Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan Fitzgerald's Biography

Born on November 24, 1982, Ryan Joseph Fitzpatrick is a former professional football quarterback. He played for the National Football League (NFL) for an impressive 17 seasons. Fitzpatrick’s career is marked by his start at quarterback for nine different teams – a record in league history. Remarkably, he is also the only NFL player to boast a passing touchdown with eight different teams.

Fitzpatrick attended Harvard University, where he showcased his formidable talent in college football for the Harvard Crimson. He became the first school quarterback to achieve more than 1,000 rushing yards. Upon graduation, Fitzpatrick was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft in 2005. His longest tenure was with the Buffalo Bills for four seasons. However, his only victorious seasons occurred with the 2015 New York Jets and the 2020 Miami Dolphins.

While playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, Fitzpatrick set a new NFL record by becoming the first quarterback to throw for over 400 yards in three consecutive games. Of all NFL quarterbacks who haven’t appeared in the postseason, Fitzpatrick holds the record for the most career passing yards and passing touchdowns.

As a Harvard student, Fitzpatrick majored in economics while also maintaining a robust football career. He started for the Crimson in five games during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, filling in as a backup for Neil Rose. The following year, after Rose’s graduation, Fitzpatrick assumed the starting position and finished his junior campaign with an impressive record.

In 2004, Fitzpatrick’s consistent performance earned him both the Ivy League Player of the Year title and the George H. “Bulger” Lowe Award. He led Harvard to a 10–0 record, securing the Ivy League Championship. For his career at Harvard, Fitzpatrick consistently ranked second for pass completions, touchdowns, passing yards, and pass completion percentage, always edged out by Neil Rose.

Being an NFL rookie, Fitzpatrick, like many others, took the Wonderlic test, finishing it in just nine minutes. Some rumors suggested he managed to score a perfect 50, although a 2005 Wall Street Journal reported that Fitzpatrick only secured a 48 – still an exceptionally high score. Since then, Fitzpatrick has become famous for the highest reported Wonderlic test score among NFL quarterbacks.

Being chosen in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams made Fitzpatrick the last of 14 quarterbacks to be drafted that year. Over his 17-season career, Fitzpatrick played for various teams, including the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins, and the Buccaneers. He even led the Rams to several victories in the place of injured players, and with every match, it seemed like Fitzpatrick’s position in the game solidified.

After moving to the Cincinnati Bengals, Fitzpatrick experienced a similar situation to the Rams, filling in for injured quarterback Carson Palmer. Fitzpatrick’s performance held no bounds, at one point, he became not only the leading passer but also the leading rusher. His performance only amplified when Fitzpatrick signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2009. During a game against the New York Jets, Fitzpatrick’s prowess was on full display when he threw for 116 yards and helped the Bills secure a 16-13 victory.

Though Chan Gailey, the new head coach, initially preferred Trent Edwards as the starter, Fitzpatrick was soon reinstated as the starting quarterback after the Bills’ shaky start. In a spectacular game against the Oakland Raiders, Fitzpatrick led the Bills to an unprecedented five straight touchdowns in the second half, marking a first in league history. His performance earned him the title of AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.

In 2012, after a series of wins and losses interspersed with injuries, Fitzpatrick moved to the Tennessee Titans, subsequently playing for the Houston Texans in 2014 and finally retiring after 17 years in the game. A consummate professional, Fitzpatrick’s career in the NFL was marked by grit, tenacity, and an unwavering passion for the game. His contribution, both on and off the field, will remain a significant part of American football history.