Kevin Huber

Kevin Huber's Biography

Kevin Huber, an Ohio native born on July 16, 1985, devoted 14 years of his life playing as a professional football punter for the eminent Cincinnati Bengals, an illustrious team of the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL was cultivated during his time playing college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, earning him two-times consensus All-American honors, setting him up for selection in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2009 by Bengals. Huber’s longevity and commitment were unparalleled, which is evident in his record-holding performances in the most games played, pitching a total of 216 games.

Huber’s roots ran deep in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his childhood was filled with memories from his time spent at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School. His high school years were spent at the Archbishop McNicholas High School, where he played for their football team, McNicholas Rockets. His efforts led him to be a three-time all-conference selection and even brought him the title of ‘Punter of the Year’ by the Greater Catholic League in his junior and senior years.

Further strengthening his connections with Cincinnati, Huber chose to attend the University of Cincinnati. He dedicated his time from 2005 to 2008 to the Cincinnati Bearcats Football team. His tenacious efforts during his junior and senior years earned him recognition as a consensus first-team All-American, twice. His longest punt, recorded at an astonishing 69 yards, remains unbeatable in the Bearcat’s history.

In the 2009 NFL draft, Kevin Huber’s skills in football garnered the attention of Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him as the 142nd overall pick in the fifth round. His outstanding performance throughout the years was critical in maintaining his spot on the team from 2009 to 2022. By Week 13 of the 2021 season, Huber had built quite a legacy, playing 201 games and averaging 45.3 yards on 955 punts. He core responsibility of a placekicking holder for Bengals throughout his career gave his game an extra edge.

However, his career saw a dark phase during the fifteenth week of 2013, when a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers led to Huber suffering from a fractured jaw due to a block by linebacker Terence Garvin, which not only resulted in a vertebral fracture but also led to Huber missing the remainder of the season. The incident brought in criticism for the officials and a fine of $25,000 for Garvin.

Despite his injuries, Huber was adept at overcoming obstacles, and he continued to show his commitment and dedication towards the sport, setting several records. He holds the Bengals’ franchise career records for gross punting average (44.2 yards) and net average (39.1) through the 2013 season.

Huber’s tenacity and exceptional skills were rewarded with a three-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals on March 14, 2018. He was once more offered a one-year contract in March 2021. And yet another one-year contract with the Bengals was signed on May 2, 2022. Starting his 208th game in Week 1 of the 2022 season, Huber broke Ken Riley’s franchise record for the most games played.

However, on December 5, 2022, a remarkable 14-season playing career with the Bengals was halted as Huber was released after starting his 216th game. Nevertheless, his journey with the team didn’t end there as he was soon re-signed to the team’s practice squad. Kevin Huber, the Bengals’ long-standing sportsperson, announced his retirement on July 7, 2023, through his Twitter profile, marking the end of a significant chapter.

Since 2017, Huber has been enjoying his marital life beyond the football field when he is not creating engaging records and football legacies. His life story is a testament to his passion and commitment to the sport, his team, and the persistence to continue making records that demonstrate his remarkable talent. Through his downfalls and high moments, Huber serves as an inspiration on and off the field.