The Hurricane Connection
Feb. 1, 2007
The Pipeline to the Pros. The Hurricane fraternity. The U.
With so many former UM players having successful careers in the National Football League, there have been many Sundays when former `Canes teammates have lined up against one another.
In the biggest NFL contest of them all, Super Bowl XLI, three former Hurricanes will compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy… and bragging rights.
Devin Hester – Immediate Impact
Chicago Bears cornerback and kick return extraordinaire Devin Hester amassed an NFL-record six touchdown returns this season. His biggest return of the season, however, will be his return to South Florida for Super Bowl XLI.
Hester told the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday that he “can’t wait” to return to the place where he played college football. Hester is also a native of South Florida; he grew up in Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County.
Hester played many crucial roles in his three years (2003-2005) with the University of Miami football team. He saw time at running back, defensive back, and wide receiver in addition to returning kicks.
Much like this season with the Bears, his main contributions with the Hurricanes came on special teams. In his first home game with the `Canes back in 2003, Hester returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown against in-state rival Florida. The return helped the `Canes defeat the Gators 38-33.
As a sophomore in 2004, Hester emerged as one of the most dangerous skill players in the nation. He returned four kicks for touchdowns (three punts and one kickoff) during the season. He also returned a blocked field goal 78 yards for a touchdown to help the `Canes defeat the Gators 27-10 in the Peach Bowl. With his outstanding season, Hester was honored as the nation’s best kick returner on three different All-American teams.
In 2005, Hester only had one punt return for a touchdown, which came in a 34-3 win against Temple. That touchdown would be Hester’s last as a Hurricane after he chose to forego his senior season and enter the 2006 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears got a steal by selecting Hester in the second round (57th overall) of last year’s draft. He is lowest drafted rookie to be selected for the Pro Bowl this year and is a nominee for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award.
Hester’s immediate impact in the NFL has been nothing short of impressive. As a rookie, he led the league with five kick return touchdowns. The return, however, that upgraded his rookie season from impressive to astonishing was not after a kickoff or punt, but rather a missed field goal attempt.
The Bears were leading the New York Giants 24-20 in a Sunday night game on November 12. The Giants first drive of the fourth quarter had stalled and head coach Tom Coughlin sent kicker Jay Feely onto the field for a 52-yard field goal attempt. The Feely kick fell short, and some of the Giants special teams players started walking off the field.
Hester, who had caught the ball eight yards deep in the Bears’ end zone, waited a few seconds for the Giants to forget about him. Then he bolted out of the end zone and took the ball a record-tying 108 yards to the opposite end zone.
“I probably would have downed it if I saw defenders coming at me,” Hester said to the Associated Press after the game. “It seemed like all of them were walking off the field like it was over. So I decided to take it out. It surprised me.”
If the kick had gone through the uprights, the Giants would have been one point away from the Bears. Instead, the touchdown by Hester gave Chicago an 11-point lead. The Bears went on to win the game 38-20, and were well on their way to the NFC title with an 8-1 record.
Reggie Wayne – Model of Consistency
While the immediate impact of Devin Hester has come with a flair for the dramatic, the impact that wide receiver Reggie Wayne has made in the NFL has been one of unwavering consistency.
In six NFL seasons since leaving UM in 2000, Wayne has totaled almost 400 receptions with 5,474 yards and 37 touchdowns. He has had three 1,000 yard receiving seasons out of four seasons as a regular starter.
This season, Wayne was selected to his first Pro Bowl after recording career-highs in receptions (86) and receiving yards (1,310) along with nine touchdowns. He joins teammate Marvin Harrison as a reserve wide out for the AFC.
The Marrero, Louisiana native was drafted 30th overall in the 2001 draft by the Colts.
The success he has enjoyed with the Colts should be no surprise to `Cane fans. Wayne left UM as the most consistent receiver in Miami history.
Wayne ranks first in career receptions for the Hurricanes. His record of 173 lifetime receptions is 29 ahead of the second highest (Lamar Thomas – 144).
His 2,510 career receiving yards place him second on UM all-time list, only 36 yards behind only fellow NFL star, Santana Moss (2,546 yards). His 20 career touchdowns are also third on the all-time list, tied with Andre Johnson.
Wayne’s consistency in college helped him to haul in at least one pass in 37 straight games, a UM school record.
Unrivaled determination has also helped Wayne to become one of the best receivers in professional football.
Wayne tore the ACL in his left knee late in the 1998 season and was forced to miss the final two games. After reconstructive surgery to repair the ligament and rehabilitation during the offseason, Wayne played all 12 games of the 1999 season.
As a senior in 2000, he was named UM’s Strength Training Athlete of the Year, an amazing feat considering the ACL injury two years before. The award recognizes the football team’s most dedicated strength and conditioning player.
Darrell McClover – Under the Radar
Chicago Bears reserve linebacker Darrell McClover served primarily as the backup to D.J. Williams (now with the Denver Broncos) at weakside linebacker in his first three years with the `Canes.
McClover did not make a single start as a freshman, sophomore, or junior. Instead of starting at linebacker, he played an integral role on the special teams’ coverage and return units.
In 2003, his senior year, McClover’s dedication finally paid off when he was rewarded with a starting job. He made starts in 10 out of 13 games that season, including a start at strongside linebacker against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. In his best statistical year, McClover recorded 37 tackles and two quarterback sacks.
In 42 career games with the Hurricanes, the Coconut Creek, Florida native collected 57 tackles and four sacks.
With his great season in 2003, McClover was drafted in the seventh round (213th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Playing alongside former `Cane teammate Jonathan Vilma, McClover made 10 tackles and forced a fumble in eight games.
After he did not play a single game with the Jets in 2005, McClover signed as a free agent with the Bears in the offseason.
In seven games with the Bears this season, McClover compiled eight tackles.
Note: Former `Canes cornerback Tanard Davis was on the Indianapolis Colts roster earlier this season. However, he was not on the Colts active roster as of 2/1/07.
Hurricanes in the Super Bowl:
The Hurricanes have been represented in 31 Super Bowls (out of 41 total)
16 Super Bowls have had more than one Hurricane playing in the game
Hurricanes have competed against each other in 11 Super Bowls
46 different Hurricanes have played in the Super Bowl (35 starters)
23 different Hurricanes have won the Super Bowl
11 touchdowns have been scored by Hurricanes in the Super Bowl (7 different players)
9 Hurricanes have played in Super Bowls hosted in South Florida
7 Hurricanes played in Super Bowl XXVIII – Dallas 30, Buffalo 13 (most ever)
2 Hurricanes have won the Super Bowl MVP: Ottis Anderson, New York Giants (XXV) and Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (XXXV)
