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ATLANTA -- Devin Hester gets a text every morning from Deion Sanders, usually with some sort of inspirational message. "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." Steven Nzonzi France Jersey . Cesar said the difficulties he went through after the 2010 World Cup helped him become "a better professional" and made him "more focused" on his career. He admitted that he took things for granted before the World Cup in South Africa, when he arrived considered the worlds top goalkeeper. Thomas Lemar Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. Getting Creative The Pittsburgh Penguins will try their best to acquire Ryan Kesler from the Vancouver Canucks before the Trade Deadline. http://www.soccerfrancenationalshop.us/ ... ce-Jersey/. -- Marty Havlat scored three goals for the first time in nearly nine years, and the San Jose Sharks prevented Colorado from clinching the Central Division title with a 5-1 victory over the Avalanche on Friday night. Olivier Giroud Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. The latest from Bob As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets need to resolve their offseason plans with forward R. Ousmane Dembele France Jersey . Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist as the New York Islanders earned a 2-1 win over Ottawa Wednesday, leaving the Senators five points out of a playoff spot with just five games to play and four teams ahead of them.NAPLES, Italy -- Italy won both singles matches against Britain in straight sets on Sunday to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time in 16 years. Fabio Fognini pulled off a surprise 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray to level the best-of-five quarterfinal at 2-2 before Andreas Seppi defeated James Ward 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the decisive match. "A great feat, a great success for all Italian tennis," Italy captain Corrado Barazzutti said. "It was time we got back to the semifinals. Its credit to everyone, to a team which has a great character. It was a victory of character." Britain was looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1981 but Fognini was in commanding form to end Murrays run of 19 consecutive singles victories in the competition. Seppi rarely struggled against a player ranked 127 places below him and comfortably served out for the match. Italy will play Switzerland in Septembers semifinal. "Today I just played better than Andy and thats tennis," Fognini said. "I was annoyed yesterday after the doubles. This was a very important victory, its certainly my best match in Davis Cup. I just stayed focused on my game and I managed to win." Fognini triumphed in the match between the countries top players, despite dropping his serve in the first game. The 13th-ranked Fognini managed to save two break points but double-faulted to hand Murray the opening game. Fognini had the opportunity to break straight back but hit long and then netted on another break point as Murray went on to take a 2-0 lead. In a typically lively Davis Cup atmosphere, British fans chanted "Fabio, we are in your head," but he was cheered on by the vvociferous home support.dddddddddddd Fognini broke Murray to love and earned another break when Murray double-faulted as he won five straight games to take the opening set. Murray almost dropped serve again early in the second set as he had to fend off two break points after being 40-0 up. However, Fognini broke twice at the end of the set following another double-fault from Murray on the first of two break points. The final set went with serve until the final game, when Fognini went up 40-0 on Murrays serve. Murray saved one match point when Fognini netted a forehand, and rescued the second with a crosscourt volley but hit the third into the net. It was Murrays second defeat in 20 singles matches in the Davis Cup. Fognini moved to 14-2 on clay this season. "He played very well today, thats for sure," Murray said. "Hes a very good player especially on this surface, so I knew it was going to be a tough one and I wasnt able to play well enough. I did OK physically, not the best, but Ive been worse." Italy had not lost at home to Britain since 1926, and Seppi protected that record by winning a match that saw seven breaks of serve in the opening set. Seppi was gifted the set after three successive errors from Ward and he held to love to take the opening game of the second. Ward missed a chance to get back into the match in the fifth game and Seppi took a decisive 4-2 lead when Ward volleyed into the net after saving three previous break points. Seppi held to love with a drop shot for a 2-0 lead in the match. Ward had to save another three break points in the first game of the third but Seppi won four games in a row en route to the victory. He sealed the win when Wards return sailed long. 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