Players

HESTER AT A GLANCE:
• A fifth-year fullback who totaled 400 yards on 111 carries (3.6 avg.) in his first five seasons with San Diego (2008-11) and Denver (2012).
• Appeared in three regular-season games and scored two touchdowns for the Broncos in 2012.
• A versatile back, who has run, caught passes and blocked as a running back and fullback in the NFL.
• Is 13-of-15 in his career on third-and-1 or fourth-and-1 attempts through his first five NFL seasons.
• Finished his career at Louisiana State University as the seventh-ranked receiver among the school’s running backs with 60 catches.
• Totaled 1,780 rushing yards with 20 touchdowns and 60 receptions for 454 yards with seven receiving scores in 52 games (29 starts) for the Tigers.
• Joined the Broncos as a free agent on Nov. 26, 2012.
• Selected in the third round (69th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by San Diego.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Signed by San Diego as a draft choice 7/18/08; Released by San Diego 8/31/12; Signed by Denver 11/26/12.

Hester's Single-Game Highs
(Postseason in parentheses)
Rushes — 11 at Denver, 10/9/11 (8 vs. Baltimore, 1/12/13). Rushing yards — 55 vs. Kansas City, 12/30/12 (11 vs. Baltimore, 1/12/13). Longest rush — 47 at Denver, 10/9/11 (2 vs. Baltimore, 1/12/13). Rushing touchdowns — 1, three times, last vs. Cleveland, 12/23/12 (none). Receptions — 4 at Indianapolis, 11/28/10 (2 at Pittsburgh, 1/11/09). Receiving yards — 4 at Indianapolis, 11/28/10 (15 vs. New York Jets, 1/17/10). Longest reception — 21 vs. Arizona, 10/3/10 (15 vs. New York Jets, 1/17/10). Receiving touchdowns — 1, three times, last vs. Oakland, 11/10/11 (none). Kick returns — 1, 10 times, last at Chicago, 11/20/11 (none). Kick return yards — 24, twice, last vs. Kansas City, 9/25/11 (none). Kick return long — 24, twice, last vs. Kansas City, 9/25/11 (none).

2012: Hester played three regular-season games and one postseason contest for Denver in 2012... Scored touchdowns in his first two games as a Bronco... Competed in training camp with San Diego, but was released on Aug. 31... Signed with Denver on Nov. 26... Made his Broncos debut and scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter to give Denver a 10-0 lead at Bal. (12/16)... Scored his second touchdown in as many weeks with a 1-yard touchdown run vs. Cle (12/23)... Carried seven times for a career-high 55 yards and a season-long 18-yard run vs. K.C. (12/30).

2011: Hester played all 16 games (3 starts) for San Diego, finishing with a career-high 28 carries for 90 yards (3.2 avg.), while adding 12 catches for 48 yards and one touchdown... Made nine tackles on special teams... Ran for a career-high 47 yards on 11 carries at Den (10/9).... Scored a touchdown on a 7-yard catch vs. Oak. (11/10).

2010: Hester was named the Chargers Special Teams Player of the Year after finishing the season with six special-teams stops... Ran for 60 yards on 26 carries (2.3 avg.) and caught a career-high 22 passes for 145 yards (6.6 avg.) with one receiving touchdown... Caught a touchdown pass vs. Den. (11/22).

2009: Hester scored two special-teams touchdowns and finished the year with seven tackles on special teams... Appeared in 15 games with a career-high 10 starts for the Chargers... Forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown at Pit. (10/4)... Blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown at K.C. (10/25)... Deflected a punt in the fourth quarter of the AFC Divisional Round game vs. NYJ (1/17).

2008: Hester played all 16 games as a rookie for San Diego, starting three contests... scored his first career touchdown vs. Ind. (11/23)... Took a direct snap on a fake punt for a career-long 28-yard gain vs. At. (11/30)... Made a tackle for a 4-yard loss in an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Pit. (1/11).

COLLEGE: Hester earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior when he started on the 2007 National Championship Team at Louisiana State University... Ran for 1,780 yards in 52 career games (29 starts) for the Tigers... Fumbled just once in 364 career carries... Finished his career ranked seventh among the school’s running backs with 60 catches... Totaled 454 receiving yards with seven touchdown receptions... Ran for 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior to mark the ninth-highest single-season rushing output in school annals... Registered 38 special-teams tackles during his four-year college career.

PERSONAL: Hester was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100 as a senior after rushing for 868 yards on 182 carries and 22 touchdowns to help Evangel Christian High School to the 5a state championship game... Earned Louisiana 5a Offensive MVP honors as a junior after totaling 1,593 rushing yards on 222 attempts with 24 touchdowns to help the Eagles to the state title... Is a relative of Hall-of-Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw.