Fitz missing family by his side
Miami QB playing first season away from his wife and children
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s somewhat reckless, daredevil-style as a quarterback earned him the FitzMagic nickname during the course of his 15-year playing career because he occasionally delivers a magic trick and pulls out a surprise play, or victory like the one he’s pursuing in Monday night’s nationally televised game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But this year it might be more fitting to call the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback FitzLonely because that’s how the 36-year-old would describe himself this season, which happens to be the first year he’s lived apart from his wife Liz and their seven children during an NFL season.
While many athletes and business professionals live a life where they are displaced from their family that has laid down roots in a city they’ve been relocated from for work, this isn’t the norm for Fitzpatrick, who joined the Dolphins this past offseason after spending two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Because Fitzpatrick, who has played for eight different teams, wanted his children to remain in the same school and community he and his wife decided against
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick passes under pressure from Buffalo BillsOct. 20. relocating
Florida.
He commutes to Tampa on his off day, and returns for practice on Wednesday morning. The family comes to South Florida for Dolphins home games, and technology helps them stay in touch during the week.
It’s a five-month sacrifice that allows the grizzled veteran to continue his path as a player before determining what comes next.
“I know I owe my wife a lot of emptying of the dishwasher and other little chores that I have neglected to do during the season,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick misses simple things, like eating dinners around the family table with his boys Brady and Tate, and girls Lucy, the family to
South
Maizy, Zoey and Ruby, the newborn. He longs to watch soccer or football practices and help them with math homework.
“Those are the little things that start to add up a little bit after a while. It’s things that I’m not able to do with some of my younger ones that I was able to do with my older ones because I’m not around as much right now,” Fitzpatrick said. “Going into this season, I knew there were certain sacrifices that had to be made, and they’re my biggest fans, so they enjoy it when I’m out there playing.”
Now that some of his children are older they get the game and why their father isn’t around. They also enjoy cheering him on, which means there will be a few sleep-deprived students showing up to class on Tuesday morning because the Fitzpatrick seven will be watching dad try beat Pittsburgh (2-4) and lead Miami to its
first win of the season.
Playing has helped eased the pain of being absent, Fitzpatrick said. Since replacing Josh Rosen and regaining his status as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback, he’s been forced to pour all his efforts and energy into helping Miami (0-6) turn the tide on this rebuilding season.
Fitzpatrick has produced a 97.3 passer rating while leading the offense to five scoring drives in his past five quarters of action.
He’s completing 66 percent of his passes, thrown for 414 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He’s averaging 7.7 yards per attempt, and hasn’t been sacked.
“Stabilizing is a good word,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said when asked about Fitzpatrick’s play. “He has a presence about himself and a poise that brings the group together and it’s something we need right now.”