Bears sign free agent returner Hughes, extend T Heck
Posted: April 11, 1997
at 6:16 p.m. EDT
The Chicago Bears today signed free agent returner/nickel back
Tyrone Hughes to a three-year contract worth $2.6 million.
The Bears also signed veteran tackle Andy Heck to a three-year
extension.
Hughes played the first four years of his NFL career with the
New Orleans Saints and finished third in the NFC with a
25.6-yard kickoff return average last season.
"Tyrone is an impact player," said Bears coach Dave Wannstedt.
"We wanted to get Bobby Engram off the punt return team to
concentrate on being an every down receiver since he goes into
camp as a starter. Having Tyrone allows us to do that."
The 27-year-old Hughes was voted to the Pro Bowl as a rookie,
and holds several NFL records. He holds the record for kickoff
return yards in a season (1,791 in 1996), combined kickoff and
punt return yards in a season (1,943 yards in 1996), kickoff
return yards in a game (304 on seven returns, October 23, 1994
against the Rams) and kickoffs returned for touchdowns in a game
(2, October 23, 1994 against the Rams, tie).
"Tyrone's numbers speak volumes for what he can he do as a
return guy," said Wannstedt. "He's been to the Pro Bowl, set
NFL records, and is still a very young player."
Heck, who is entering the fourth and final year of his original
contract with the Bears, was extended through the 2000 season.
He joined the Bears as a transition free agent prior to the 1994
season, after spending five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Heck has started 46 games at left tackle since joining the team
prior to the 1994 season.
"Andy has done a great job at a very tough position (left
tackle)," said Wannstedt. "He's a leader on our team and a guy
who does his job without much fanfare."
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