Sports Banter:

Devin Hester returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the Bears’ 37-34 win Sunday. Hester, now with 10 career return touchdowns (11 if you count the missed field goal he turned for a touchdown last season) passed Chicago legend Gale Sayers for the team’s all-time career return touchdowns record. The NFL’s career record holder is Brian Mitchell with 13. Where are the Bears without Hester?

“Chicago would probably be the worst team in the league if it hadn’t taken a chance on him in the second round two years ago. Hester answered the Christmas wishes of every Bears fan who watched Bobby Wade muff every ball that came his way. But, as the Facebook group says, don’t bother sending him a gift. He’d just return it.”

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“They’re not in the mix for a spot in the playoffs, that’s where. Hester drives Chicago, and I’m driving the Bears’ playoff bandwagon. The Bears, Saints, Cardinals, Vikings, Eagles and Redskins are all just out of the playoffs right now at 5-6, and I wouldn’t rule out the 6-5 Lions losing every game from here on out.”

Scott Mieszala

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“The Bears are going nowhere and Hester wouldn’t be helping much. I say Go Rams.”

“He means pretty much everything to them right now. He’s been a game-breaker pretty much throughout the season, especially last year. He won that game basically single handedly this past week. He probably has the best vision of any kick returner that I’ve ever seen … Without him, the Bears probably wouldn’t be half what they are now.”

John Randle

– SIU football senior running back

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