Devin Hester
He transformed the kickoff return from a routine play into a must-see event, scoring an unmatched number of times and forcing teams to kick away from him.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American football player·Birthday: November 4·Millennials
Biography
Devin Hester didn't just play football; he created moments of pure, unscripted electricity. Drafted by the Chicago Bears as a defensive back, his destiny was rewritten the first time he fielded a punt. With a blend of surreal vision, explosive acceleration, and balletic agility, Hester made the return game a primary offensive weapon. His impact was immediate and historic, most famously taking the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI for a touchdown. Opposing coaches devised entire game plans around avoiding him, often opting for squib kicks or kicking out of bounds—a testament to his game-warping influence. While he later attempted to transition to wide receiver, his legacy was already cemented as the most dangerous open-field weapon the NFL has ever seen.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Devin was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Devin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Devin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the NFL record for most total return touchdowns (punt and kickoff combined) with 20.
- Returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI for a 92-yard touchdown.
- Earned four First-Team All-Pro selections as a return specialist.
- Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2024.
Did You Know?
In college at the University of Miami, he played cornerback, wide receiver, and return specialist.
He also threw a touchdown pass on a trick play for the Bears in 2006.
His son, Devin Hester Jr., is a wide receiver and returner for the Miami Hurricanes.
Hester was a track star in high school, winning state titles in the 100-meter dash and long jump.
“You're not just a kick returner. You're a weapon.”
