he grievance proceeding, walking out after Horowitz refused

CHICAGO -- Record-setting returner Devin Hester said Wednesday he will not be back with the Chicago Bears next season. "From my knowledge, I know that Chicago wants to go a different route with me," Hester told the NFL Network. "All I can say is thanks to the fans for their support. Theyve always been great to me. Always been loyal. I couldnt have played for a better city than those guys. At the end of my career, I do want to retire as a member of the Bears." He added the Bears are "parting ways" with him. The team declined comment. It looks as if Hester will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent after an eight-year run with the Bears that produced no shortage of highlights. He matched Hall of Famer Deion Sanders NFL record with his 19th return for a touchdown last season, tying his friend and mentor with an 81-yard punt return at Washington in October. It was Hesters 13th punt return for a TD, extending his own record in that category. He has also returned five kickoffs and one missed field goal for touchdowns. A three-time Pro Bowl pick, Hester is best remembered by Bears fans for returning the opening kickoff in the 2007 Super Bowl for a touchdown. He ran it back 92 yards for a score in a game the Bears went on to lose to Indianapolis. Hester endured several lulls on returns during his career, particularly when the Bears tried to make him a receiver. But he showed some of his old form while focusing solely on returns last season. His touchdown return against Washington was his first in nearly two years. Hester led the NFL with a career-high 1,436 kick return yards on a league-high 52 tries, and he returned five kickoffs for a team-record 249 yards against Minnesota in September. Now, it looks like hes moving on. Hester expressed interest in reuniting with former coach Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay. "I look at Lovie as my number one coach right now because hes the one that took a chance on me coming out of the draft," Hester said. "He has all my respect so if hes a guy that is going to shoot at me and want me to come play with him again, my arms are open." The news from Hester comes on the same day the Bears terminated the contract of punter Adam Podlesh and signed defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff to a two-year deal. A four-time Pro Bowl pick, Ratliff started four of the five games he played in after signing with Chicago in November. He spent the first six weeks with Dallas on the physically unable to perform list before being released in mid-October, with the Cowboys saying he failed a physical. Ratliff missed the final six games in 2012 with a groin injury that required surgery. The Bears, who had one of their worst defensive seasons ever, saw enough good things to bring him back. Ratliff had 14 1/2 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks with Chicago. In nine seasons with the Cowboys and Bears, he has 331 1/2 tackles and 28 1/2 sacks. The Bears have signed 10 players who were due to become unrestricted free agents March 11, most of any team in the NFL. Dee Gordon Mariners Jersey . Pikul Khueanpet scored early in the second half and Kanjana Sungngoen made it 2-0 in the 65th minute of the playoff. Tuyet Dong narrowed the margin with goal four minutes from time. The win gave Thailand fifth place at the Asian Cup and the last of the continents qualifying spots for the 2015 Womens World Cup in Canada. Jay Buhner Jersey . UEFA said Wednesday that the champions of England and France only have to include five home-trained players in their 21-man squads next season instead of the expected eight. Only one of the five players needs to be trained by the club itself. https://www.cheapmariners.com/1505k-bret-boone-jersey-mariners.html . The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders are giving it a try, too. Richie Zisk Mariners Jersey . Armstrong was given the rank of "Chevalier" -- or Knight -- in the "Legion dHonneur" in 2005, the last year of his seven consecutive Tour de France victories. Richie Zisk Jersey . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball is seeking a speedy dismissal of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguezs lawsuit challenging a season-long suspension. Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. Ganzs letter, dated Monday and filed Tuesday, said the lawsuit should be tossed because a court is not empowered to re-examine the merits of an arbitration decision. Ganz said in the letter that the standard for vacating an arbitration award "is purposefully high and specifically designed to prevent courts from substituting their own judgment for that of the labour arbitrators selected by the parties." "A court must confirm an award even when the arbitrator has offered only a barely colorable justification for the outcome reached, and even if the court considers the arbitrators interpretation of the contract to be plainly wrong," he wrote. Rodriguezs claims in his lawsuit were considered by the arbitrator and resolved based on evidence and arguments, along with the arbitrators interpretation of collectively bargained agreements, Ganz said. He also noted that Rodriguez did not deny engaging in the misconduct that was alleged during the arbitrators hearing or in his lawsuit. Ramos set Feb.dddddddddddd. 14 for a conference and directed lawyers for Rodriguez to respond to the leagues claims in a letter of their own by Feb. 7. MLB suspended the three-time AL MVP for 211 games last August, and the players union filed a grievance. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz on Jan. 11 cut the suspension to 162 games and the 2014 post-season, concluding Rodriguez used banned substances each year from 2010-12 and twice tried to obstruct MLBs investigation. Rodriguez did not testify in the grievance proceeding, walking out after Horowitz refused to order Commissioner Bud Selig to testify. Rodriguez sued MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association on Jan. 13 to overturn the decision. He accused the league of engaging in "ethically challenged behaviour" and leaking information to the media in violation of baseballs confidentiality rules. He also accused Horowitz of acting "with evident partiality." His lawsuit accused the players union of "bad faith," saying its representation during the hearing was "perfunctory at best." In a footnote, Ganz wrote that the players union plans to seek dismissal of the claim that it breached its duty of fair representation and said the league will join in that application to the court. Lawyers for Rodriguez and the players union did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. ' ' '