The defensive wing of the Cincinnati Bengals, Sam Hubbard, announced his retirement at the age of 29 two months after suffering a serious knee injury.
Hubbard, who spent seven years in Cincinnati, is hanging his tacos in the back of the posterior cross ligament lesion that ended his early 2024 season in December.
“In my heart, I know I gave him this game, this team and this city everything I had,” he said in a shock statement on Wednesday. 'That is why today, with great pride, I am announcing that I am moving from my career as a player in the NFL and entering the next chapter of my life.
The former Ohio state star spent the entire seven -year NFL career with the Bengals after being selected by the team in the third round of the 2018 Draft.
It became an icon of the franchise in that time after 87 appearances for Cincinnati, in which it registered 349 cups and 35.5 captures.
Hubbard was nominated by the team for the prestigious man of the year of Walter Payton of the NFL twice after establishing its beneficial organization, the Sam Hubbard Foundation -As that aims to provide equitable access to food, education and a healthy lifestyle for people in the city.
The defensive wing of the Cincinnati Bengals, Sam Hubbard, has announced its retirement at the age of 29 years
“This city gave me a purpose beyond football,” he continued in his statement. 'Through the Sam Hubbard Foundation, I have tried to lift Cincinnati the way you have raised me.
'His support and the impact we have had together have shown me that the community and love exceed any trophy. Being twice for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award is my most proud achievement. I will not go anywhere, and we are still starting. '
Hubbard also added: 'What follows? Although it is the end of my career as a player, I see this as a new beginning. A new chapter to explore other commercial opportunities, more thoroughly the mission of the Sam Hubbard Foundation, focus on my health and family and also assume new challenges.
'I want to send a sincere thanks to my teammates, coaches, coaches, support staff, ownership of Bengals and the NFL for everything that everyone has done for me. I couldn't have done any of this alone.
'For fans, who from and I thank you more; You inspired me. From the years of struggle and adversity to the LVI of the Super Bowl, you never stopped believing. I hope I have proud of you.
“Playing all my career in a uniform is incredibly special for me, and I am a Bengal for life, I have always been and always will be.”