It’s the end of an era for the Bengals as the “Cincinnati Kid” announces his retirement.
Defensive end Sam Hubbard, 29, made the announcement on Instagram Wednesday that he would be retiring after seven years of playing in the NFL, every season with the Bengals.
“In my heart, I know that I gave this game, this team, and this city everything that I had. 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,” Hubbard shared. “As a kid growing up in Southwest Ohio, Cincinnati has always been, and will always be, home to my family and me. I bled orange and black before I ever put on a Bengals jersey.
Hubbard, who graduated from Archbishop Moeller High School, played as a defensive end for The Ohio State University before being selected as a third-round draft pick for the Bengals in 2018. While playing for the Bengals, Hubbard played in 104 regular-season games, with 398 tackles, including 236 solos; 38.5 sacks; 16 passes defended, one interception, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. He was voted team captain in the last four seasons he played and helped the team as they broke the 31-year playoff win drought, headed to back-to-back AFC North championships, which included a win and a trip to the Super Bowl in 2022.
One of Hubbard’s all-time greatest plays came during the 2023 playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens when he returned a fumble by Tyler Huntley and sprinted 98 yards to give the Bengals a touchdown as the game was tied 17-17. The Bengals won that game 24-17, thanks to Hubbard.
Hubbard was also nominated twice for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which he says is his proudest achievement. During his time with the Bengals, Hubbard also started the Sam Hubbard Foundation, a nonprofit that helps bring equitable access to food, education and healthy lifestyles to Cincinnatians.
“This city gave me a purpose beyond football. 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,” Hubbard wrote.
While Hubbard did not share a specific reason for his retirement, he did tell CityBeat last spring that he was recovering from ankle surgery and trying to get back to 100%.
But while Hubbard’s playing career has ended, he says he’s not going anywhere.
“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. 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.”
This article appears in Mar 5-18, 2025.
