BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Devin Hester, who has electrified the NFL with 11 punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns in his first two seasons, skipped the Chicago Bears' first training camp practice Wednesday in a holdout.
Hester, a two-time Pro Bowler, was placed on the Bears' Reserve/Did Not Report list.
"I'm not coming," Hester told the Chicago Tribune in a phone interview. "I have to make a statement. I showed by going to [organized team activities] that I was a team player. But then, I just felt like they weren't taking it seriously that I wanted to get a new deal."
Hester, who also played wide receiver last season, has two years remaining on his initial deal. He was the Bears' second round-draft pick in 2006.
According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, talks on a contract extension ran out of time now the Bears are expected to fine Hester $15,000 a day.
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