Just an informal poll, because I am interested based on what I have read lately from some stuff elsewhere... pick as many as you think apply...

A) The NFL changed the rules on kickoffs based upon how dominant Hester was
B) The NFL changed the rules on kickoffs based upon an increased focus on safety issues in the league
C) Other teams changed the way they approached kickoffs and punts based on Hester being the returner
D) Hester changed games in his ability to return kickoffs and punts for TDs or big yardage
E) Other: Please describe

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

IMO, I think it had everything to do with a franchise tag. Guys that did returns, usually were not at the top of their game at the position they played. I doubt the NFL would of wanted a guy that had 400 yards receiving every year, making top 5 money at the WR position.

Little bit of A and B. More A than B.

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Kickoffs were a relatively exciting play. getting rid of them was idiotic. but that's the NFL. I suspect it was more B - "let's pretend we're concerned"

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

It’s 100% B.

Hester was sensation for a couple years and then just a normal above average returner. Why would they change the rules for one player whose career would max out 8–10 years?

There is no doubt teams changed their approach to special teams when playing the Bears while Hester was present. They didn't change the approach for every team.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Kirkwood is right, Hester was the best returner in history but not by much. Mel Gray and Cribbs and Deion were a Caller Bobs hair behind him.

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I agree, it was B.

E: Roger Goodell is a retard.

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That's always the answer.

B, C, & D for me, with C being inarguable.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

B and only B

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this, rule changes meant to make it seem like the league cares about player safety.... had nothing to do with hester

Hester and his skillset were about to get phased out of the league.

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C+D are both true as well.

Hester was transcendent as a returner for the Bears. I wonder how much credit for his success could be attributed to Dave Toub? 5%? 10%?

He'd still be awesome on another team but does he become a HOFer without Toub/Lovie?

Hester deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He probably has 5 or 6 more return TDs if Angelo doesn't try to make him a receiver. The Bears' offensive ineptitude was a shame because Hester could set up a good offensive team up to score every time because of the field position he was able to get for the Bears.

I realize the Bears didn't beat the Colts, but the Hester return TD in the Super Bowl has to be the most exciting play ever for the Bears.

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God is the uncaused cause of the universe. He had no beginning and has no end. He is not bound by the laws of the universe he created.

Terry Shea
Gary Crowton
Mike Tice

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Toub definitely devised some plays that benefitted Hester. It was symbiotic. I wouldn't go as low as 10% for Toub but not as high as 50% either

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Go look at Hester's college highlights...Toub didn't do dick.

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F - None of the above.

Hester didn't do shit.

He was a good player for a while that maybe changed how teams prepared for the Bears, but he didnt change the game. Rules changes such as starting on the 25 instead of the 20 are usually made to increase offense.

And by the way, after he left the Bears, he flamed out pretty quickly.

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Great take!

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Wouldn't that be D?

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That's where I'm at as well. I also agree with some that are saying he had only a few years of being an unbelievable returner and then several years of being a very good returner. Him "changing the way the game is played" argument doesn't hold water -- he changed the way his games were played, but there's been no ongoing type of change based on anything he did.
Completely agree.

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

BCD

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

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Take a look at bear ( and every other team he has worked for) special teams stats pre and post touch then compare them to when he was present. He is probably the finest st coach in the league. Anecdotally there were plenty of times a specifically designed play sprang Hester.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.