punt returns for TDs (14).
Former Suncoast football standout Devin Hester, who had his jersey retired by the school in October, announced his NFL retirement Tuesday. (Allen Eyestone/Palm Beach Post)
A second-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 2006, he ended up playing eight seasons for that franchise. He returned the opening kick at Super Bowl XLI for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.
Hester also played for the Falcons, Ravens and Seahawks during his career.
A native of Riviera Beach, Hester starred in football and track at Suncoast. He played cornerback, wide receiver and running back for the Chargers, and was rated Florida’s No. 1 prospect by SuperPrep and also was a USA Today first-team All-American.
He went on to star at the University of Miami from 2003-05, where he played offense, defense and special teams and scored six return touchdowns in his 32 games with the Hurricanes.
In October, Hester became the first Suncoast student-athlete to have his jersey retired.
“Suncoast is not only proud to have participated in Devin’ s jersey retirement, but also to have had the opportunity to watch him have a successful NFL career,” athletic director Kelli Erianne said. “We at Suncoast have been honored to be a part of his football life.”
