Return specialist Devin Hester has admitted that he wants to retire as a Chicago Bear despite being told that he won't be re-signed by the team this off-season.
Hester will see his eight-year spell with the Bears come to an end when he enters free agency next week despite posting career-high figures of 1,436 kick return yards last season.
The 31-year-old hinted that he plansto play on despite his release and thanked the Bears' fans for the support they have shown him over the years.
"All I can say is thanks to the fans for their support. They've always been great to me, always been loyal. I couldn't have played for a better city than those guys. At the end of my career, I do want to retire as a member of the Bears," Hester told NFL Network.
Hester later took to his official Facebook page to further thank the fans.
"To all my Chicago people ... I can't thank you all enough for my time in Chicago. I've always said I wanted to retire a Chicago Bear but sometimes things don't work out the way we would like," he wrote.
"Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart and if I am fortunate enough to break the return record, we will have all broken it together ... no matter where I am. Thank you again and God Bless."
Hester is the NFL's all-time leader in punt return touchdowns with 13 and total kick return touchdowns with 18.
