Ryan Fitzpatrick announces his retirement
After 17 years in the NFL, Fitzmagic is calling it a day, putting an end to a thrilling and unlikely journey that kept us all so entertained
Ryan Fitzpatrick has announced today that he is hanging up his cleats for good. NFL network reports that the 17-year veteran quarterback, known affectionately as Fitzmagic, is currently in talks with Amazon Prime Video for a key role in their NFL coverage this season.
Veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is retiring from the NFL after 17 seasons. Threw for 34,990 passing yards and 223 TDs after coming into the league as a 7th-round pick out of Harvard. Gave fans some of the most memorable moments on and off the field.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 2, 2022
Heck of a career, Fitzmagic. pic.twitter.com/Kd2LQ4xUjh
A seventh-round draft pick in 2005, the Harvard quarterback went to the St Louis Rams and has since compiled at least one start for nine different NFL teams, the most of any player since 1950.
He captured the hearts of the nation in 2018 when he went head-to-head in an aerial battle with big Ben Roethlisberger on Monday Night Football, completing 30 of 50 passes for 411 yards and three touchdowns. In the post-game interview, he wore a track suit, gold chains, and aviator sunglasses, kickstarting his reputation for being the king of cool.
Ryan Fitzpatrick started for MORE THAN 25% OF ALL CURRENT NFL TEAMS pic.twitter.com/9JnmcA6RBV
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) June 2, 2022
Known for putting on a thrilling, if often doomed, performance on the field, Fitzpatrick’s 34,990 passing yards, 32nd most in NFL history, are the most by a player who never played in a playoff game.
The only quarterback to win a game with seven or more teams, he has far outperformed expectations of him.
Often placed in the position of joining a team as a backup, then getting on the field due to injury, where he performs well enough to be traded away and start the process all over again.
After recent glory in Miami, where he came the closest to the playoffs, he found himself again relegated to playing backup to rookie sensation Tua Tagovailoa, before being traded in 2021 to Washington. A dislocated hip in week 1 effectively ended his playing days, and he walks away from a long and winding career with his head held high.
Greatest journeyman QB ever? (via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/Is3vIfhXjU
— NFL (@NFL) June 2, 2022
As a product of Harvard, it is perhaps surprising that he came to the NFL at all, but then to have the level of success that he has had, Fitzmagic has definitely shown himself to be one of a kind. Godspeed, Ryan. Thank you for the show.