
Why Sam Hubbard's Bengals career quietly resides among all-time greats in Cincinnati
The play was perfect. Instantly iconic.
The Fumble in the Jungle against the Ravens in the 2022 season wild-card round will forever remain the indelible image of a remarkable career, one Sam Hubbard concluded by announcing his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday.
There was the zoomed-in shot of Hubbard's face, eye black prominent behind the face mask, ball tucked, sprinting 98 yards while the hometown crowd erupted. There was NBC's Mike Tirico perfectly exclaiming, 'The Cincinnati Kid!' on the NBC broadcast. Then Hubbard's signature flex in the end zone amid pandemonium. All that before finally announcing, 'You can't catch me,' screaming for 'oxygen!' and flexing while mic'd up.
Advertisement
It even prompted a tradition at his Cincinnati alma mater, Moeller High School, where football players run Hubbards — 98-yard gassers — during training.
Hubbard cemented a legacy that night that will last generations among Bengals fans.
It is not the moment that perfectly encapsulated the Bengals' defensive end, though. Not to me.
In true Hubbard fashion, the moment that symbolized his career came in the shadows.
It was Week 18 of the 2022 season. The Bengals had been eliminated from the postseason the previous week. They were 0-5 in the AFC North and the Browns were coming to town, cemented to the playoffs and not playing their starters. The epitome of a throwaway game on the NFL schedule.
Hubbard battled an ankle injury for months, sacrificing performance to keep faint playoff hopes alive with Jake Browning at quarterback for an injured Joe Burrow. And not just any ankle injury. He needed what turned out to be major ankle surgery. He'd eventually undergo tightrope surgery and deltoid reconstruction that would leave him in a walking boot for much of the offseason.
GO DEEPER
What I heard at the NFL combine: Bengals in pressure cooker with Higgins, Chase, Hendrickson
Yet, going around the locker room that week checking in on the long list of players with nagging injuries who would be shut down to get right for the offseason, I'll never forget listening to Hubbard proclaim without hesitation he would be running out the home tunnel to play that Sunday.
'Didn't think twice about it,' Hubbard said that day. 'I came this far, I'm playing. I'm finishing the year strong. I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't leave my guys hanging. I love being out there. I told them today I'm going to be with them.'
The line branded into my brain forever, a defining glimpse into the soul of the Bengals defense's heart and soul: 'I wouldn't leave my guys hanging.'
He never did. Not after a grade 3 hamstring tear early in training camp last year that he played through rather than take an easier option for surgery to end his season. Not after a calf injury late in 2022 that left him powering through pain in the playoffs only weeks before his 98-yard sprint to history.
He played more snaps than any defensive lineman in football from 2021-22. He ranks 13th in total snaps among defensive linemen since entering the league in 2018, tied for second-most run stuffs in the league over that span.
These stats are often overlooked and less sexy than counting up sacks by Trey Hendrickson, but without Hubbard, the impact of Hendrickson never happens.
Advertisement
'He was just a warrior,' director of player personnel Duke Tobin called Hubbard last year. 'Played through things most human beings wouldn't play through and gave us the opportunity to go out there with a chance to win. That's what Sam Hubbard is all about.'
In every way, he reset the standard in Cincinnati.
He served as a foundational image of reliability through seven seasons: 427 tackles, 295 pressures, 231 stops, 61 tackles for loss, 42.5 sacks, 17 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, two fumble returns for scores combined in regular season and postseason, and one leaping touchdown reception from Burrow on his final NFL snap.
Things you love to see: defensive ends catching touchdowns @Sam_Hubbard_
📺: #CINvsTEN on FOX📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/oDsJJzlBcM
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
The Bengals were rudderless before Hubbard emerged as a captain alongside his close friend Burrow in 2021. Their reset established a culture of accountability, professionalism and what it means to be a teammate, to be a Bengal.
That base served as the central core of the best two-year run in franchise history, eyelashes away from consecutive Super Bowls.
Burrow, Hendrickson, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins rightfully draw the attention, but there's a reason Hubbard is the last player left pre-dating Zac Taylor's arrival. It took unique knowledge of the team, the history, what winning looked like and a proper path forward to change the culture.
'One of my all-time favorites 'til the day I die,' Taylor said of Hubbard. 'Because this dude's all ball. He's all about the team. He's represented himself and his family and community that way. Since Moeller to Ohio State to Cincinnati Bengals, you're going to talk to every person in that man's life, and they're all going to tell you the same thing. One of the greatest people you'll ever be around. Really cared more about others than he cared about himself, quite frankly. And that's why he's experienced all the success. Because when you've got a team full of Sam Hubbards, then you're going to achieve success because they're just doing what's best for everybody else and willing to make sacrifices.'
GO DEEPER
Who are the Bengals leaning toward buying and selling in their roster evaluation?
Those four stars filled in under the 'C' on Hubbard's jersey meant more to him than most. Not because he was the kid who grew up dressing in Bengals gear and rooting for Chad Johnson from the upper deck. Because the revitalization of Cincinnati football culture was as much his calling card as the Fumble in the Jungle.
Advertisement
He took care of his body with meticulous detail, down to the second, every day. If you needed an interview during post-practice maintenance time, you knew exactly the moment and should be prepared to walk-and-talk if it goes too long. But he always politely made time for you, whether win, loss or family waiting outside.
He treated people the same way he treated his body, with attention to detail, time and thoughtfulness.
That made him stand out among his teammates and is part of what will make his legacy in Cincinnati continue to grow despite turning in retirement papers.
The Sam Hubbard Foundation expanded from the idea of Hubbard's Cupboard to filling 21 schools with supplies for those in need in three years. His devotion to using his platform to bring equitable access to food, education and a healthy lifestyle across Greater Cincinnati earned back-to-back nominations as the Bengals' Walter Payton Man of the Year.
He'll get married this spring and can properly pour himself into the next chapter of his life, one where he'll forever be remembered as a football legend in his hometown.
That doesn't make a career cut short any easier to swallow. At 29, after seven seasons, Hubbard's body failed him. Football won, as it eventually does at a 100 percent rate.
What he produced in seven seasons, however, without the national fanfare and accolades of so many of his peers, was a career 95 percent of those to touch an NFL field would die for.
He made $36.5 million, was captain in the Super Bowl, sacked Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, reset the culture for his hometown team, earned the respect of every person in the building and authored one of the most iconic moments in their playoff history.
He topped it off by catching a touchdown pass from one of his best friends on his final play. Fittingly, he stood up to celebrate with his teammates despite a torn PCL that ended his season and career.
Advertisement
Hubbard changed the face of Cincinnati football. He set up his teammates. He leaned into leadership. He put together his finest moments in the shadows of others. He lived for football, winning and being the greatest teammate. How he did that in Cincinnati set him apart from so many others during the Bengals' renaissance.
Yeah, his 98 yards of fame will draw the headlines today. Deservedly so. For me, however, only one line will resonate tomorrow and beyond.
'I wouldn't leave my guys hanging.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox Sports
12 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Bills RB James Cook present for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns, AP source says
Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Sean McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team's facility. Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL: recommended


USA Today
14 minutes ago
- USA Today
Should the Seahawks sign LB Germaine Pratt?
Should the Seahawks sign LB Germaine Pratt? Cornerback Jaire Alexander wasn't the lone notable NFL player to be released from his contract on Monday. The Cincinnati Bengals cut ties with veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt. Could the Seattle Seahawks have interest in adding an off-ball defender of Pratt's caliber? Pratt requested a trade away from the Bengals in February, but a deal never materialized. The former NC State standout finished 10th in tackles last season with 143 takedowns. Those workhorse numbers could always appeal to a defensive-minded head coach like Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks currently have Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight at off-ball linebacker. Jones was re-signed earlier this offseason after recording 94 tackles in 10 games last year. Knight, a fourth-round rookie, exploded onto the scene late, totaling 88 tackles. Though Pratt's tackle numbers were great, the analytics indicate he performed rather poorly last season. Pro Football Focus credited him with a lackluster 53.4 grade in coverage. Coverage used to be Pratt's strong suit, so it's a potential warning sign that he's declining with age. The Seahawks have an ascending linebacker in Knight on an affordable rookie contract. Signing Pratt would potentially stunt his growth, and it's doubtful he'd agree to come to Seattle in a reserve backup role. Ultimately, the Seahawks shouldn't show any interest in signing Pratt.
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bills RB James Cook present for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns, AP source says
FILE - Buffalo Bills running back James Cook talks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Bills won 48-42. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File) ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Sean McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team's facility. Advertisement Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' Advertisement In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Advertisement Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL: