Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard has announced his retirement at the age of 29 – three months after a serious knee injury ended his season early.
Hubbard, who spent seven years playing for his home-city team, is hanging up his cleats on the back of the posterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in December.
‘In my heart, I know that I gave this game, this team, and this city everything that I had,’ he said in a shock statement on Wednesday.
‘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 former Ohio State star spent the entirety of his seven-year NFL career with Cincinnati, where he was born and raised, after being selected by the team with the 77th overall pick in the third round of the 2018 draft.
He became a franchise icon over the course of his 104 appearances for the Bengals, in which he recorded 398 tackles and 38.5 sacks.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard has announced his retirement at the age of 29
Hubbard, who was born and raised in Cincinnati, spent seven years with his home-city team
Hubbard was also nominated by the team for the NFL’s prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award on two occasions after launching his charity, the Sam Hubbard Foundation, which aims to provide equitable access to food, education and a healthy lifestyle for people in the city.
‘This city gave me a purpose beyond football,’ he added in his retirement statement. ‘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. I won’t be going anywhere, and we are still just getting started.’
Hubbard says he plans to throw himself into other business ventures while continuing work for the foundation in his post-football career.
The now ex-player, who got engaged to fiancee Jess Koehler last year, also wants to focus on his family after bowing out from the sport.
He continued: ‘What’s next? Although it is the end of my playing career, I view this as a new beginning. A new chapter to explore other business opportunities, further the mission of The Sam Hubbard Foundation, focus on my health and family and also take on new challenges.
‘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. I could not have done any of this alone.
The defensive end, who is engaged to fiancee Jess Koehler (left), now plans to focus on business ventures and family life
‘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.
‘To play my entire career in one uniform is incredibly special to me, and I am a Bengal for life, always have been and always will be.’
Tributes have poured in for Hubbard after he announced his retirement, including from Bengals president Mike Brown.
‘Sam epitomizes what you want in a player – he’s a great teammate, a talented athlete and a passionate community member,’ Brown said. ‘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’.’
