Hester retires

Devin Hester, the speedster who holds the NFL record for return touchdowns with 20, announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.

NFL Hester retires

CHICAGO — Devin Hester, the spectacular speedster who holds the NFL record for kick return touchdowns with 20, announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.

In a post on Twitter, the 35-year-old Hester said it was time.

“Good news: Commissioner Goodell, you can put the kickoff back at the 30,” Hester wrote. “Bad news: Y’all will have to find a new favorite returner.”

Hester played for Atlanta, Baltimore and Seattle, but his best years were with the Bears from 2006-2013. Chicago took him in the second round (57th overall) from Miami, and at the end of his rookie season, he took the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl 92 yards for a touchdown against Indianapolis, though the Colts won the game.

He is the third-leading punt returner in NFL history and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2014.

“The kind of production he had was very, very difficult,” Bears Coach John Fox said. “He changed games.”

But Hester’s impact went beyond the sheer numbers.

Opposing coaches would routinely do all they could to avoid punting or kicking to him, even if that meant the Bears starting at their 40 because the ball landed out of bounds. When Hester was at his best, they considered that a better option than risking a return for a touchdown.

“I feel like when he’s out there, everybody has a little more confidence,” said Bears cornerback Sherrick McManis, who played with Hester. “Because all you’ve got to do is just step in front of your guy, and if he catches that ball, you know it’s bound to happen. He can take it straight to the crib. He gives everybody confidence. People have fun. Had to get guys not to watch, look at him run at times. He was a special player.”

In his retirement note, Hester showed the sort of flair that defined his career.

He mentioned the “confidence and swagger” he developed in college and learning to “act like you’re the best player on the field, then back it up.” He thanked the fans in Chicago as well as former Bears coach Lovie Smith while recalling the ovations he got at Soldier Field. He closed with a reference to the Hall of Fame: “Hopefully next time I see y’all it’ll be in Canton.”

CHIEFS Peters returns

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Peters is back on the practice field for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Whether the star cornerback’s attitude has improved after a series of embarrassing antics earned him a one-game suspension, or whether his return will help a defense that was much improved without him, won’t be seen until the Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night.

Chiefs Coach Andy Reid didn’t give a hint either way.

He was asked several questions about Peters during his normal midweek availability Tuesday, and each time he demurred, saying only that “What we do here stays right here.”

That went for any conversations Reid and Peters had upon his return. Or anything Peters said to the rest of the team. Or basically anything having to do with the All-Pro cornerback in general.

Peters was not available during the open locker room period, either.

“None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes,” Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. “We’re just trying to go, we’re trying to figure it out. We all deal with our own things and we need him. We need him back and rolling.”

Kansas City and Los Angeles are tied at 7-6 atop the AFC West and the winner has the inside track on a division title.

Reid made it clear a one-game suspension he levied after Peters chucked an officials’ flag into the stands during a game against the Jets and got into a verbal spat with an assistant coach on the bus to the airport was punishment enough.

REDSKINS Cravens cleared

WASHINGTON — Washington Redskins safety Su’a Cravens has been cleared to resume football activities and plans to play next season, his agent said Tuesday.

Fadde Mikhail said in a statement that Cravens suffered from post-concussion syndrome, was cleared Dec. 7 and no longer has symptoms. Cravens left the Redskins in early September as he mulled retirement.

Cravens underwent “targeted treatment and rehabilitation” at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, according to Mikhail, who said his client “is excited and looking forward to the 2018 NFL season and the many years to follow.”

Cravens, 22, was Washington’s second-round pick in 2016 and played 11 games during his rookie year. He was set to be a starter this season.

In mid-September, the Redskins put Cravens on the reserve/left squad list, making him ineligible to play the rest of the season.

AP file photo