Bears legend Devin Hester featured in ESPN's 'I Scored a Touchdown' series in yearlong Super Bowl run-up

There are lots of impressive titles in the sports world, but there aren’t many better than Andy Tennant’s — ESPN vice president of Super Bowl production.

“I’ve been told by colleagues around the industry that I have the coolest title in all of sports,” Tennant said.

It’s hard to argue with that, but it comes with big-time responsibilities. On Feb. 14, 2027, ESPN will produce its first Super Bowl, and as the running joke goes, its pregame show is already underway. And Tennant is leading the charge.

As part of the buildup, ESPN is airing a weekly series of short videos called “I Scored a Touchdown,” which will spotlight 61 players who reached paydirt in the Super Bowl. ESPN’s first Super Bowl will be Super Bowl LXI.

The series began with the story of Giants wide receiver David Tyree, who’s known best for the “Helmet Catch” in the upset of the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Earlier in the game, he scored an often-overlooked touchdown for a 10-7 lead.

Next up is Bears legend Devin Hester.

“When you have a momentous achievement like that, it moved his name higher up on our list of priorities,” Tennant said.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer is the only player to return the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl for a touchdown. He did so one year before Tyree’s heroics.

When ESPN reached out to Hester’s camp for an interview, the NFL’s all-time leader in return touchdowns (20) almost immediately agreed. A producer based in Florida, where Hester lives, conducted the interview a few months ago. The nearly three-minute video brings the moment back to life. It’s airing on “SportsCenter,” “NFL Live” and other ESPN shows through Saturday.

The idea for the series predates Tennant’s role, which began in January 2025. After being granted two Super Bowls as part of the NFL’s media-rights deal announced in March 2021, Tennant and a group of creatives would meet periodically to brainstorm programming ideas. Tennant said he gravitated toward this one.

“One of the most talented storytellers here at ESPN that I’ve ever worked with, a guy by the name of Mike Farrell, he pitched the idea of, what if we did something that showcased the stories, the characters, the moments surrounding scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl,” said Tennant, who has been with ESPN for more than 30 years.

Tennant turned the concept into a weekly series to keep the Super Bowl at the front of viewers’ minds throughout the year. Once it got the green light, ESPN had football researcher John Parolin assemble a list of every player who has scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl. That doesn’t include players throwing a touchdown pass, only players crossing the goal line. After Super Bowl LX, Parolin has a chronological list of 240 touchdowns. Hester’s was No. 154.

There’s no exact science to selecting which 61 touchdowns will be presented and in what order. The videos aren’t meant to break down each play as much as they are to tell the story behind the play and how it has affected each player’s life. Tyree went first because of the “Helmet Catch.” Hester is next because of his singular achievement. The series is still a work in progress, with 30 videos completed.

Another former Bear could appear among the remaining videos. Four scored in the team’s 46-10 walloping of the Patriots in Super Bowl XX, but one of them stands out — William “The Refrigerator” Perry.

“He is on our list,” Tennant said. “That is one of the more memorable moments in Super Bowl history. He is high on our list, and we are in contact with his camp to make that interview happen.”

It’s not guaranteed to happen. Perry has to agree to it. Tennant said everyone ESPN has contacted has been very receptive, and it’s hopeful others will follow. The network is making every effort to inquire.

Such efforts will continue for the next year as Tennant and his team roll out more programming across the Walt Disney Company.

“We are taking this incredibly seriously,” he said, “and as excited as we are, we’re laser-focused on making this the greatest Super Bowl ever.”

Remote patrol

Chicago Sports Network will stream its remaining seven White Sox spring-training broadcasts for free on the CHSN app and website, including the game March 13 against the Cubs. The final two also will simulcast over the air on The U (WCIU-Channel 26). CHSN figures to simulcast a select number of regular-season games on The U, as it did last season.

• At long last, ESPN Unlimited is available to Comcast customers for free. Those who receive ESPN will get an email within days with instructions for activation. If you can’t wait, go to ESPN’s support site or your subscription page on Xfinity.com to link your account.