ATLANTA -- Devin Hester gets a text every morning from Deion Sanders, usually with some sort of inspirational message. Custom Calgary Flames Jerseys . "Thats my alarm," Hester said. "When I get that text, I know its time to get up." Things were a little different Friday. When Sanders delivered his latest message, it was to a friend and protege who now holds the NFL record for most return touchdowns all by himself. Hester high-stepped into history -- with Sanders watching from the sideline, no less -- when he took a punt 56 yards to the end zone in the Atlanta Falcons 56-14 blowout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The moment was especially poignant given their long friendship, going back to Hesters days at the University of Miami, and that it came at the Georgia Dome, the stadium where Sanders played a couple of years for the Falcons and famously proclaimed upon his return with a different team that it was "my house." Not anymore. This is Hesters house. "It is tough to break a record from a guy that holds it (who) is my number one mentor," he said. "He knew that if anyone was capable of breaking that record and he wanted anyone to break it, then it was going to be me." The 20th return touchdown of Hesters career came midway through the second quarter Thursday night, with the Falcons already ahead 28-0. The Bucs inexplicably gave him a chance for the record, the ball settling into his hands at the 44. He burst through a seam in the middle of the field and suddenly found himself face to face with one last defender, punter Michael Koenen. That was no contest. Hester cut to his left, zipped around a diving Koenen and finished it off with a triumphant glide down the sideline. The last 10 yards or so, Hester broke into Sanders trademark high-stepping move, the left hand cupped behind the ear hole of his helmet in tribute to his friend. "It was great that Deion was here," said Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. "Its funny how things seem to work out." Hester and Sanders shared an emotional moment afterward on the set of the NFL Network, where Sanders works as an analyst. Both teared up as they talked of their bond. "I remember the beginnings," Sanders said. "I love you, man. Im so proud of you." Hester recalled the first call he got from Prime Time, back in his college days while the Hurricanes were getting ready for a game against North Carolina State. "We were in a meeting," Hester said. "I had my phone in my pocket because somebody said you were going to call me. I felt my phone vibrating. I didnt even look at it. I just snuck out, went to the bathroom, and called you right back." The 31-year-old Hester spent his first eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he scored on 13 punt returns, six kickoff returns and a 108-yard return of a missed field goal. He signed with the Falcons (2-1) during the off-season, joining a team that saw him as more than a special teams ace. Through the first three games, Hester has seven catches for 126 yards, not to mention a 20-yard rushing touchdown against the Buccaneers on a reverse. "The guys in that huddle, before we break, they are constantly saying, each and every one of them, Hey, just follow me, just follow me," Hester said. "It is a sign of good things to come. I am very happy to be here, happy that the Atlanta Falcons organization decided to pick me up as a free agent." He was also pursued by the Buccaneers, who are now led by former Bears coach Lovie Smith. If Sanders is Hesters mentor, then Smith is like a second father. "I know Im one of coach Lovies favourites," Hester said. "I love that guy a lot. I told him before the game, Unfortunately, were on opposite teams now, but the good part is if I get that record tonight, youll be here to see it. We both chuckled and laughed. He said, Youre right, I want to see you do it in person. Its tough to do it against him. I hate the way it went (in the game). At the same time, Im kind of happy too." Only one thing didnt go as Hester planned. He wanted to give the ball to Sanders, but it will apparently land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "I took the ball to the sideline," Hester said. "I heard its on the way to Canton." Calgary Flames Jerseys . - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked spry enough in pregame warmups Sunday for Green Bays divisional playoff game against Dallas. Miikka Kiprusoff Jersey . - This win was more the New Jersey Devils style. http://www.jerseyofficialhockeyflames.com/joe-nieuwendyk-hockey-jersey/ . -- Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe was alert and recovering at a Denver hospital Saturday after suffering seizure-like symptoms when the teams bus pulled into the airport Friday afternoon for the flight to Kansas City.The Ottawa RedBlacks have signed former defensive lineman Leroy Blugh as the teams defensive line coach. Blugh, 47, played 15 CFL seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos and the Toronto Argonauts, winning a Grey Cup with the Eskimos in 1993. He was head coach at Bishops from 2005-2010 and served as an assistant for two seasons with at Queens University before spending the 2013 season as the Eskimos defensive line tutor.. James Neal Jersey. "Were excited to welcome Leroy to our RedBlacks family," said Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell. "Leroy knows what it takes to play defensive line at a high level in the CFL. His extensive playing and coaching experience will be invaluable to our football team." Blugh was a CFL West Division All-Star twice and was named the leagues Most Outstanding Canadian in 1996. ' ' '