Ryan Fitzpatrick, the enigmatic quarterback out of Harvard who brought his “FitzMagic” to the NFL for nine teams spanning 17 seasons, announced his retirement Thursday, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Fitzpatrick, popular throughout his career with his teammates and known for his prolific beard, made the announcement in a text message to his former teammates.
Fitzpatrick, 39, suffered a season-ending hip subluxation in the second quarter of Washington‘s season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in September and had to undergo arthroscopic surgery.
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
He had signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Washington in March 2021.
In 17 seasons, Fitzpatrick has started 147 games, throwing for 34,990 yards with 223 touchdown passes and 169 interceptions. He began his career as a seventh-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2005 and he also has played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Washington during his career.
He has started games for all nine teams, which is an NFL record among quarterbacks. Fitzpatrick, however, never made the playoffs during his career.