Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Devin Hester returned to Halas Hall to lead a special event for military personnel. The USAA’s Salute to Service Boot Camp took place at the Walter Payton Center, where members of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps participated in drills similar to those at the NFL scouting combine. Activities included the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet, and quarterback arm challenge.
Hester expressed his enthusiasm for coaching the service members: “While he and other football stars are well-known ‘because of what we did on the field,’ Hester said, ‘a lot of what these guys do behind the scenes makes America great. These guys sacrifice their time, effort, bodies, minds and their family members. So (for them) to come back and get the opportunity to experience what we did growing up as kids, it’s an honor.'”
The event was part of a series brought by USAA to nine NFL cities. Shawn Isaacson from USAA noted that “it gets competitive,” adding that participants enjoy some friendly banter during the activities.
Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport also attended due to personal connections with military families. Participants were divided into 11 teams and competed in each drill twice. Marine Staff Sgt. Brad Lamberti won the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.86 seconds and received a replica Bears helmet from Rapoport.
Team 3 emerged victorious under Lt. Julian Turner from Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes. Turner praised the event: “It was a phenomenal event,” he said. “I got some co-workers to come out and it was a blast.”
Winners received tickets to watch the Bears’ Salute to Service game against the New York Giants on November 9 at Soldier Field.
Devin Hester is celebrated for his achievements as a wide receiver and return specialist during his Hall of Fame career, including setting records like his famous 108-yard missed field goal return against the New York Giants in 2006.
Information from this article can be found here.
