Bears rookie return man Devin Hester has that look of greatness, and he’ll be measured in team history against at least seven of the best return men to wear a Bears uniform.
Gale Sayers
Sayers set the Bears standard for spectacular returns as a rookie in 1965 by taking a punt (85 yards) and a kickoff (96) back for scores in a way that defined his injury-shortened career. Still holds highest NFL kickoff return average at 30.56.
Dennis Gentry
Third-down specialist also secured Bears legacy by being reliable and dangerous return man on kickoffs and punts. “Pinky” led Bears in kickoff returns from 1986-90–leading the NFL in ’86 with a 28.8-yard average.
Johnny Morris
Beyond being one of the most sure-handed pass receivers in Bears history, Morris also led team in punt returns from 1958-63. He was the only player ever to lead the team six straight years and led the league in 1959 with a 12.2 average.
Glyn Milburn
Stanford man went to the Pro Bowl in ’99 after leading Bears in punt and kickoff returns. The slippery runner did so for three seasons (1998-2000), more than justifying his spot on the roster.
Jerry Azumah
A running back in college, Azumah was effective with an unorthodox stop-and-start style after coach Dick Jauron finally gave the valuable cornerback a chance to return kickoffs in 2003, his Pro Bowl season.
Walter Payton
Payton averaged a team-high 31.7 yards per kickoff return in his rookie season of 1975 and probably could have been one of the game’s greatest all-time return men–if he wasn’t so busy becoming the game’s all-time greatest running back.
George McAfee
Good ol’ No. 5 (and No. 33) still holds NFL record for career-high punt return average at 12.78, posted during his Bears career from 1940-41 and 1945-50.
