Buffalo Rumblings
Hyde said it’s been a “helluva dream” but now it’s time to move on “to the next” chapter of his life.
It’s official. The day we all knew was coming since December — probably the day we all understood was coming since last January. Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde has officially retired from playing football in the NFL.
Hyde announced his retirement via a post on his Instagram account. Hyde said that he had so much love and too many thanks (presumably to start mentioning people). In his very short message, he said that the goal had always been to have an impact and that it “was one helluva dream” and then announced that he was “(o)n to the next.”
Hyde retires a Buffalo Bill. Over 12 seasons in the NFL, the first four with the Green Bay Packers, he recorded 24 interceptions, recovered five fumbles and scored five career touchdowns (three as punt returns and one kickoff return while in Green Bay and a pick-six while in Buffalo.). Hyde played 8,364 defensive snaps and 1,304 special teams snaps.
Hyde came to Buffalo the season it all started — the season the drought ended. He was in that locker room when the team went wild knowing they were finally in the playoffs.
Hyde was there when Josh Allen joined the team. He was there when the Bills lost in the AFC Championship Game in 2021. He was there when they couldn’t make it back. He was there when Damar Hamlin’s heart stopped beating on the field, and he was there when his eventual replacement retook the field alive and well. Hyde was there for all the ups, but more importantly he stayed through all the downs.
Hyde’s season — and essentially his career — ended early in 2022 when he suffered a neck injury in Week 2. He swore he would be back and the mantra “23 in 23” was coined. And Hyde did come back. He was the Bills starting safety in September. But 2023 was full of injury and frustration as Hyde suffered several “stinger” injuries indicating maybe something wasn’t right with his neck.
The then-32 year old only played in 14 of Buffalo’s 17 games. ‘Only 14’ seems like a lot for a guy with a neck injury that could challenge his quality of life. It speaks to the determination and the competitiveness, and the teammate that has always been Micah Hyde.
After the Bills’ season ended in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Hyde was a free agent. He said that he had a lot to think about before he decided what to do. He said that it was Buffalo or no one. But then it seemed like it was no one.
Preseason started and there was no Hyde. The regular season started and there was no Hyde. But apparently the Bills weren’t giving up on him — we later found out that they never cleared his locker, and, of course, no one was given Hyde’s...
