Sam Hubbard retires from NFL

Hubbard rides off into the sunset.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard has announced his retirement from the NFL.

The 29-year-old ends his career with 398 tackles, 55 tackles for loss, 38.5 sacks, 16 pass deflections, one interception, six forced fumbles, and five fumbles recovered.

“I want to send a sincere thank you to my teammates, coaches, trainers, support staff, Bengals ownership, and the NFL for everything you all have done for me,” said Hubbard. “I could not have done any of this alone. To the fans — Who Dey Nation — I thank you the most; you inspired me. From the years of struggle and adversity to Super Bowl LVI, you never stopped believing. I hope I made you proud.”

A former second-round pick out of Ohio State in the 2018 NFL Draft, Hubbard spent his entire career in Cincinnati. He led the Bengals to five wins in the NFL Playoffs from 2021-22, including a trip to Super Bowl LVI.

“Sam always has been and always will be a wonderful part of the Bengals organization and the entire Cincinnati community,” said Bengals president Mike Brown in a press release. “Growing up here, he was a top youth athlete on local gridirons and lacrosse fields before becoming a standout football player at Ohio State. We were fortunate to draft him in 2018, and we immediately knew that we added an outstanding player and an even better person to our team.

“Sam epitomizes what you want in a player — he’s a great teammate, a talented athlete and a passionate community member. He helped us win a lot of football games, and he had a number of very memorable plays over the years. His 98-yard fumble recovery return in the Wild Card win over Baltimore is one of the most iconic touchdowns in team history. 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.’”

Hubbard also made a major impact off the field. In 2021, he created the Sam Hubbard Foundation with the goal of bringing equitable access to food, education, and a healthy lifestyle for all Cincinnatians. He launched several community-based events and initiatives, highlighted by Hubbard’s Cupboards, the annual Fowling Tournament, and The Sam Hubbard Youth Football Camp. He was recognized as the Bengals’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2021 and ’22.

“Sam is the definition of what it means to be a professional, and I will always be grateful for the role he played as a leader for our team,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor in a press release. “Sam brought a championship mindset to work every single day with his dedication, commitment and passion for the game. He has proven to be a winner at every level of his career and helped get the most out of his teammates. Sam embraced his Cincinnati roots and created a lasting legacy on and off the field. I am certain he will continue to find success with everything the future brings for him.”

Thanks for the memories, 94.

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