CINCINNATI, OH (January 16, 2026) — In the long and often tortured history of the Cincinnati Bengals, there are moments that serve as exorcisms. There is the “Freezer Bowl.” There is the interception against the Raiders that ended the 31-year curse. And then, there is the play that happened exactly three years ago today—a moment of defensive miracles that has been permanently etched into the folklore of the Queen City as the “Fumble in the Jungle.”

Today, Bengals fans across the nation are looking back at January 15, 2023, the night a “Cincinnati kid” named Sam Hubbard didn’t just save a game; he flipped the script on an entire playoff run and cemented his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

The Moment the Air Changed

The setting was the 2023 NFL Wild Card Round. The opponent was the Baltimore Ravens, a rugged AFC North rival that had turned the game into a fistfight. Late in the fourth quarter, with the score tied at 17-17, the Ravens were knocking on the door. They were mere inches away from the goal line, poised to take a 24-17 lead that likely would have ended Cincinnati’s Super Bowl aspirations before they truly began.

Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley attempted to go over the top, leaping for the goal line. But he was met by a wall of Bengals defenders. Linebacker Logan Wilson jarred the ball loose, and it fell into the waiting arms of defensive end Sam Hubbard.

What happened next remains one of the most electric sequences in Paycor Stadium history.

Hubbard, a 265-pound defensive end, didn’t just fall on the ball. He ran. With a convoy of blockers led by linebacker Markus Bailey, Hubbard rumbled 98 yards down the sideline. He outran the desperate pursuit of Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, crossing the goal line to unleash a deafening roar from the 66,000 fans in attendance.

It was the longest fumble return for a touchdown in NFL playoff history. It was the final scoring play of the game, securing a 24-17 victory and propelling the Bengals into the Divisional Round.

A Career Defined by Clutch Moments

Looking back from the vantage point of 2026, the “Fumble in the Jungle” stands as the crown jewel of Sam Hubbard’s career. The defensive end, who retired following the 2024 season, was a cornerstone of the Bengals’ defense during their golden era.

Hubbard’s career, spanning from 2018 through 2024, was a testament to consistency and grit. A third-round pick in 2018, he was a local hero long before he put on the stripes, having played at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati and then at Ohio State University. But it was in the NFL where he truly became a legend.

Hubbard finished his career with impressive numbers: 398 total tackles (236 solo), 55 tackles for loss, 38.5 sacks, and 16 pass breakups. Perhaps most impressively, he was an iron man for the defense, starting 88 consecutive games from 2019 through his final season in 2024.

However, stats rarely tell the full story. Hubbard was the heartbeat of the defense, a player who made the “huge plays” when the lights were brightest.

“I Hope I Made You Proud”

Upon his retirement, Hubbard shared a message that resonated deeply with the fanbase, acknowledging the unique bond between a hometown player and his city.

“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. “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.”

The transition from “struggle and adversity” to perennial contention was swift, and Hubbard was in the trenches for all of it. He was there for the 2-14 season that led to the drafting of Joe Burrow, and he was there for the AFC Championship trophies.

Burrow and the “Rumble”

The anniversary also brings back memories of Joe Burrow’s reaction to the play. The franchise quarterback, who watched the return from the sideline, famously joked in the postgame press conference about Hubbard’s speed—or lack thereof—and the sheer exhaustion the defensive end felt after the 98-yard sprint. It was a moment of levity that underscored the tight-knit culture of that Bengals locker room.

Social media accounts like Cincinnati Bengals Talk have reposted the highlight today, prompting a flood of nostalgia in the comments. Fans recall where they were, who they hugged, and how loud they screamed as Hubbard crossed the 50, then the 40, then the 20.

The Legacy Lives On

Three years later, the “Fumble in the Jungle” is more than just a highlight; it is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. One moment, you are about to go down by a touchdown; the next, you are winning the game.

Sam Hubbard may have hung up his cleats after the 2024 season, but in Cincinnati, he is still running. Every time January 15th rolls around, fans will watch him scoop that ball, turn upfield, and run 98 yards into history.

He hoped he made them proud. Three years later, the answer from Who Dey Nation remains a resounding yes.