The NFL staged its first preseason contest of the 2024 campaign as it held its annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
This year’s edition featured the Chicago Bears taking on the Houston Texans, and neither Caleb Williams nor C.J. Stroud, the two young and talented quarterbacks for the Bears and Texans, respectively, suited up.
Another emerging young player who wasn’t expected to play is Chicago wide receiver Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the rookie did show up to the stadium paying tribute to Bears legend Devin Hester by wearing Hester’s jersey, per Bussin’ With The Boys.
Rome Odunze wearing a Devin Hester jersey to first game in the NFL is what football is all about pic.twitter.com/vI8tY3Qj1c
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) August 1, 2024
It was a fitting tribute as Hester will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at this year’s upcoming ceremony, becoming the first player to be enshrined as a return specialist.
Hester played for the Bears from 2006 to 2013 and led the NFL in punt return and kick return yards as well as kick return touchdowns twice each, and was the league leader in punt return touchdowns three times.
Bears fans will always remember his 92-yard kickoff return to start Super Bowl XLI that resulted in a touchdown and got the team an early lead.
17 years ago today, Devin Hester started Super Bowl XLI with a BANG. 😤 pic.twitter.com/STGjcVZ3mh
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2024
This current iteration of the Bears likely won’t make it to the Super Bowl this season, but they could be in position to get there sometime in the near future.
Williams is surrounded by talent on offense such as wide receivers Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore and running back D’Andre Swift, and Odunze is thought to have star potential as well.
Many also see potential in Chicago’s defense moving forward, so perhaps a playoff spot is a reasonable goal for them this season.
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Joe Buck Says NFC Team Can Repeat What Texans Did Last Season
