Chicago Bears: On a Night All About Brett Favre, Devin Hester Stole the Show

A record, not just in sports, but in anything, may be the most prestigious accomplishment anyone can strive for.

When a record is broken, that new record holder is better than anyone who has ever done it before them, the very best.

On a night where the playing field was called "unplayable," no one expected Devin Hester to break the record.

On a night when all the talk was about Brett Favre playing through an injury, no one cared that Devin Hester was one play away from the record.

On December 20, 2010, with 12:06 left in the third quarter, Hester glided into the end zone for his 14th kick or punt return touchdown of his career.

Where better to break the record than on Monday Night Football with the whole country watching?

Hester came into the NFL on fire, setting the single season touchdown return record in just his rookie season.

After a two-year drought, Hester caught fire again this season.  At the age of 28, he still has a couple of years left before he loses any speed.  

If he can maintain his current hot streak, he can put the record out of distance for years to come.

In honor of his accomplishment, here are Hester's top 10 returns of his college and professional career:

10. The First of Many

Who would have thought at that moment Hester would end up breaking the record just four years later? Not the announcers, that's for sure.

9. Just Another Cane

Against Miami's bitter rival, Hester showed which team owned the state of Florida at the time, and gave football fans visions of things to come.

8. The Missed Field Goal

This touchdown isn't part of the 14, but it is still one of Hester's most outstanding returns.

7. All By Myself Part 1

The year after the Super Bowl, the Bears offense had even more trouble getting into the end zone without Thomas Jones.  Who needs offense though?

6. All By Myself Part 2

No returner in NFL history has had this kind of impact on the outcome of football games.  He won this game almost single-handedly.

5. He's Back

This return is the one that ended the drought.  Hester hadn't had a touchdown return since 2007.  Again, it all starts with the Bears biggest rival: the Packers.

4. Duke

Out of all the touchdown returns Hester has had in his entire career, this one is the most spectacular, by far.

3. Single Season Record

In just his rookie season, Hester ran back his sixth return touchdown of the year, an NFL record.

2. All Eyes on D

You want to become world famous in 12 seconds? (Committing a crime doesn't count.)

Return the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

1. The Record

The argument ends.  No more can anyone argue against Hester being the greatest return ace of all time.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter.