The Chicago Bears had a very memorable Monday night, clinching their first NFC North title since 2006. And they did it with the help of an old friend.
Devin Hester had another big day in a career filled with them, setting an NFL record with his 14th career return for a touchdown in Chicago's 40-14 win over the Vikings.
Hester returned a punt 64 yards in the third quarter on Monday night, giving the Chicago Bears a 27-7 lead over the Minnesota Vikings.
Hester fielded a line drive punt from Chris Kluwe and ran right up the sideline virtually untouched for the score.
"Don't dwell on this," Hester said. "It's the record-breaker, but there's going to be a lot more. I guarantee you that."
Hester caught one of Cutler's touchdown passes and also took back the second-half kickoff 79 yards to set up a field goal a few minutes before his game-breaking punt return.
"I'm glad God put me on this team," Hester said during an emotional postgame press conference, according to the *Chicago Tribune*.
Brian Mitchell held the previous record with 13, which Hester tied with an 89-yard punt return against Seattle in Week 6. Hester has returned 10 punts and four kickoffs for TDs in just 74 career games.
Mitchell played in 223 career games.
The Tribune reported WBBM-AM play-by-play man Jeff Joniak's play call of Hester's record-breaking play: "Brian Mitchell, you are good ... Devin Hester, you are ridiculously good."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
