Mail from Manchester: Postcards with Devin Hester | Tuesday, June 16
As told to Gabby Hajduk
Hall of Fame return specialist Devin Hester is with the Bears on their 2026 summer tour in the United Kingdom to support the Chicago Bears Flag Football Clinics. Check out Hester's postcard from Manchester, where him, his wife, Zingha, and their three sons — Devin Jr., Drayton, and Denali — attended clinics and toured the iconic Old Trafford, home of Manchester United.
What's up Bears fans,
It's Devin here checking in from Manchester on Day 2 of the Bears' summer tour. My family and I feel blessed to be in the UK with the team, experiencing a new city and getting to see what the Bears have built over here with flag football.
Monday was our first day of clinics and I had the chance to speak to three different groups of kids and young adults who are interested in learning how to play flag football. (Bears director of football development) Gustavo (Silva) was telling me about how the Bears have helped grow the sport here the past few years, starting out with just three or four schools playing in the league here to now having 24 schools participating.
This is such a great cause to be a part of because flag football has really taken off across the world from high school players getting college scholarships to it becoming an Olympic sport. I see it growing so much back home and now being here and seeing these kids learn the sport for the first time, I understand the benefit of being a part of this.
The clinics themselves were a lot of fun too, especially getting to coach some of the kids up like I do in Florida. For me as a coach, I always go back to the fundamentals and that's exactly what these clinics are about. Most of these kids have never played football before, so it really puts things into perspective and opens your eyes to what skills need to be taught first.
Growing up as a football player, I sometimes didn't understand why we would go back over the simple things like stance, hand placement, footwork, but as my career continued in the NFL, I learned that continuing to train those fundamentals keeps your skills polished.
It was funny, at the first clinic I actually was reminded of that myself. I hopped in one of the defensive drills where we teaching flag-pulling and I had never really done it before. But I went back to the basics, just breaking down in my stance, dropping my hips and I ended up pulling both of a kids' flags at once.
I know he was just a kid but it honestly surprised me. I didn't rely on any talent, it was just straight fundamentals and that made it so much easier.
I feel like I wasn't just teaching at the clinics, but I was learning some things myself. My three boys were out there with me and it was really fun to be able to see them out there with the other kids, running around and helping out too.
It's always a great opportunity whenever I'm doing things with the Bears and anytime I'm able to bring my family with me on these types of adventures, it's a blessing. I'm blessed to still be a part of the organization and for them to allow me to share this with my family, it's just a win-win situation.
While we were here in Manchester, my family and I also had the opportunity to tour Old Trafford, where Manchester United plays.
I wasn't into soccer much growing up, so it was incredible to learn all about the sport and the team's history which just has so much detail. The stadium was incredible and you could feel how historic it is. Even the structure of the building itself — the ceilings are all pretty low, the hallways are narrow. I'm not sure anyone above 6-foot-3 is fitting through but it was really cool to see it all.
Our tour guide, Jason, was telling me all about the trials and tribulations the club has faced over the years and it was interesting to hear how they've overcome so much. Knowing some of the background, from challenging times to rebuilding their stadium, I was amazed when we got to the trophy room. They have been through so much as a club but you see their trophy room and realize they're still probably one of the most winningest soccer teams. It was really cool to see how they've overcome challenges and continued to be successful.
The other highlight was of course being gifted my own Manchester United jersey with No. 23 on the back. That was a cool moment. My boys loved the jersey too and my little one ended up making one for himself at the team store so now we can match, although I wouldn't be surprised if Drayton tries to take mine eventually.
We've got one more day of clinics here and then we'll be out, but it's been a lot of fun here so far and I'm grateful I've been able to support what the Bears are doing. I can't wait to see how much the sport continues to grow here.
Bear Down!
Devin
