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

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." RUSSELL WILSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM NFL AFTER 14 SEASONS 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 backs , producing four consecutive 1,000-yard-plus seasons, averaging over 5 yards per carry in each of those seasons, and being selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls.

Chubb never won a rushing title, but came closest in 2019, finishing second to Derrick Henry, who won the crown on the last day of the season by gaining 211 yards.

Through his first five seasons, Chubb gained 6,341 rushing yards, scored 48 rushing touchdowns and boasted a remarkable 5.2 yards per carry.