Skip to main content

Hester now stands alone as NFL greatest returner

By WTOP Staff

PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — Devin Hester gets a text every morning from Deion Sanders, usually with some sort of inspirational message.

“That’s my alarm,” Hester said. “When I get that text, I know it’s time to get up.”

Things were a little different Friday.

When Sanders delivered his latest message, it was to a friend and protege who now holds the NFL record for most return touchdowns all by himself.

Hester high-stepped into history — with Sanders watching from the sideline, no less — when he took a punt 56 yards to the end zone in the Atlanta Falcons’ 56-14 blowout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The moment was especially poignant given their long friendship, going back to Hester’s days at the University of Miami, and that it came at the Georgia Dome, the stadium where Sanders played a couple of years for the Falcons and famously proclaimed upon his return with a different team that it was “my house.”

Not anymore.

This is Hester’s house.

“It is tough to break a record from a guy that holds it (who) is my number one mentor,” he said. “He knew that if anyone was capable of breaking that record and he wanted anyone to break it, then it was going to be me.”

The 20th return touchdown of Hester’s career came midway through the second quarter Thursday night, with the Falcons already ahead 28-0. The Bucs inexplicably gave him a chance for the record, the ball settling into his hands at the 44. He burst through a seam in the middle of the field and suddenly found himself face to face with one last defender, punter Michael Koenen.

That was no contest.

Hester cut to his left, zipped around a diving Koenen and finished it off with a triumphant glide down the sideline. The last 10 yards or so, Hester broke into Sanders’ trademark high-stepping move, the left hand cupped behind the ear hole of his helmet in tribute to his friend.

“It was great that Deion was here,” said Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. “It’s funny how things seem to work out.”

Hester and Sanders shared an emotional moment afterward on the set of the NFL Network, where Sanders works as an analyst. Both teared up as they talked of their bond.

“I remember the beginnings,” Sanders said. “I love you, man. I’m so proud of you.”

Hester recalled the first call he got from Prime Time, back in his college days while the Hurricanes were getting ready for a game against North Carolina State.

“We were in a meeting,” Hester said. “I had my phone in my pocket because somebody said you were going to call me. I felt my phone vibrating. I didn’t even look at it. I just snuck out, went to the bathroom, and called you right back.”

The 31-year-old Hester spent his first eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he scored on 13 punt returns, six kickoff returns and a 108-yard return of a missed field goal.

He signed with the Falcons (2-1) during the offseason, joining a team that saw him as more than a special teams ace. Through the first three games, Hester has seven catches for 126 yards, not to mention a 20-yard rushing touchdown against the Buccaneers on a reverse.

“The guys in that huddle, before we break, they are constantly saying, each and every one of them, ‘Hey, just follow me, just follow me,'” Hester said. “It is a sign of good things to come. I am very happy to be here, happy that the Atlanta Falcons organization decided to pick me up as a free agent.”

He was also pursued by the Buccaneers, who are now led by former Bears coach Lovie Smith.

If Sanders is Hester’s mentor, then Smith is like a second father.

“I know I’m one of coach Lovie’s favorites,” Hester said. “I love that guy a lot. I told him before the game, ‘Unfortunately, we’re on opposite teams now, but the good part is if I get that record tonight, you’ll be here to see it.’ We both chuckled and laughed. He said, ‘You’re right, I want to see you do it in person.’ It’s tough to do it against him. I hate the way it went (in the game). At the same time, I’m kind of happy too.”

Only one thing didn’t go as Hester planned.

He wanted to give the ball to Sanders, but it will apparently land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“I took the ball to the sideline,” Hester said. “I heard it’s on the way to Canton.”

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

___

Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote