Chuba Hubbard: From NFL running back to Olympic dream in flag football

Chuba Hubbard: From the Track to the Field and to the Olympics?

In a surprising turn of events, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard could be on the verge of reviving a childhood dream: competing in the Olympics. Following the recent announcement that flag football will be present at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Hubbard’s Olympic ambition, once focused on track and field, has resurfaced strongly. Hubbard, who shone in youth athletics before focusing on football, expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of representing Canada in the competition. “Of course!”, Hubbard declared, when asked about his interest in the Olympic Games. “I don’t know the process or anything, but I plan to stay in this league and thrive in 2028. So, if they want me to be a part of it, it would be an honor”. The running back, selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, has emerged as a key piece in the Panthers’ offense, following the departure of Christian McCaffrey. In 2024, Hubbard achieved a personal record of 1,195 rushing yards, despite missing the last two games due to injuries.

He sets a standard for the runners’ attire and certainly for the offense, even in the trials,” commented Panthers coach Dave Canales. “He knows what we’re looking for and how we want it to feel, and that’s how he defends the cause.

Dave Canales, coach of the Carolina Panthers

Before his success in football, Hubbard’s first goal was to become an Olympic champion in athletics. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional talent in 100 and 200 meter races, setting Canadian records. Her track and field coach, Corrine Timmer, vividly remembers the moment when Hubbard, at nine years old, competed in her first international race and suffered a defeat. Despite the disappointment, Hubbard assured Timmer that this was only the beginning, and that her goal was the Olympic Games. Now, with the possibility of combining his love for soccer with his Olympic dream, Hubbard could have the opportunity to compete in the 2028 Games. To do this, he could join a list of NFL players of Canadian origin, such as Jevon Holland, Deane Leonard, Jesse Luketa, Benjamin St-Juste, Sydney Brown, Chase Brown, and Neville Gallimore. Hubbard is optimistic about Canada’s chances in the flag football tournament. “Yes! You’re asking the wrong person,” Hubbard said with a smile, when asked if Canada could win the gold medal. “I’m going to say we’re going to win no matter what.”

Before thinking about the Olympics, Hubbard focuses on helping the Panthers break their losing streak and prove that the organization made the right decision by trusting him. In his first game after signing his contract extension, Hubbard ran for 153 yards, a career-best. “I want to be the best,” Hubbard stated. “I want to be great, chasing something that only I know I can obtain and achieve. Needless to say, I want to win games. I want to win a Super Bowl. I want my teammates to have that too.” Hubbard will have competition in the backfield in 2025, as the Panthers signed free agent Rico Dowdle and selected Trevor Etienne in the fourth round. However, the running back hopes to revive memories of when, at 16 years old, he represented Canada at the World Youth Championships, where he achieved a time of 10.55 seconds in the 100 meters. Her coach, Timmer, believes Hubbard could have been an Olympian in athletics if he hadn’t chosen football, but now celebrates the opportunity for him to combine his two passions. “Having that opportunity now to combine both his Olympic dream and football into one is quite incredible,” she concluded.