Bears Are Parting Ways With Devin Hester

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) pushes Chicago Bears kick returner Devin Hester (23) out of bounds in overtime at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Oh Devin Hester. How you have haunted the souls of Viking fans all these years.

All the nightmares you have spawned. All the angry tirades.

WHY DID YOU KICK IT TO HESTER YOU BLEEPITY BLEEP!!!

After years of tormenting the Vikings in a Bears uniform, it looks like Hester’s run in Chicago is over. Hester told NFL Network on Wednesday that he believes the Bears are ready to part ways with him.

“I know that Chicago wants to go a different route. All I can say is thanks to the fans for their support. They’ve always been great to me. Always been loyal. I couldn’t have played for a better city. … At the end of my career I do want to retire as a member of the Bears,” Hester said on Total Access.

Hester became arguably a Hall of Famer with the Bears, setting an NFL record with 18 combined kick and punt return touchdowns.

Four of those touchdowns came against the Vikings. Many of Hester’s most electrifying runs came on punts from former Viking Chris Kluwe.

Mr. Kluwe would sometimes get testy when fans and media questioned the wisdom of his kick placement with Hester on the field.

Why kick it to Hester? Kluwe would explain that punting isn’t as easy as it looks. Right Peter King?

But Kluwe did have a sense of humor about his battles with Hester, as his commemorative figurine attests.

Of course Hester isn’t necessarily gone from the Vikings’ life just because he’s gone from the Bears. Some team will certainly give Hester a look.

Hester could still get more chances to make the Vikings miserable. But at least those games against the Bears will be somewhat less nerve-racking.

Like The Viking Age on Facebook.
Follow TVA on Twitter.
Subsribe to the Fansided Daily Newsletter. Sports news all up in your inbox.