Washington, DC - After 17 seasons, nine NFL teams, and several records to him name, longtime quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has officially retired from the league.

Fitzy's final bow has come.

A Harvard-educated QB who dazzled the NFL for nine teams spanning 17 seasons is heading off the field for good.

Fitzpatrick announced his "FitzMagic" retirement from the NFL in a message he sent to former teammates about his decision.

Running back Fred Jackson, Fitzpatrick's former Buffalo Bills teammate, made the announcement public by tweeting a screenshot of the retirement message.

"Congrats on a Helluva career, Fitzy!!," Jackson wrote in response to Fitzpatrick's message. "Loved sharing the field with you!! The gratitude is all mine!!"

The 39-year-old started for nine different teams, the most by any quarterback in league history, and exceeded all expectations as a seventh-round draft pick.

Fitzpatrick holds several records for multiple franchises, including most touchdown passes by a Houston Texans quarterback in a game – six in 2014 – and most touchdown passes by a player in a season – 31 for the New York Jets in 2015.

In 2009, his 98-yard touchdown pass for the Buffalo Bills became the longest touchdown pass in franchise history. Fitzpatrick even led the Miami Dolphins in rushing in 2020 with 243 yards – becoming the oldest player, at the age of 38, to lead a team in rushing in NFL history.

An athlete of true grit, Fitzpatrick inspired a generation of players through his journey of "beating the odds."