Chuba Hubbard Sends Two-Word Message on Status for 2028 Olympics

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has never strayed far from his Olympic dream. 

Before making his name in the NFL, the Canadian track phenom had longed for a gold metal future. Now, with flag football being added to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the dream he once set aside is alive for a second time. 

"Hell yeah!" Hubbard told ESPN when asked if he wants to represent his native country in the upcoming games. "I don’t know the process or anything, but I plan to still be in this league and thrive in 2028. So, if they want me to become a part of it, it would be an honor."

Hubbard was an original fourth-round pick for the Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft and has since grown into the top back after Christian McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the following season. He's been the tone-setter in the Carolina's running back room.

“He sets a standard for [the running back] room and certainly for the offense, even in the walk-throughs,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “He knows what we’re looking for and how we want it to feel, and so he just kind of champions the cause.”

After a recent offseason workout, Hubbard stayed behind to do extra drills with a Panthers assistant coach, which was a routine from his track days in Edmonton, Alberta.

Back then, Hubbard was breaking Canadian sprint records as part of the Edmonton Olympic Track and Field Club and represented Canada in the 100 meters at the World Youth Championships, recording a personal best of 10.55 seconds.

The path to Team Canada won’t be easy. The national flag football roster could include CFL players as well as Canadian-born NFL talent. But Hubbard is confident he'll at least get a chance to present his case. 

In the meantime, Hubbard faces backfield competition in Carolina. The Panthers added former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle and drafted Georgia’s Trevor Etienne. Jonathon Brooks is also sidelined for the upcoming season with an ACL tear.