So, I want to talk a bit about Ryan Fitzpatrick, a guy who really made his mark in the NFL, not just for his skills but also for his journey. This dude’s story is something else, and it got me digging deeper into what made him tick.
I started by looking into his early career. You know, Fitzpatrick wasn’t some top draft pick. Nope, he was selected in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. That’s pretty late in the draft, but the guy came from Harvard. I mean, how many NFL quarterbacks can say that? I found out he had one of the highest Wonderlic scores for a quarterback, which is like an IQ test for football players. Smart cookie.
The Journeyman Life
Then, I followed his career path. It was a wild ride! Fitzpatrick played for nine different teams over 17 years. That’s a lot of moving around. It seemed like every other year, he was packing his bags and heading to a new city. He even mentioned in an interview that he has seven kids, and they were all born in different cities. Imagine that! I got the feeling that he and his family really embraced this nomadic lifestyle, trying to make the best of each place they lived.
- St. Louis Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills
- Tennessee Titans
- Houston Texans
- New York Jets
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Football Team
My Deep Dive
I got curious about the whole “journeyman” label. What does it really mean to be a journeyman in the NFL? I mean, there are other players who’ve jumped around a lot, like Josh Johnson, who’s been with 14 different teams! But Fitzpatrick, he seemed different. He wasn’t just filling a roster spot; he was making an impact, bringing some real excitement to each team he joined. It made me think that there’s more to football than just stats and championships. Guys like Fitzpatrick show that the journey itself, the ups and downs, the moving around, that’s a big part of the story.
I remember reading somewhere that he was thinking about what makes a player great, even mentioning the Hall of Fame and how it’s not just about the numbers. That got me thinking too. Is it just about how many touchdowns you throw or how many games you win? Or is it about the mark you leave on the game, on your teammates, on the fans? And by the way, I learned Fitzpatrick has a younger brother, Alex, who’s also into sports. It seems like athleticism runs in the family.
Reflecting on Fitzpatrick’s Legacy
After 16 years and nine teams, Fitzpatrick decided to retire at 39. It felt like the end of an era. This guy, who started as a seventh-round pick from Harvard, became one of the most interesting and well-traveled quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s probably most associated with the Buffalo Bills, but honestly, he left a little piece of himself with every team he played for. I think that’s pretty cool, and it’s why I wanted to share his story. It’s not just about football; it’s about making the most of every opportunity, embracing change, and leaving your mark wherever you go. Oh, and I stumbled upon an article written by Ben Morse and Don Riddell that really captured his career well. They know their stuff.
