We're all from somewhere. Our home, our heritage, it shapes us, for better or for worse, and no matter where life takes us, that tether holds; sometimes faint, sometimes like a siren, but always present.

The NFL invites players to celebrate that heritage with flags on the back of their helmets, representing countries where they were born, if other than America, or have ancestors tracing back two generations. They are a reminder that players come from all around the world, with threads of stories that circle the globe. And as the NFL continues to grow its brand in new countries, sharing the sport with the world, it's crucial to remember that with each new country ventured, the world is also sharing itself with us. It's vital we listen.

The Carolina Panthers boast 11 players who display their history with the Heritage Helmet stickers. These are their stories.

The name bib he's wearing in the picture doesn't read Hubbard, though.

"So this is my Nigerian last name, Nwachukwu. It's Igbo, so that's what you see here."

That race was a manifestation of so many of Hubbard's aspirations, representing Canada—where he was born and raised—and his Nigerian heritage.

"It was a special moment for me," he says softly. "I'm Canadian-born, but I'm also Nigerian, so I'm lucky enough to have two great countries that I can support and be a part of and represent.

"So to be able to just represent both sides and finish and do it the right way, it was definitely a special moment. In terms of life achievements, this was definitely up there for me."

The dual representation is something Hubbard has tried to replicate at the NFL level, petitioning to wear both flags on the back of his helmet as part of the Heritage project. Each player is allowed two flags, and one must be the American flag. Hubbard is a persuasive guy, but he wasn't quite able to convince the league that he should get three flags.

"I tried earlier in the year, they said no," he grins. "Only American and also Canadian, which I like America, so I'm not opposed to that."

So Hubbard had to pick between the Canadian and Nigerian flags, which one would adorn the back of his helmet.

"I'm fortunate enough to be from (and) represent two great countries," he clarifies first. "And regardless of that, I think you can still achieve whatever goal you have in mind, so don't ever let where you're from define you or feel like it's not possible to still be the best."

Still, given his life ambition to represent our neighbors to the north, there was but one choice. And having it on the back of his NFL helmet is a small glimpse into how he's still representing his home country on the world stage, albeit a different one than he first imagined.

"I think being Canadian is really close to me, obviously, because it's where I'm from, it's who I am," Hubbard says. "I guess when it comes to the NFL, what it took to be a Canadian and play in this league, the best league in the world, it kind of takes more for a Canadian to do that."

While still running track and field, Hubbard also began to play American football at his high school in Sherwood Park, Alberta. And he was good enough to garner the attention of a host of D1 colleges in the states. He decided on Oklahoma State, playing for the Cowboys before being drafted in the fourth round in 2021.

It should be noted, Hubbard was also drafted in the Canadian Football League that same year, and the Calgary Stampeders hold his CFL rights. But his dream was represent his home and native land on the biggest stage in the world; the NFL afforded that opportunity.

"You don't really see it as often—now you definitely see it more, I think, since I came to the league they broke the record for Canadians being drafted every single year since then, but, it's obviously not common," Hubbard points out, referring to the fact 20 Canadians were on active rosters at the beginning of this season. "So for me to be able to represent my country, my hometown, and my people, it's a special thing."

Earlier this season, in Week 10 against the Saints, Hubbard rushed for 14 yards. It wasn't much on a day that ended in a loss, but it was significant. The total allowed him to pass former Saints running back Rueben Mayes for the most rushing yards from a Canadian in the NFL. Mayes finished with 3,484 yards in his eight-year career. Hubbard's current career total is 3,637 yards and counting.

"As a young kid to think that maybe one day I would be able to represent my country at this level and be one of the best to ever do it, is just a humbling thing to be honest," he says, a shake of his head underscoring that even he has a hard time realizing his wildest dreams came true, even if on a slightly different path than he first planned.

"At a young age, you just want to be able to make it, so to be able to make it and, also, just accomplish those things is special, so I'm definitely blessed."

Beyond just racing up lists as one of the best Canadian-born NFL players of all time, Hubbard has found ways to implement his home—and his heritage—into his life in Charlotte. He keeps a steady diet of Nigerian food going—"My favorite Nigerian food is probably some guigui soup. I like suya too on the side, a little jollof rice, red stew. I mean, I like everything, meat pie. I used to like okra soup, that used to be my favorite, but egusi is definitely my favorite now, with some fufu."—and the Panthers cafeteria now celebrates Canadian Thanksgiving every October.

"We got some great people in our kitchen that did that for me," Hubbard says. "I don't really have my family able to come down, so for them to be able to do that for me and kind of make it special, it was definitely a cool feeling, so I appreciate them."

For years this was enough; taking small joys in folding his heritage into Carolina, enduring jokes from his teammates about Canada and volleying back responses, setting records for his countrymen, and most importantly, showcasing that flag on the back of his helmet, a reminder for anyone who looked that part of his heart will always be in another place but it's ok to chase your dreams, wherever they may take you.

But now, for the first time ever, a chance exists to marry all of his dreams, goals, and skills together. Flag Football will be introduced into the Olympics in 2028, and Hubbard isn't shy about his intentions to be there.

"That'd be a dream come true," he muses before picking the pictures back up off the table. "Obviously, you see these track photos here. I always had a dream of going to the Olympics for track and field, and now that that's possible for flag football, it's something I've always dreamed of.

"Obviously, going to the NFL was something special for me, but this would be another feat that would be amazing just to achieve. So, it's definitely something I'm looking forward to."

That is still years away, though, and he is currently a crucial piece in building something here in Carolina. Each time he steps on the field, though, head down and running hard, he's wearing the Canadian flag, just like he always dreamed, carrying the same message he always hoped to impart.

"I think the biggest thing," he says with conviction, "is that special athletes and great people can come from these countries as well, and that regardless of where you're from, you can achieve great things."