Devin Hester wasn't just a kick and punt returner. He was the kick and punt returner. The Chicago Bears great redefined what was it to be a returner. He was a threat to take it to the house every time the ball headed his way.

Hester never made much of an impact outside of special teams, but, to many, he's a sure-fire Hall of Famer.

Bears receiver and special teams ace Cordarelle Patterson has that same train of thought. For the Pro Bowl special teamer, there is no doubt that Hester is a Hall of Famer.

“Without a doubt,” Patterson said at the Pro Bowl, via the Bears' official website. “That’s a no-brainer. You just turn on the tape, you see Devin Hester. There’s nothing else to be said.”

Hester, 37, retired with records for most kick-return touchdowns (19), punt-return touchdowns (14) and return touchdowns (20), which counts punts, kickoffs, missed field goals, interceptions and fumbles.

New England Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater, who specializes in covering returns, doesn't just see Hester as a Hall of Famer, but also as the reason why he has a job.

“Do I think Devin Hester is a Hall of Famer? Without question,” said Slater. “He changed the game. We have never seen a player in this league do the things that he did, and to me that's what it means to be a Hall of Famer. When you think about return men, the first name that comes to mind is Devin Hester. If there was ever a guy as a returner to be in the Hall of Fame, it's him without question.”

The former Bears star should be in the Hall of Fame. He's not a lock, but there should be an August day where he sees himself heading to Canton.