Cincinnati Bengals Welcoming Back Sam Hubbard For Special Role

The Bengals are taking on Jacksonville this weekend.

Former Cincinnati Bengals player Sam Hubbard throws a football at bowling pins during the 2025 Sam Hubbard Foundation Fowling Tournament, Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Fowling Warehouse in Cincinnati. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — Sam Hubbard is this weekend's Ruler of the Jungle for the home opener against Jacksonville. The former Bengals defensive end just retired from the team in March after spending his entire career with Cincinnati, starting in 2018.

Hubbard was a staple on the Bengals' defensive line, posting 398 tackles (236 solos), 55 TFLs, 38.5 sacks, 16 pass breakups, one INT, six forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. 

"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," Hubbard posted on social media when he retired. "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."

Fans now get to celebrate him with a big roar ahead of the Jacksonville action on Sunday. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET, and fans not attending can catch it on CBS.

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