Chuba Hubbard succeeds in the path to redemption that is built on trust

Excitement was high as the normally reserved Hubbard strode into the end zone and completed the last of his 152 rushing yards.

It was a huge difference from his last overtime experience, when they were circling him for a different reason and everyone was talking about what he meant in that low moment.

After the adrenaline wore off, Hubbard remained silent and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.

“Obviously I was down at that moment, but I knew I was going to get another one and I was going to do it right,” Hubbard said. “I’m just blessed and happy to find the right degree. I mean, I gave up on it (the Buccaneers game), but it was definitely in the back of my mind. I had a little bit, like I said, when the next opportunity came up, I told myself that I’m going to give it back to them and that they can trust me with this opportunity again.

Of course, at other times, overtime runs are only meant to set up a field goal, but the Panthers have invested a certain amount of their personality in Hubbard, so they enjoy running in with the ball in hand.

“That’s just the type of game setting, the type of finish we want to end with,” Hubbard said. “We ended on our terms. And of course there was a big emphasis on safety, so making sure I had both hands on the ball the whole time and everyone was just fighting their asses off and I was just making the right cuts.”

Just like they knew he would.

Just like they expect him to.