Legendary return man Devin Hester is retiring, the former Chicago Bear star announced Tuesday on Twitter.
"CURTAINS," he wrote, along with a heartfelt letter of thanks. "Appreciate all of the love for all these years!!! Y’all made the ride incredible!!!"
In his farewell letter, he thanked friends, family, coaches and teammates. He also gave a special shoutout to "all the Bears fans":
"You brought me in and made a Florida boy feel at home in the Midwest from Day 1," he said. "I grew into a man, built a family, and became who I am today in the city of Chicago. I'll always remember the noise y'all made whenever I hit open turf at Soldier - never heard anything quite like it."
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News of retirement shouldn't come as a shock to football fans.
Earlier this year, after the Seahawks fell 36-20 to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, Hester seemed to hint that his playing days were done.
“I told my wife this is pretty much my last year,” he told reporters. “The only thing that I left out of this game is walking away without getting a ring. It’s tough.”
Hester made it to the Super Bowl with the Bears in his rookie season of 2006, but he never got closer than that to winning an elusive championship.
In eight seasons with the Bears, Hester had 13 punt return touchdowns and five kick return touchdowns, and his 19 career return touchdowns gave him the NFL record in that category.
After signing with the Seahawks following his release from the Baltimore Ravens, Hester seemed to find his groove again. Despite his best efforts, the Seahawks were dispatched from the playoffs last season by the Falcons.
Though this is "curtains" for Hester's career, he isn't giving up on his trademark speed.
"I can still beat anyone down that sideline," he said.
