History of Minkah Fitzpatrick in Timeline

Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr. is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. Previously, he played for the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Before his NFL career, Fitzpatrick played college football at the University of Alabama.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 17, 1996: Minkah Fitzpatrick Born

On November 17, 1996, Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. was born. He is an American professional football safety.

2011: Hurricane Irene Damage

In 2011, Hurricane Irene severely damaged Fitzpatrick's family home, leading to financial struggles.

2014: High School Football Success

In 2014, during his time at St. Peter's Preparatory School, Fitzpatrick caught 45 passes for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns as a wide receiver. Defensively, he recorded 70 tackles and three interceptions. He also ran track.

2015: Ranked as Top Cornerback

In 2015, Fitzpatrick was considered a five-star recruit by ESPN.com and was listed as the No. 4 cornerback in the nation.

2015: Signed with Alabama

In 2015, Minkah Fitzpatrick signed with Alabama at the National Signing Day, having been verbally committed for almost a year.

2015: Freshman Season at Alabama

In 2015, as a true freshman, Fitzpatrick started 10 of 14 games for Alabama. He recorded 45 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions (returned for scores), 11 pass breakups, and one punt return for a touchdown. He was part of the team that won the national championship over Clemson and was named a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News.

2016: Record-Breaking Interception and All-American Honors

In 2016, during his sophomore season, Fitzpatrick returned an interception 100 yards in a game against Arkansas, breaking the Alabama Crimson Tide record for the longest interception returned for a touchdown. In that same game, he tied the Alabama records for most interceptions in a game (3), and career interceptions returned for a touchdown (4). He was named as a consensus All-American for 2016.

2017: Second National Championship and Awards

In 2017, Fitzpatrick recorded 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and seven passes defended during his junior season. He won his second national championship as the Crimson Tide defeated Georgia. He also won the Chuck Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award and earned consensus All-American honors for the second consecutive season.

January 11, 2018: Declared for NFL Draft

On January 11, 2018, Fitzpatrick announced his decision to enter the 2018 NFL draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

March 7, 2018: Participated at Alabama's Pro Day

On March 7, 2018, Fitzpatrick participated at Alabama's pro day, standing on his combine numbers and only performing the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and positional drills.

June 1, 2018: Signed with Miami Dolphins

On June 1, 2018, Minkah Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $16.4 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, including a $10.04 million signing bonus.

September 9, 2018: NFL Regular Season Debut

On September 9, 2018, Minkah Fitzpatrick made his professional regular season debut for the Miami Dolphins against the Tennessee Titans, recording six combined tackles and breaking up a pass in their 27–20 victory.

September 30, 2018: First Career Interception

On September 30, 2018, Fitzpatrick collected ten combined tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by Tom Brady during a 38–7 loss to the New England Patriots.

December 16, 2018: First Career Touchdown

On December 16, 2018, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass by Kirk Cousins and returned it for 50-yards to score his first career touchdown in the Dolphins' 17–41 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. He also collected a season-high six solo tackles.

2018: Drafted by Miami Dolphins

In 2018, Minkah Fitzpatrick was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the NFL draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide before being drafted.

December 31, 2018: Adam Gase Fired

On December 31, 2018, the Miami Dolphins fired head coach Adam Gase after finishing the 2018 NFL season with a 7–9 record and missing the playoffs.

September 8, 2019: Started at Nickelback for Dolphins

On September 8, 2019, Fitzpatrick started at nickelback in the Miami Dolphins' home-opener, recording six combined tackles in a 59–10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

September 13, 2019: Requested Trade from Dolphins

On September 13, 2019, it was reported that Fitzpatrick was granted permission to seek a trade after requesting it. He was unhappy with his role under Brian Flores.

September 16, 2019: Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 16, 2019, the Miami Dolphins traded Fitzpatrick, along with draft picks, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for the Steelers' draft picks. He was immediately inserted into the starting lineup.

September 22, 2019: Steelers Debut with Interception

On September 22, 2019, Fitzpatrick made his debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording five combined tackles, a pass deflection, forced a fumble, and intercepted a pass from Jimmy Garoppolo in their 24–20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

October 6, 2019: Season-High Tackles

On October 6, 2019, Fitzpatrick collected a season-high seven combined tackles during a 26–23 loss against the Baltimore Ravens.

November 8, 2019: 96-Yard Interception Return for Touchdown

On November 8, 2019, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass thrown by Brian Hoyer and returned it for a 96-yard touchdown in a 26–24 win against the Indianapolis Colts. It was the third longest interception return for a touchdown in franchise history.

October 18, 2020: Interception Returned for Touchdown Against Browns

On October 18, 2020, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass attempt by Baker Mayfield and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown as the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns 38–7.

November 22, 2020: Two Interceptions Against Jaguars

On November 22, 2020, Fitzpatrick recorded a season-high two interceptions from passes by Jake Luton in a 27–3 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His performance helped propel the Steelers to their first 10–0 start in franchise history.

2020: Season Stats and Playoff Berth

In 2020, Fitzpatrick finished the NFL season with 79 combined tackles, four interceptions, 11 passes defended, and one forced fumble. He was ranked 52nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021. The Steelers finished the AFC North with a 12–4 record, qualifying for a playoff berth.

2020: First Pro Bowl Selection

In 2020, Minkah Fitzpatrick was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. He was also ranked 35th by his fellow players in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.

2020: Draft pick to Steelers

In 2020, the Miami Dolphins received Austin Jackson as their first round draft pick from the Steelers in exchange for Fitzpatrick.

January 17, 2021: First Postseason Game

On January 17, 2021, Fitzpatrick started in his first postseason game, producing six combined tackles as the Steelers lost 37–48 to the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wildcard Game.

April 27, 2021: Fifth-Year Option Exercised

On April 27, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers exercised the fifth-year option on Fitzpatrick's rookie contract, worth a guaranteed $10.61 million for the 2022 season.

December 5, 2021: Interception against Ravens

On December 5, 2021, Fitzpatrick made nine combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass from Lamar Jackson during a 19–20 win against the Baltimore Ravens.

2021: Draft pick to Steelers

In 2021, the Miami Dolphins received a sixth round draft pick from the Steelers in exchange for Fitzpatrick.

June 15, 2022: Signed a Four-Year Contract

On June 15, 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Fitzpatrick to a four-year, $73.61 million contract, including $36.00 million guaranteed upon signing and a $17.50 million signing bonus. He became the highest-paid safety in the NFL at the time.

September 11, 2022: AFC Defensive Player of the Week

On September 11, 2022, Fitzpatrick had a standout performance, collecting a season-high 14 combined tackles, a pass deflection, an interception returned for a touchdown, and a blocked extra point, leading to a Steelers victory and earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

November 12, 2022: Diagnosed with Appendicitis

On November 12, 2022, Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with appendicitis after complaining of stomach pain and underwent surgery, causing him to be inactive for the Steelers' game against the New Orleans Saints.

2022: Guaranteed Fifth-Year Option

In 2022, Fitzpatrick's fifth-year option on his rookie contract with the Steelers was guaranteed.

January 1, 2023: Interception against Ravens

On January 1, 2023, Fitzpatrick made nine combined tackles, had a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Lamar Jackson during a 16–13 victory at the Baltimore Ravens.

October 29, 2023: Hamstring Injury

On October 29, 2023, Fitzpatrick suffered a hamstring injury during a 20–10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, causing him to miss four consecutive games.

December 16, 2023: Knee Injury

On December 16, 2023, Fitzpatrick injured his left knee during a 13–30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, resulting in him being inactive for the last three games of the season.

January 15, 2024: AFC Wildcard Game

On January 15, 2024, Fitzpatrick recorded ten combined tackles during a 17–31 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wildcard Game.

June 2024: Justice Fitzpatrick's Scholarship Offer

In June 2024, Justice Fitzpatrick, Minkah's younger brother, received a scholarship offer from the University of Alabama.

October 7, 2024: Birth of Son, Uzai Fitzpatrick

On October 7, 2024, Fitzpatrick and his partner Maya Stokes welcomed their first child, a son named Uzai Fitzpatrick.

December 21, 2024: Intercepted Pass

On December 21, 2024, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass attempt by Lamar Jackson intended for Rashod Bateman during a 17–34 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.