Jessie Hester is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on January 21, 1964, in Belle Glade, Florida, and attended Glades Central High School, where he was a standout athlete in football and track.
Hester played college football at Florida State University, where he was a two-time All-American and helped lead the Seminoles to a national championship in 1983. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft and played for the team for four seasons.
During his time with the Raiders, Hester was known for his speed and ability to stretch the field. He was a key contributor to the team's Super Bowl XVIII victory in 1984, catching a 12-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game.
After four seasons with the Raiders, Hester was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 1989. He played for the Colts for three seasons, where he continued to be a productive receiver, catching 58 passes for 1,002 yards and six touchdowns in 1991.
Hester then signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 1992, where he played for two seasons. He had a career-high 1,113 receiving yards in 1993, which was the second-highest total in the NFL that season.
In 1994, Hester signed with the St. Louis Rams, where he played for two seasons before retiring after the 1995 season. He finished his career with 373 receptions for 5,850 yards and 29 touchdowns.
After retiring from football, Hester became a high school football coach and worked as an analyst for ESPN and the NFL Network. He also founded the Jessie Hester Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring to underprivileged youth in his hometown of Belle Glade.
Overall, Jessie Hester had a successful career in the NFL, playing for five different teams and earning a reputation as a speedy and reliable receiver. He was a key contributor to the Raiders' Super Bowl victory in 1984 and had several productive seasons with the Colts and Falcons. After retiring from football, he continued to make a positive impact in his community through his work as a coach and philanthropist.
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