Bengals DE Sam Hubbard today announced his retirement from the NFL, concluding a seven-year career which featured iconic plays on the field and a lasting impact in the community.

“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 via social media. “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 Cincinnati native who graduated from Archbishop Moeller High School, Hubbard was selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 104 regular-season games with a streak of 88 consecutive starts from 2019-24. His career totals included 398 tackles (236 solos), 55 TFLs, 38.5 sacks, 16 PDs, one INT, six FFs and five FRs. His 38.5 sacks are the fourth-most among all players in the 2018 rookie class.

Hubbard was voted a team captain in each of his final four seasons with the Bengals (2021-24). In that time, he helped Cincinnati win back-to-back AFC North Division titles, make consecutive appearances in the AFC Championship Game and earn a berth in Super Bowl LVI. He played in seven postseason contests (all starts), recording 29 tackles, four sacks, one PD, one FF and two FRs.

“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. “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 showed an unwavering commitment to serving the Greater Cincinnati community during his pro career. 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. “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.”