Bleacher Bums Forum

Well yeah I mean if he has to sell cars or insurance or something but can still pay his bills, no big deal.  At that point he's simply come down to earth with the rest of us average middle-class guys.

I'm talking about the kind of deal where an ex-player starts hocking his playing memorabilia or gets deep into gambling or even starts engaging in illegal activity.  That's where things start getting a lot darker IMO, and where I'd hate to see Hester wind up. 

Yeah I doubt Hester winds up on ESPN or doing color commentary on one of the networks...  and he has certainly peaked in terms of his earning potential as a player.

I recall reading an article that Hester was a stay at home playing video games type of guy, and not out in the clubs.  He stands a much better chance of having his money if he keeps that lifestyle. 

What is the pension these players receive and when does it kick in, at what age?  It seems to me that if you burn through your money but make it to the pension you should still live a reasonable life...

I believe Hester came out early

Why? Sticking ones shoe in ones mouth usually results in the ugly taste of shoe leather. Most of us like Hester the person and respect him as a premier KR but I think I speak for the majority here by saying we dont approve of him as a WR and he is being overpaid as a WR. Now were he to go back to being a fulltime KR with a comensurate salary I would welcome Hester back. Hester was tied to Lovie's backing him as a WR and now thats gone. Retiring is a bad idea. Maybe wherever Lovie lands Hester can manage to hook on. KRs shouldnt be overpaid. If his KR production this year was a reflection of his usage as a WR then he needs to go.

I think age has caught up with Hester as it does with us all.  A WR can lose a step and still be productive. Not so much with a returner. All that dancing around and retreating that in the past may have allowed him to hit a hole and break it now just result in lost yardage. His best days as a kick returner are behind him and he never really made it as a WR.

I can agree with this assessment to a point.  But as you've said so many times about Cutler needing this and that, well same goes for Hester.  The blocking for him on PR and KO hasn't been there this year.  Do you honestly expect anyone else to do better with what he had to work with?

As for receiver hell if Tice had any brains he would use him in the slot.  I'm not saying by any means he's an elite receiver but he can be utilized if the Bears had a real OC that can draw plays for him.

I doubt he retires too but if he goes elsewhere I bet he makes a real difference for that team.   Hester has done more for the Bears in his career than Cutler has but Cutler gets excuses when he screws up.

I jumped off the Hester bandwagon when he stopped scaring people on ST.  As already mentioned he is WAY overpaid for KR...and to not even be special at that this season.  Jump!