Devin Hester made kick and punt returns must-see TV during his Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears. Even players from opposing teams were spotted standing up from their benches to see what he’d do. He retired with every record in the book and will become the first pure return man to enter Canton later this year. Sadly, after he left the game, the NFL began cracking down hard on returns in general, especially kickoffs. It was felt the high-speed collisions that occurred during those plays led to far more injuries than necessary. Rules implemented over the past few years all but made returns extinct.
Only two players had more than 20 returns in 2023. That was down from 18 in 2022. It appears the league has recognized they might be making a mistake since the excitement for kickoffs from fans has vanished. As a result, the Competition Committee and owners decided to consider a drastic change to the kickoff format. It involved placing the majority of players only five yards apart from each other. The XFL introduced this style a couple of years ago to reduce collisions while encouraging more returns.
The rule passed this week. Longtime special teams coordinator John Fassel said the mentioning of Hester was a big reason they eventually got the votes they needed.
As discussions about the new kickoff rule went on, Devin Hester’s name “came up a lot,” according to Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel: pic.twitter.com/jYiifftvy1
The NFL gets called the No Fun League for many valid reasons. Still, it often has the presence of mind to know when they’ve taken things a step too far. Eliminating kickoffs entirely from the game doesn’t make it more fun to watch. It makes it more bland. The thrill of instant touchdowns on the first play of the game is what got fans on their feet. People would tune in just to make sure they didn’t miss it. Player safety is always important, but this serves as a good reminder that there are often better solutions to a problem than simply removing it.
Keeping the kickoff return alive is a proper nod of respect to all the things Devin Hester accomplished. He grew the game of football as nobody ever had before. No return man captured the imagination of an entire country like he did. There were great returners before him and after him, but none will ever be what he was. Hester was special. It is only fitting that this new rule will benefit his former team. Velus Jones Jr. is one of the better kick returners in the NFL. Now, he will get a chance to keep proving it.
