D. J. Fitzpatrick
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1982)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image =
| name = D.J. Fitzpatrick
| number = 2
| position = Punter / Placekicker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|11|15}}
| birth_place = Granger, Indiana, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 206
| high_school = Marian (Mishawaka, Indiana)
| college = Notre Dame
| undraftedyear = 2006
| pastteams =
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2006}})*
- Berlin Thunder (2007)
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2007|2008}})*
- Montreal Alouettes ({{CFL Year|2008}})
| highlights =
}}
Daniel Joseph Fitzpatrick (born November 15, 1982) is a former American football punter and placekicker. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Notre Dame. Fitzpatrick has also been a member of the Buffalo Bills.
Early life
Fitzpatrick attended Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Avani |date=November 9, 2003 |title=FG kicker thrills his grandpa |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/11/09/fg-kicker-thrills-his-grandpa/ |website=www.chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=August 27, 2018}} where he played quarterback, defensive back and kicker.{{Cite web |last=Gilloon |first=Mike |date=November 18, 2005 |title=D.J. FITZPATRICK: Special talent |url=https://ndsmcobserver.com/2005/11/d-j-fitzpatrick-special-talent/ |website=ndsmcobserver.com |publisher=The Observer |accessdate=August 27, 2018}} Fitzpatrick was also a captain on the Marian golf team that captured the 2001 Indiana High School Athletic Association.
College career
Fitzpatrick chose to walk-on to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team over the South Carolina Gamecocks football team. Prior to his senior season, Fitzpatrick was named a preseason nominee for the Lou Groza Award{{cite web |url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081305aab.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728143801/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081305aab.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |title=Fitzpatrick Among 30 Named To Groza Award Watch List |date=August 13, 2005 |publisher=The University of Notre Dame |work=www.und.cstv.com |accessdate=August 27, 2018 }}
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2006 NFL draft, Fitzpatrick signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets.{{cite web |url=https://und.com/news/2006/5/1/6_notre_dame_football_stars_sign_free_agent_pacts_with_nfl_teams.aspx?path=football |title=6 Notre Dame Football Stars Sign Free Agent Pacts with NFL teams |date=May 1, 2006 |publisher=The University of Notre Dame |work=www.und.com |accessdate=August 28, 2018}}
Fitzpatrick was "imported" on October 31, 2008, for one game, by Montreal Alouettes General Manager Jim Popp to replace kicker, Damon Duval. He was released immediately after the game as Duval recovered quickly.
Personal life
He received an undergraduate and master's degree in Accounting from the Mendoza School of Business at the University of Notre Dame.
He later became a Financial Analyst with Goldman Sachs in their West Palm Beach, Florida office.{{cn|date=December 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=fitzpdj001 Stats Crew profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080306030618/http://www.buffalobills.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=122789 Buffalo Bills bio]
- [http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fitzpatrick_dj00.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630064721/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fitzpatrick_dj00.html |date=2008-06-30 }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fitzpatrick, D. J.}}
Category:American football placekickers
Category:American football punters
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Berlin Thunder players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Montreal Alouettes players
Category:People from Granger, Indiana