Minkah Fitzpatrick
East Rutherford New York Jets • AFC AFC East
Alabama · 10 yrs pro · Age 29
Biography
Minkah Fitzpatrick was born November 27, 1996, in Old Bridge, New Jersey. His upbringing was shaped profoundly by Hurricane Sandy, which devastated his family's home when he was 16; the Alabama football community helped the Fitzpatricks during that rebuilding period, creating a bond that would shape Minkah's eventual college choice. His family's resilience and his mother's influence have remained central themes in his career.
Fitzpatrick attended St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey — a legendary Catholic high school football program — where he became the nation's top defensive back recruit. He signed with Alabama and became one of the most decorated defenders in Nick Saban's Crimson Tide tenure, winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award, plus consensus All-American honors, en route to multiple College Football Playoff National Championships.
The Miami Dolphins selected Fitzpatrick 11th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, but his Dolphins tenure lasted less than two seasons before a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers transformed his career. In Pittsburgh he quickly became one of the most productive safeties in the NFL, earning multiple first-team All-Pro honors and becoming the cornerstone of the Steelers' secondary.
Fitzpatrick has been selected to multiple Pro Bowls and earned multiple first-team All-Pro selections, with consistent recognition as one of the top safeties in the NFL. His combination of range, ball skills — he has posted multiple multi-interception seasons — and tackling reliability has made him a complete safety and defensive leader.
His career résumé includes multiple first-team All-Pro selections, numerous Pro Bowl appearances, multiple College Football Playoff National Championships at Alabama, and status as one of the most productive safeties of his generation. His 2025 trade to the Giants reunited him with a familiar defensive scheme and brought him to the New York area.
Off the field, Fitzpatrick has been deeply committed to his Christian faith and has been open about its role in shaping his career and recovery from difficult moments. He maintains endorsement partnerships with Nike and other brands, and he has supported youth football initiatives in both his native New Jersey and the Pittsburgh community throughout his career. His quiet, measured public persona has made him a respected voice in every locker room he has joined.
Background
College
Alabama
Career Timeline
Born 1996-11-17
Attended Alabama
Began professional career
New York Jets — DB
Stats
No stats available yet. Stats are populated during the regular season.
Related Players
Quick Facts
- Height
- 6'1"
- Weight
- 207 lbs
- Age
- 29
- Born
- November 17, 1996
- College
- Alabama
- Experience
- 10 yrs
- Status
- Active
