 (1).png)
1 week ago
4
Longtime Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard announced his retirement at the age of 29 after seven seasons of playing for his hometown NFL team.
Why Travis Kelce Is Not Retiring After Letting “His Guys Down” During Super Bowl 2025
Sam Hubbard is hanging up his helmet.
The longtime defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals announced that he's retiring from the NFL after seven seasons at the age of 29.
"In my heart, I know that I gave this game, this team, and this city everything that I had," Hubbard wrote in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) March 5. "That is why today, with great pride, I am announcing that I am moving on from my playing career in the NFL and entering the next chapter of my life."
The Ohio native went on to reflect on how much it meant to him to be able to play professionally for his home team.
"As a kid growing up in Southwest Ohio, Cincinnati has always been, and will always be, home to my family and me," Hubbard continued. "I bled orange and black before I ever put on a Bengals jersey. The journey that took me from a high school lacrosse player up 71-North to become a defensive end at The Ohio State University and back home again as a Bengals third-round pick in 2018, is something for which I am grateful for every day."
The Bengals' longest-tenured player at the time of his announcement went on to reflect on all of his accomplishments as a professional football player, which also included a historic play from 2022 dubbed the "Fumble in the Jungle" in which
he recovered a fumble and ran the ball 98 years before scoring a touchdown.
"From a draft pick to a starter, a 4x captain, and a guy who made a few plays along the way, we accomplished things that will never be forgotten," Hubbard reflected. "Breaking the 31-year playoff win drought, winning an AFC championship, back-to-back AFC North championships, a trip to the Super Bowl, and countless other memories."
He added, "I woke up every day determined to give the fans something they could be proud of, cheer, and unite behind."
The defensive end went on to express that he hopes his legacy goes beyond just what he accomplished on the football field.
"This city gave me a purpose beyond football,” Hubbard said. “Through the Sam Hubbard Foundation, I’ve tried to lift up Cincinnati the way you’ve lifted me. Your support and the impact we have had together have shown me that community and love outweigh any trophy. Being nominated twice for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is my proudest accomplishment."
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
While Hubbard suffered from several injuries throughout his career—including a knee injury sustained during what would be the final play of his career in December—he made a major impact on the Bengals, as reflected by the effusive statement by the team's president Mike Brown.
"Sam epitomizes what you want in a player," he wrote after Hubbard's announcement. "He's a great teammate, a talented athlete and a passionate community member. It has been my honor to watch him play his entire NFL career for his hometown team. We thank him for the memories he created as 'Cincinnati's Own.'"
English (US) ·