Jamie Fitzgerald (American football)
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]
| No. 29 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive back | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | April 30, 1965 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 | |||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Early life and education
editFitzgerald 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
editIn 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
editAfter his retirement from football, Fitzgerald was a defensive coordinator at Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b "Jamie Fitzgerald Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Jamie Fitzgerald, DB". Nfl.com. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Big Sky Alums prominent in new NFL plan". The Times-News. September 29, 1987. p. 21. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "NFL". Casper Star-Tribune. August 30, 1989. p. 8. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "FitzGerald headed for ISU". The Spokesman-Review. February 11, 1983. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "One-time Bengal selected as WLAF defensive back". The Times-News. February 25, 1991. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cats face Bengals with Andal at helm" (PDF). Montana.edu. p. 23.
- ^ "Tackles". Idaho State Bengals.
- ^ "Idaho State 2010 Football Media Guide". Issuu. August 24, 2010.
- ^ "Merril Hoge ran for two touchdowns and caught a..." United Press International. September 8, 1985.
- ^ "Bengal capsule". Reno Gazette-Journal. July 22, 1986. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Football". The Spokesman-Review. March 6, 1988. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jamie Fitzgerald Stats". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Nichols, Dave (December 19, 2019). "Hall of Fame football coach Don Anderson dies at 87". Spokesman Review. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
