Cincinnati Bengals Defense End Sam Hubbard announced his retirement at the age of 29 – three months after a serious knee injury ended his season early.
Hubbard, who played for his home city team for seven years, hangs his shoe plates on the back of the rear cruciate ligament injury he sustained in December.
“In my heart I know that I gave this game, this team and this city everything I had,” he said in a shock statement on Wednesday.
“That is why I announce today, with great pride, that I will continue with my gaming career in the NFL and the next chapter of my life Inga.”
The former state star in Ohio spent the entire seven-year-old NFL career at Cincinnati, where he was born and raised, after he was selected by the team with the 77th general choice in the third round of the 2018 design.
He became a franchise icon in the course of his 104 performances for the Bengal, in which he recorded 398 tackles and 38.5 bags.
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 hometown team
Hubbard was also nominated by the team for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Prize of the NFL in twice after the launch of his charity, the Sam Hubbard Foundation, which aims to offer fair access to food, education and a healthy lifestyle for people in the city.
“This city gave me a goal outside of football,” he added to his pension statement. 'Through the Sam Hubbard Foundation I tried to lift Cincinnati as you have lifted me.
'Your support and the impact we have had together have shown me that community and love outweigh every trophy.
'Nominated twice for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is my proud performance. I don't go anywhere and we have just started. '
Hubbard says that he is planning to throw himself in other business companies and at the same time work for the foundation in his career after the football.
The now ex-player, who was engaged last year with fiancé Jess Koehler, also wants to concentrate on his family after he was bent out of the sport.
He continued: 'What is the following? Although it is the end of my play career, I see this as a new beginning. A new chapter to explore other business opportunities, further the mission of the Sam Hubbard Foundation, concentrate on my health and family and also to take on new challenges.
'I want a genuine thanks to my teammates, coaches, trainers, support staff, Bengal property and the NFL for everything you have done for me. I could not have done this alone.
The defensive end, which is engaged to fiancé Jess Koehler (left), is now planning to concentrate on business companies and family life
'I thank you the most to the fans – Die Dey Natie – 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 of you.
“Playing my entire career in one uniform is incredibly special for me, and I am a Bengal for life, I have always been and will always be.”
Tribute collapsed for Hubbard after he announced his retirement, including the Bengals President Mike Brown.
“Sam embodies what you want in a player – he is a great teammate, a talented athlete and a passionate member of the community,” said Brown. 'It was my honor to see him play his entire NFL career for his hometown team.
“We thank him for the memories he made as” own Cincinnati. “
