BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Wearing a Wisconsin Badgers t-shirt and a smile, All-Pro return specialist Devin Hester reported to Bears training camp Friday, ending a two-day holdout.

Hester had chosen not to report to camp by Wednesday’s midnight deadline because he was upset that he had not received a contract extension like many of his teammates.

Devin Hester has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons.

Hester has two years remaining on the four-year deal he signed in 2006 when he was selected by the Bears in the second round of the draft (57th overall). He told the Chicago Tribune that he would not report to camp until he received a new deal, but apparently had a change of heart.

Coaches and teammates were thrilled to see Hester Friday morning.

“I think it’s great,” said special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “It’s great for him. I think it’s going to up-lift everybody, kind of like when [Brian] Urlacher came in during OTAs and lifted the whole spirit of practice. I think that’ll be the same thing when he comes.”

It’s no doubt just a coincidence, but the Bears will conduct kick return drills for the first time in training camp during today’s 3 p.m. practice.

The Bears were surprised by Hester’s decision to hold out, given that good faith negotiations with his agent, Eugene Parker, were continuing. The NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulated that Hester would be fined more than $15,000 per day during his holdout.

Hester burst on the scene as a rookie, setting a NFL record with five kick return touchdowns. The former Miami star then eclipsed the mark with six kick return TDs last season, leaving him two shy of Brian Mitchell’s all-time NFL record.

Hester’s role on offense is expected to expand this season from an average of 10-12 snaps last year to 30-35 plays. The converted cornerback caught 20 passes for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first season as a wide receiver in 2007.

“It’s great for our offense,” quarterback Rex Grossman said of Hester’s arrival in camp. “He can get his timing down and we can get him ready to go because he’s going to be a big part of our offense this year.”

To make room on the roster for Hester, the Bears waived tight end Marcus Stone, an undrafted rookie free agent.