Where Are They Now? "Fitzmagic" Secures Six-Year Contract

In a new weekly feature, The Crimson will be tracking the successes (and potential failures) of some of Harvard’s most successful graduates not to use their Harvard degrees. While a tour through professional sports is not exactly a who’s who of Harvard alumni, a few athletes have taken their game to the next level. From Jeremy Lin to Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Crimson maintains a presence outside of the labs and law offices of the world.

With the Bills coming off a bye week, our alumni tracker once again resumes its focus on the team’s quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick.

This week was a big one for the Harvard alum, who managed to secure a six-year, $59 million contract on Friday. The contract includes $24 million in guaranteed money, and could be the most lucrative in Buffalo Bills history.

And on Sunday, he began to earn his money.  Fitzpatrick threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, finishing 21-for-27 on the day as he led the Bills to a 23-0 win over the Washington Redskins.

Tight end Scott Chandler was on the receiving end for both of Fitzpatrick’s touchdown passes. The Harvard grad also was able to bounce back from a big hit in the first half from Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, coming back to set up a Bills field goals right before the end of the half.

Playing their annual game in Toronto’s Rogers Centre, the Bills improved to 5-2 on the season, moving into a first place tie with the Patriots in the AFC East.

It seems like the Bills have finally found a starting quarterback they are willing to commit to, with Fitzpatrick earning the first extension for his position with the Bills since Doug Flutie did in 1999.

It’s only fitting that the Bills are off to their best start at home since 1995, when Jim Kelly—the last stable quarterback the Bills had before its revolving door of journeymen and veterans—took the snaps.

With this new contract, Fitzpatrick is no longer another “no-name” quarterback but a legitimate NFL starter. “Fitzmagic” has arrived.