LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. The Bears confirmed Thursday that they are parting ways with the three-time Pro Bowl pick after eight seasons, confirming what he told the NFL Network the previous day. So instead of a return to Chicago, hell hit the market as a free agent. General manager Phil Emery said it had been an honour to have Hester on the team. "While Devin has redefined the pinnacle standard of the return position in the NFL, the memories and contributions he has given us cannot be measured by stats or numbers," he said. "Not only is Devin a special player, he is also an exceptional person. He is a great teammate, husband and father. Devin represented the organization off-the-field as well as he did on it. When his career is over, he will always be a welcome member of the Bears family." Hester matched Hall of Famer Deion Sanders NFL record with his 19th return touchdown last season, tying his friend and mentor with an 81-yard punt return at Washington in October. It was Hesters 13th punt return for a TD, extending his own record in that category. He has also returned five kickoffs and a missed field goal for a touchdown. Hester is best remembered by Bears fans for returning the opening kickoff in the 2007 Super Bowl for a touchdown. He ran it back 92 yards for a score in a game won by Indianapolis. Hester endured several lulls on returns during his career, particularly when the Bears tried to make him a receiver. But he showed some of his old form while focusing solely on returns last season. Hes the second Bears star to leave the team in as many years: Last May, linebacker Brian Urlacher announced his retirement after 13 seasons, all with the Bears. The eight-time Pro Bowler and the team were unable to reach a deal a year ago and he eventually decided to call it quits. . A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press the Steelers will part ways with the former Pro Bowler, a move that hardly serves as a surprise after fifth-year linebacker Jason Worilds agreed to accept a "transition player" tag last week. . 1. CAVALIERS: At 19-20, theyre a mess. Watched the game Tuesday night vs. Phoenix and their defence was poor (107 points and 52 per cent for Suns). Where is the high level play from Kyrie Irving and LeBron James (13 turnovers!)? Kevin Love looks like a man thats wondering what he got himself into.
http://www.nhlbluesauthority.com/authen ... es-jersey/. Its the games against the leagues struggling franchises that have proved to be an issue. .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. . No pretty goals on this night, just get to the front of the net and fight for a chance.FRANKFURT, Germany -- Eintracht Frankfurt fell to its fourth straight loss in the Bundesliga when Eric Choupo-Moting scored late in the match for Mainz to win 1-0 on Sunday. In the late match, 17-year-old Timo Werner became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score a brace in leading Stuttgart 3-1 past Freiburg. Eintracht has developed an unhealthy habit of conceding decisive goals in the last 10 minutes and that happened again, when Choupo-Moting rose at the far post to meet a cross from Zdenek Pospech and send in a powerful header in the 88th minute. Alexander Meier hit the post with a header from a corner with Eintracht the better side early in the match. But Eintrachht goalkeeper Kevin Trapp also made some big saves, including a one-on-one attempt by Shinji Okazaki, to keep his team in the match.dddddddddddd Eintracht is now winless in seven matches and has never won in Mainz in nine attempts. Eintracht is two points above the danger zone and Freiburg. Stuttgart stunned Freiburg with two goals inside a span of two minutes early in the game. Vedad Ibisevic put the visitors ahead with a clinical finish in the ninth minute for his eighth goal of the season and Werner doubled the lead less than 90 seconds later. Substitute Mike Hanke raised Freiburgs hopes with a goal in the 78th but Werner secured Stuttgarts victory in the 82nd. ' ' '
