The retirement of Nick Chubb brought out tributes from across the football world, but one from former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel carried a direct connection to the All-Pro.
Michel posted a lengthy message to his former Georgia teammate after Chubb announced he was retiring from the NFL at 30 following eight seasons.
Chubb finished with 7,349 rushing yards, 59 total touchdowns, in addition to one All-Pro and four Pro Bowl selections.
Michel’s tribute via Instagram centered on how competing with Chubb at Georgia pushed him throughout their four seasons together.
“When I got to college, you helped me become a better player because, honestly, I wanted to outdo everything you did,” Michel wrote. “I measured my success by whether or not I outworked you.”
The message then mentioned a play that put Michel in position to be a first-round pick.
Michel Credits Chubb for Rose Bowl Turning Point
GettyPASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Running back Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs scores on a 38-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Michel and Chubb shared Georgia’s backfield during the Bulldogs’ run to the national championship game following the 2017 season, with their most memorable performance coming against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Michel had already produced a huge game in the Rose Bowl before fumbling in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma returned the loose ball 46 yards for a touchdown, taking a 45-38 lead with 6:52 remaining.
Georgia forced overtime after Chubb scored from 2 yards out with 55 seconds left.
Michel received another opportunity in double overtime and turned it into the defining play of the game, racing 27 yards for the winning touchdown in a 54-48 victory. He finished with 181 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.
What Michel didn’t know at the time was how much Chubb had contributed to getting him another chance.
Michel previously recalled that Chubb went to Georgia’s coaching staff after the fumble and told them to put Michel back into the game..
He revisited that moment in his retirement message.
“After I fumbled in the Rose Bowl, you told Coach to put me back in,” Michel wrote. “I got the chance to look like the hero, but the truth is, you were the hero.”
Rose Bowl Moment Led Into Michel’s Patriots Career
GettyATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Michel added a playful twist to the story, thanking Chubb for “helping me get drafted before you.”
That part is quite literally true in draft order.
New England selected Michel with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, making him a first-rounder. Cleveland took Chubb four selections later at No. 35.
NFL.com’s 2018 draft tracker confirms the two former Georgia backs came off the board four spots apart.
Michel quickly made the Patriots’ investment pay off.
As a rookie, he rushed for 931 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season before emerging as one of New England’s most important players during its championship run.
Michel added 336 rushing yards and six touchdowns across three postseason games, then scored the only touchdown in the Patriots’ 13-3 victory in Super Bowl LIII.
His six rushing scores set an NFL rookie postseason record, and the Patriots credited him with the highest single-postseason rushing total in franchise history at the time.
Michel retired in 2023 with two Super Bowl rings.
Chubb went on to become one of the NFL’s premier running backs before injuries altered the final stretch of his career.
Their NFL careers went different ways, but Michel’s message made clear how much of his own journey he traces back to the teammate he spent years trying to outwork.
“Congratulations on retirement, brother,” Michel wrote. “Enjoy every minute of it. You’ve earned it. Proud to have shared the journey with you.”
Patriots Super Bowl Hero Shares Heartfelt Nick Chubb Statement