Bears GM Emery dismisses Hester's retirement talk
Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery said in a news conference Tuesday that he does not expect Devin Hester to retire.
Hester said Monday that he would walk away after the team fired coach Lovie Smith.
"Devin didn't come by," Emery said. "I saw the comments. I felt for Devin. Again, I take all that in context of these guys had played a long time. ... Devin came in as a draft pick with Lovie. I certainly understand the emotion. There will be a time when his emotions clear.
"Devin has come into my office and we've talked before. My door is always open, and if he wants to do that, we can have the conversation. If he doesn't, I'm open to that, too. Obviously, Devin is under contract, so if he sent his retirement papers in, I would know. But I don't anticipate that. I think he's a great competitor. I think that was an emotional situation that evoked an emotional response, and I certainly understand that."
Hester said Monday that Smith's firing was not the only reason he is considering retirement.
"I don't even know if I want to play again," he said. "That's been something on my mind for two years.
"It's not (much fun for me anymore). I've got my workers comp papers in my pocket. We'll see how I feel. I'm going to go home and talk to my wife and talk to my family and see where we go from there. I got two beautiful kids, man, two boys. A lot of stress has been on my mind lately."
Hester, one of the most accomplished kick and punt returners in NFL history, said he is frustrated that he has not been able to establish himself as a star wide receiver.
"Not being able to showcase my talents the way I want them to be able to be showcased, it's stressful," Hester said.
Hester has 12 punt returns and five kickoff returns for touchdowns in his seven-year career. As a receiver, he has caught 198 passes for 2,438 yards with 13 touchdowns.
