- published: 24 Sep 2015
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Devin Devorris Hester (born November 4, 1982) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Miami, where he was the first player in the university’s recent history to play in all three phases of American football: offense, defense and special teams.
Originally drafted as a cornerback, Hester quickly made an impact as a kick returner, and later became one of the team's starting wide receivers. Hester holds the NFL record for most all-time return touchdowns (punt and kick combined) and most all-time punt return touchdowns.
Devin Hester was born to Juanita Brown and Lenorris Hester, Sr. in Riviera Beach, Florida. His parents separated when he was a toddler. Before he became a teenager, his mother was severely injured in a car accident, while his father died of cancer two years later. His step-father, Derrick Brown, and brother, Lenorris, Jr., helped Hester escape his depression and rebuild his life by introducing him to football. He soon returned to his normal life and began to excel in sports and academics.