He turned down opportunities to play elsewhere because he wanted to retire as a Bengal and begin the next chapter of his life as a native Cincinnatian.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/sam-hubbard-chose-to-retire-as-a-bengal-instead-of-playing-for-other-teams/ar-AA1EdbiO?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=573773c75af7476ec3fed0a057c266f7&ei=37

Quote:After the Cincinnati Bengals ended their 2024 season, long-time defensive end and native son of Cincinnati Sam Hubbard chose to hang up his cleats and retire. Contrats to Sam and his family. He had a really nice career and it was a shame to see the injuries take their toll on him.

Hubbard didn’t have a stellar 2024 season, but in an odd way, his season ended beautifully. His last NFL snap was actually on offense, where he caught a touchdown pass from his college buddy, Joe Burrow.

Sadly, Hubbard suffered a season-ending knee injury on the play.

At just 29, some thought Hubbard would be released and possibly sign elsewhere, but the “Cincinnati Kid” didn’t want to play anywhere else.

Hubbard recently teamed up with Fifth Third Bank at an event to combat food insecurity and spoke to FOX 19 about his thought process leading up to retirement.

“I had a great career. I had some opportunities to play elsewhere, but I really wanted to, you know, retire as a Bengal. It meant so much to me playing my whole career here, continuing to live here, and continuing to work with my foundation and expand our impact on Cincinnati for life. Bengal for life,” said Hubbard. I’m so happy with how everything played out.”

Hubbard’s iconic “Hubbard Yard Dash” fumble return against the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 will live in infamy. From watching games as a fan to making historic plays, Hubbard’s career in Cincinnati will be remembered fondly.

He's only 29? Why'd I think he was so much older?

(05-06-2025, 12:08 PM)PhilHos Wrote: He's only 29? Why'd I think he was so much older?

Because he was the last Marv-pick to leave the team, so it seemed like he was here longer than he really was lol

Someone needs to tell that writer what the word "infamy" means...

Sam is one of my favorite Bengals. All class.

That is rare that a player can’t see himself playing for another team when he knows he can make good $ for at least a couple more years.
I would have guessed he was 31-32 years old so that surprised me, too.

Hubbard is definitely on the list to be a Ruler of the Jungle soon.

We'll always have The Hubbard Yard Dash

(05-06-2025, 08:48 PM)bfine32 Wrote: We'll always have The Hubbard Yard Dash

Absolutely. That was an amazing run. We should have had an illegal block in the back, but it wasn't called and is still a great play. Dude was exhausted after that play.

(05-06-2025, 08:30 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: That is rare that a player can’t see himself playing for another team when he knows he can make good $ for at least a couple more years.
I would have guessed he was 31-32 years old so that surprised me, too.

Hubbard is definitely on the list to be a Ruler of the Jungle soon.

I also wonder if he knows his knee is never going to be 100% after the last surgery. 

Man i was so down on Hubbard after last year. I mean im not gonna lie, i was trashing him. But this is beautiful. A kid who grew up in cincinnati his whole life, went to college at ohio state, then returned to cincinnati his entire career, only to retire before 30 with millions of dollars.

Thats the dream right there

(05-06-2025, 02:09 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Someone needs to tell that writer what the word "infamy" means...

Lol. Good catch.