Nick Chubb retires after NFL career that began on a Hall of Fame trajectory but was derailed by injuries

New Orleans Saints great Andrus Peat announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons in a social media post. (This video contains AI-assisted content)

A stellar career seemingly ended for Nick Chubb after that catastrophic injury in 2023, but one of the NFL's most dominant running backs refused to go out like that at age 28. He is instead going out healthy and on his own terms at age 30.

Chubb on Friday night announced what he himself knew was inevitable years ago: He is done. He is now retired from the NFL.

"Today's the day I've been avoiding for a while," Chubb wrote in a farewell missive on Instagram. "Twelve-year-old me could never imagine this day, and 30-year-old me is wondering where all the time has gone.

"I've known for some time now, but I'm finally ready to share that I'm done playing football. I wanted to end my career on a healthy note, along with a winning season, and I was able to do that."

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes for a 7-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland.

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This is a true story: In the spring of 2018, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick went to the University of Georgia campus and watched both Chubb and Sony Michel work out for scouts.

He selected Michel with the 31st pick of the first round to be his running back.

Chubb was selected four slots later by the Cleveland Browns and over the next five seasons made Belichick's choice look like a mistake.

Chubb rushed for 996 yards as a rookie in '18 despite starting only nine games.

Then, starting in 2019, Chubb established himself as one of the NFL's premier running