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Buffalo Bills Star Retiring After AFC Championship Game Loss

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 2:14 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills ended their season in familiar fashion, suffering another playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. A Super Bowl championship has eluded the Bills for their entire existence, and they haven't made a Super Bowl appearance in over 30 years.

The Bills should be contenders for years to come with Josh Allen at quarterback, but one key member of their defense won't be joining them on their quest to get to the big game next season.

After 12 seasons, All-Pro safety Micah Hyde is calling it a career. Hyde announced his retirement on Instagram.

"So much LOVE and way too many THANKS! From Fostoria to Iowa City to Green Bay to Buffalo, the goal was to leave an impact," said the veteran player.

"That was one helluva dream. On to the next."

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A post shared by Micah Hyde (@micah_hyde)

Hyde was selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Iowa, where he was a star for Kirk Ferentz's Hawkeyes. Hyde earned All-Big Ten honors as a junior and a senior, taking home the Big Ten's defensive back of the year award in his final season.

Hyde would then spend the first four seasons of his career in Green Bay, and signed with the Bills as a free agent.

He made his first Pro Bowl with the Bills in his first season back in 2017, and he was also named a second-team All-Pro that year. Hyde would make another All-Pro team four years later, becoming a key member of one of the NFL's best defenses.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Micah Hyde #23 of the Buffalo Bills reacts during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

Hyde had been one of the league's best players and a team captain prior to a neck injury he suffered early in the 2022 season. After suffering the injury, it was clear that he was no longer the same player.

This season, Hyde returned to the team in December with the practice squad. The following month, Buffalo was eliminated from the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hyde ends his career with 644 total tackles, five sacks and 24 interceptions for his career with the Packers and Bills. We wish him well in retirement after a productive and successful NFL that spanned more than a decade.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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