Players

Jacob Hester was voted the Chargers’ Special Teams Player of the Year in 2010, but he made his biggest impact in the offensive backfield. He became the primary blocking back and helped the Chargers’ run game improve 16 spots in the NFL rankings, from 31st in 2009 to 15th in 2010. The Chargers rushed for 1,810 yards and their rushing average surged from 88.9 yards per game in ’09 to 113.1 in ’10. Unselfish, Hester opened holes for Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews to become the first running back duo in franchise history with at least seven rushing touchdownseach.

In 2010, he started the Hester Sports Foundation in his native Shreveport, Louisiana. The foundation has hosted football camps, a skeet-shooting tournament and a 7-on-7 football tournament.

Hester’s wife, Katie, is the niece of former St. Louis Cardinals standout wide receiver Pat Tilley, and Hester is a distant cousin of Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw. In September 2009, the Hesters had their first child, a son named Jackson.

Hester’s favorite musician is Elvis Presley.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Drafted by Chargers in third round (69th overall), April 27, 2008...signed four-year contract, July 21, 2008.

2011: Rushed for a career-best 47 yards on a career-high 11 carries Week 5 against Denver, taking over as the team’s primary ballcarrrier after Ryan Mathews (calf) and Mike Tolbert (concussion) both were forced from the game with injuries...
Caught a seven-yard scoring strike to make score 24-17 Week 10 against Oakland after Brown’s touchdown catch was wiped out by instant replay...

2010: Chargers Special Teams Player of Year...touchdown in fourth quarter Nov. 22 vs. Denver...helped Chargers rush for season-high 207 yards in 31-0 win vs. Kansas City Dec. 12.

2009: Oct. 4 at PIT, stripped Stefan Logan of PR and scored TD on 41-yard return...Game Ball Oct. 25 at KC after blocking punt and recovering in end zone for TD, Chargers’ first punt block TD since ’99...TD-saving tackle at four-yard line after INT in NYG game Nov.8...defense held Giants to FG on ensuing drive, enabling offense to assemble GW TD drive for 21-20 win...tipped late 4Q punt in Wild Card vs. NYJ, helping offense score TD to trim deficit to 17-14.

2008: First-career NFL TD in 4Q of NBC SNF vs. IND Nov. 23…took direct snap on fake punt for season-long 28-yard run and first down vs. ATL Nov. 30…first-career start Dec. 4 vs. OAK...helped paveway for 167 yards rushing in Jan. 3 Wild Card vs. IND…four-yard TFL on fake punt in Jan. 11 AFC Divisional Playoff game at PIT.

COLLEGE: Second-team All-SEC as senior…starter on 2007 National Championship team...fumbled just once in 364 career carries while rushing for 1,780 yards...Sporting News and SEC POW after GW TD on 4th-and-goal and first-career 100-yard game in win over No. 9 Florida, Oct. 6, 2007…played at LSU from 2004-07…sports studies major.

PERSONAL: Born in Shreveport, Louisiana…state 5A Offensive MVP as junior at Evangel Christian High School in Shreveport…lead team to back-to-back state titles in 2002-03…scored 26 TDs each during junior and senior seasons.