CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Cincinnati Bengals have picked a four-time team captain as their ‘Ruler of the Jungle’ for the home opener on Sunday. Former defensive end Sam Hubbard, who announced his retirement from the NFL in March, will partake in the festivities before the team takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hubbard concluded a seven-year career which featured iconic plays on the field and a lasting impact in the community. 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 tackles for loss, 38.5 sacks, 16 pass deflections, one interception, six forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. 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 pass defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
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.