It was a bit unique how it all went down but it’s now official that longtime NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is retiring.
The man behind “FitzMagic” played for nine teams across 17 seasons, had suffered a season-ending hip subluxation in the Washington Commander’s season-opener this past year, and undergo arthroscopic surgery. Given that the one-year deal he’d signed last March had expired and it was unlikely that many NFL teams would want to roll the dice on him, it seemed like the ideal time for the 39-year-old to hang up the cleats.
Besides, it sounds like he’s got his next gig lined up already.
Congrats on a Helluva career, Fitzy!! Loved sharing the field with you!! The gratitude is all mine!! #BillsMafia #fitzmagic pic.twitter.com/s7n4DsiLJ7
— Fred Jackson (@Fred22Jackson) June 2, 2022
Across 17 seasons, Fitzpatrick started 147 games at quarterback, throwing for 34,990 yards with 223 touchdown passes and 169 interceptions. He also finishes with 2,625 rushing yards and 21 rushing scores.
The 2004 Ivy League Player of the Year was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams in 2005 and eventually played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Washington. While never a Pro Bowler and never even making the playoffs, Fitzpatrick started at QB for all nine teams, which is an NFL record. In 2019, he also became the oldest player to lead a team in single-season rushing yards at 37.
While Fitzpatrick was never able to make that FitzMagic in the playoffs or even come close to sniffing a Super Bowl, he will be well-remembered for his attitude and style of play, not to mention his extracurricular activities, which was evident in the reactions to the news across social media.
Looks like Ryan Fitzpatrick is calling it a career.
If so, what a ride for FitzMagic. https://t.co/gJwBMCCxcF
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 2, 2022
They could put Ryan Fitzpatrick on the Wall of Fame tomorrow and I wouldn’t blink. Tell me that dude isn’t one of the most beloved #Bills players of all-time. Congrats on a heck of a run, Fitzy. pic.twitter.com/mEsHS4GcGB
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) June 2, 2022
Awesome way to go out https://t.co/xkOiovg0BW
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) June 2, 2022
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened https://t.co/OFgxPOxI8a
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 2, 2022
Looks like Ryan Fitzpatrick is calling it a career. A good dude who had a rollercoaster ride in NY — a franchise-record 31 TD passes in ‘15 … the Jets’ last win over NE, the killer loss in BUF, the “holdout,” the 6-pick in KC … never a dull moment. https://t.co/W23vftjuWd
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) June 2, 2022
Happy (apparent) retirement to Ryan Fitzpatrick. These numbers still shock me. https://t.co/4YD5S7gZrd
— Michael Grant (@MichaelGrant_CJ) June 2, 2022
No more Fitz-magic!!! 🙁 https://t.co/xzWDGlaDfD
— Javier de Diego (@JaviCNN) June 2, 2022
