They say the brightest stars burn out the quickest. Ryan Fitzpatrick is no star. And yet, he just keeps on shining.
As the bulk of NFL free agency comes to a close, it’s important to take a moment and assess what the league will look like moving forward. The sports talk shows have been drowning under the weight of big name signings like Antonio Brown and Le’veon Bell. The sports world was turned on its head when superstar and famous haircut Odell Beckham Jr. was traded. And through all of this March Madness, somehow the biggest name of them all seemed to slip through the cracks. The legend, the icon, the unbreakable man: Mr. Ryan Fitzpatrick.
This weekend, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a two-year 11 million dollar deal with the Miami Dolphins and solidified that he will be returning for his fifteenth season. It can’t not be stressed enough how absolutely insane this is. So few players get to play this many seasons. Most players, including star talent, last about 3-5 years. And yet, Fitzpatrick, a seventh round pick who has played for eight different teams and has NEVER been a stable QB1, just won’t quit.
I adore this man. This man is hope. I can’t get enough of Fitzmagic. I mean even when the “Ryan Fitzpatrick Contract Meme” became a viral internet joke, teams still couldn’t avoid the cycle of getting sucked in by the magic, paying him a sweet contract, getting let down in the second year, and trading him to another team.
Society is in a frenzy right now. Everything we witness on a daily basis is about being the best. Being number one. Conquering all. Well, just how many have fallen off the face of the Earth trying to be number one and missing? No, not my guy Fitzy. He stayed in his lane. Ducking behind stars and waiting for them to fizzle out so he could shine for just long enough.
And by the way, being number one is boring. Oh wow, congrats Tom Brady, another Superbowl. SNOOOOZE. I need a guy who is unpredictable. 300 yards and 4 touchdowns in one game and then 6 horrible interceptions in the next. That’s excitement. That’s sports. Take me on that ride.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is the new American Dream. He’s the reason why it’s better to be average for a long time than great for a short time.
