It's official, Devin Hester is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2023. This is the second time Hester has been nominated, and Bears fans everywhere are crossing their fingers that this is the year he gets the nod.

For those unfamiliar with Hester's career, let me fill you in. Hester spent eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, establishing himself as one of the greatest return specialists in NFL history. In his career, he racked up an impressive 20 touchdowns on punt and kickoff returns, and even scored a touchdown on a missed field goal attempt. That's right, Hester was so good at returning kicks that he could even turn a failed scoring attempt into six points for his team.

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But Hester's impact on the game went beyond just his return stats. Opposing teams lived in fear of him taking a kickoff or punt to the house at any moment. This often led to teams avoiding kicking to him altogether, giving the Bears great field position and putting them in a position to succeed. Hester's presence on the field was a game-changer, and his impressive career numbers speak for themselves.

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So, with all of this in mind, it's no surprise that Hester is being considered for the Hall of Fame. But is he a lock to get in on his second try? Not necessarily. The Hall of Fame selection process is a tough one, and there are a lot of other deserving players up for consideration.

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One of those players is Joe Thomas, a former offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns. Thomas is widely considered one of the best offensive linemen of his generation and was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection during his career. Another finalist is Darrelle Revis, a former cornerback who was known for his shutdown coverage skills. Both Thomas and Revis have strong cases for the Hall of Fame, and it will be interesting to see how the selection committee weighs their credentials against Hester's.

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Ultimately, it's hard to say whether Hester will get the nod this year. But one thing is for sure - he has more than earned his spot in the Hall of Fame. His impact on the game was undeniable, and his contributions to the Bears and the NFL as a whole will not be forgotten. Here's hoping that the selection committee sees fit to give Hester the recognition he deserves and induct him into the Hall of Fame in 2023.

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