Jamie Fitzgerald (American football)

Last updated

Jamie Fitzgerald
No. 29
Position: Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1965-04-30) April 30, 1965 (age 59)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school: Gonzaga Prep
College: Idaho State
Undrafted: 1986
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:2
Player stats at PFR

Edgar James Fitzgerald (born April 30, 1965) is a former American football defensive back who played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) in 1987. He played college football at Idaho State University. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Fitzgerald was born on April 30, 1965, in Spokane, Washington. [1] He attended Gonzaga Preparatory School there, and was a member of their State AAA championship team. [5] He later played college football for the Division I-AA Idaho State Bengals for two seasons. [6] In his two seasons, Fitzgerald played as a defensive back and return specialist, and was described as a leader of the team's defense. [7] As a sophomore in 1985, he led the team in tackles with 92 total, [8] returned five interceptions, a team sophomore record, led Idaho State with 9.3 yards per punt return, and made 372 punt return yards, a mark which was 5th all-time in team history as of 2010. [9] Fitzgerald was named to the Second-team All-Big Sky Conference. [6] In a game against Northern Colorado, he returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown as the Bengals won 44–17. [10] Fitzgerald left the team prior to the 1986 season, after getting into a dispute with coach Jim Koetter. [11] [12]

Professional career

In 1987, after being out of the sport for a year, Fitzgerald was signed by the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) during the NFLPA strike. [3] He wore number 29, and appeared in two games as a substitute before being released at the end of the strike. [13] The Vikings managed to make the playoffs that season, and Fitzgerald and the other replacement players received a bonus despite losing the games they played. He was invited back to the team in training camp in 1988 and 1989, being given contracts each year, but never made the final roster. [14] [15]

In 1991, Fitzgerald was selected by New York in the fifth round with the 42nd pick of the World League of American Football draft, but did not play for the team. [6]

Later life

After his retirement from football, Fitzgerald was a defensive coordinator at Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl IV</span> Fourth AFL–NFL Championship Game

Super Bowl IV was an American football game played on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the fourth and final AFL–NFL World Championship Game in professional football prior to the AFL–NFL merger taking effect the following season. The American Football League (AFL) champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the National Football League (NFL) champion Minnesota Vikings by the score of 23–7. This victory by the AFL squared the Super Bowl series with the NFL at two games apiece as the two leagues merged after the game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl IX</span> 1975 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl IX was an American football game played between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Minnesota Vikings to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1974 season. The game was played on January 12, 1975, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Steelers defeated the Vikings by the score of 16–6 to win their first Super Bowl championship.

Super Bowl XI was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Oakland Raiders and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Minnesota Vikings to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for its 1976 season. The Raiders defeated the Vikings by the score of 32–14 to win their first Super Bowl. The game was played on January 9, 1977, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This remains the earliest scheduled calendar date for a Super Bowl; and the most recent Super Bowl to begin before 4:00 p.m. ET.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XVI</span> 1982 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XVI was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Cincinnati Bengals to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1981 season. The 49ers defeated the Bengals by the score of 26–21 to win their first Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXIII</span> 1989 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXIII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Cincinnati Bengals and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1988 season. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20–16, winning their third Super Bowl. The game was played on January 22, 1989, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. This was the first Super Bowl hosted in the Miami area in 10 years, and the first in Miami not held at the Orange Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Woodson</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Roderick Kevin Woodson is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Widely considered one of the greatest defensive backs of all time, Woodson holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries (32) by a defensive player, and interceptions returned for touchdown (12). He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yale Lary</span> American football player, businessman, and politician (1930–2017)

Robert Yale Lary Sr. was an American professional football player, businessman, and politician. He played for 11 seasons as a safety, punter and return specialist for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was also selected for the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Christiansen</span> American football player and coach (1928–1986)

Jack LeRoy Christiansen was an American professional football player who became a college and pro coach. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions as a safety and return specialist from 1951 to 1958. He helped lead the Lions to three NFL championships in 1952, 1953, and 1957 and was a first-team All-NFL player in six of his eight years in the league. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1953 and 1957 and in punt returns for touchdown in 1951, 1952, 1954, and 1956. His eight career punt returns for touchdowns was an NFL record until 1989 and remains the fourth best in league history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Brown (cornerback)</span> American football player and coach (1953–2006)

David Steven Brown was an American professional football player who was a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1975), Seattle Seahawks (1976–1986), and Green Bay Packers (1987–1989). He was selected as a second-team All-NFL player in 1984 and a second-team All-AFC player in 1985. His 62 career interceptions ranks tied for tenth in NFL history, with only five players having more interceptions in a career since his career ended in 1989. His 50 interceptions with the Seahawks remains a club record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emlen Tunnell</span> American football player and coach (1924–1975)

Emlen Lewis Tunnell, nicknamed "the Gremlin", was an American football player and coach. He was the first African-American to play for the New York Giants and also the first to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

John Melvin "Deep" Friesz is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for four teams. He played college football for the Idaho Vandals and was drafted in the 1990 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, he later played for the Washington Redskins, the Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots.

Derrick Scott Alexander is an American college football coach and former professional player who is the head football coach for Avila University, a position he has held since 2023. He played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Carr (American football)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Charles Christopher Carr is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback, punt returner, and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He was also a member of the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos.

LaVern Earl "Torgy" Torgeson was an American football player and coach. He played college football for Washington State from 1948 through 1950. Torgeson played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons, principally as a linebacker, for the Detroit Lions from 1951 to 1954 and for the Washington Redskins from 1955 to 1957.

Sullivan Anthony "Tripp" Welborne III is an American former professional football player for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).

Kitrick Lavell Taylor is a former professional American football player. A wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) from 1988–1993, Taylor is probably best known for catching Brett Favre's first ever winning touchdown pass in the NFL, a 35-yard strike with thirteen seconds remaining to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 24–23 on September 20, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987 San Diego Chargers season</span> NFL team season

The 1987 San Diego Chargers was the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 28th overall. The team improved on their 4–12 record in 1986, finishing 8–7 but missing the playoffs. The strike of 1987 reduced the regular season schedule from sixteen to fifteen games. The Chargers started the season 8–1, with victories over eventual division winners Indianapolis and Cleveland, before collapsing to lose their final six games of the season, narrowly missing the playoffs. All but one of their final six losses came to teams that made the postseason in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Munnerlyn</span> American football player (born 1988)

Captain Lesean Munnerlyn is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at South Carolina for three years. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round, 216th overall of the 2009 NFL draft. Munnerlyn also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

The National Football League playoffs for the 2009 season began on January 9, 2010. The postseason tournament concluded with the New Orleans Saints defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, 31–17, on February 7, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Nick Whitworth is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the Special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Washington State. He has also coordinated special teams at Texas State, Portland State, Central Washington and Idaho State.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jamie Fitzgerald Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Jamie Fitzgerald, DB". Nfl.com. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Big Sky Alums prominent in new NFL plan". The Times-News. September 29, 1987. p. 21. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ "NFL". Casper Star-Tribune. August 30, 1989. p. 8. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  5. ↑ "FitzGerald headed for ISU". The Spokesman-Review . February 11, 1983. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. 1 2 3 "One-time Bengal selected as WLAF defensive back". The Times-News . February 25, 1991. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ "Cats face Bengals with Andal at helm" (PDF). Montana.edu. p. 23.
  8. ↑ "Tackles". Idaho State Bengals .
  9. ↑ "Idaho State 2010 Football Media Guide". Issuu. August 24, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Merril Hoge ran for two touchdowns and caught a..." United Press International . September 8, 1985.
  11. ↑ "Bengal capsule". Reno Gazette-Journal . July 22, 1986. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  12. ↑ "Football". The Spokesman-Review . March 6, 1988. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  13. ↑ "Jamie Fitzgerald Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  14. 1 2 Tomasson, Chris (September 29, 2017). "Desperate in 1987 strike, Vikings brought in 37-year-old touch football player at QB". Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  15. ↑ Nichols, Dave (December 19, 2019). "Hall of Fame football coach Don Anderson dies at 87". Spokesman Review. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.