{"id":2208,"date":"2012-12-31T14:07:14","date_gmt":"2012-12-31T19:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tireball.com\/nfl\/?p=2208"},"modified":"2012-12-31T14:14:59","modified_gmt":"2012-12-31T19:14:59","slug":"devin-hester-considering-retiring-after-firing-of-lovie-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tireball.com\/nfl\/2012\/12\/31\/devin-hester-considering-retiring-after-firing-of-lovie-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Devin Hester considering retirement after firing of Lovie Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"devinhester\"<\/p>\n

Bears return-man Devin Hester blamed the media and fans for the firing of head coach Lovie Smith.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe already knew what the news was,\u201d Hester said<\/a> while speaking to reporters. \u201cJust hearing it from him. The media, the false fans, you all got what you all wanted. Majority of you all wanted him out. As players, we wanted him in. I guess the false fans outruled us. I thought he was a great coach, probably one of the best coaches I have ever been around. He brought me in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hester went on to say that he was going home and was not concerned with the Bears search for a new head coach.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t even know if I want to play again, man,” Hester said. “You know, that\u2019s been on my mind for two years now. It\u2019s not (as much fun anymore). So, I have my workers\u2019 comp papers in my pocket. See how I feel, go home and talk to my wife, my family. See where we go from there.” Hester also expressed dissatisfaction with his declining role in Chicago, saying he was perturbed by, “Not being able to showcase my talent the way I want it to be showcased.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Bears started 7-1 this season but faded down the stretch and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.<\/div>\n