Ivy Bias?
Despite his impressive college career,
the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Fiedler was
not selected in the NFL draft, as his
Ivy League background, perhaps,
worked against him.
Still, Fiedler took his shot at pro
football and earned a spot with
Philadelphia as the Eagles' third quar-
terback. He dressed for every Eagles'
game in 1994-95, but only received
brief action in two contests.
When it became obvious he wasn't
in the Eagles' plans he
requested his release.
Fiedler was signed but then
released by Cincinnati
prior to the 1996 season.
He eventually saw action
with the Amsterdam
Admirals of the World
Football League in the
spring of 1997, where he
completed 46 of 109 pass-
es for 678 yards and two
touchdowns
Jay Fiedler
Fiedler failed to land a
spot with an NFL team in
the fall of 1997 and took an assistant
coaching position at Hofstra
University.
In early 1998, Fiedler tried one last
time. He put together a personal
highlight video and sent copies to 28
NFL teams. Minnesota responded
and signed him to a contract.
Fiedler eventually became the
Vikings' second-string quarterback
and finally got to throw his first NFL
pass. He saw action in five games and
completed three of seven passes for
the season.
But when Minnesota signed free-
agent quarterback Jeff George, Fiedler
again asked to be released, and he
signed with Jacksonville. The turning
point in his career came during a pre-
season game when a New York Giant
defender broke Fiedler's nose. Rather
than come out of the game, he
requested a towel, wiped off the blood
and kept playing. That toughness
impressed his coaches and helped
Fiedler beat out two quarterbacks to
earn the back-up role behind Mark
Brunell.
A Chance In '99
Last year was Fiedler's breakout year.
He played in eight games, including
one start. He completed 61 of 94
passes (65 percent) for 656 yards and
two touchdowns.
He capped the 1999 season by
playing the second half of the Jaguars'
playoff victory against Miami. Fiedler
didn't do anything to discourage his
future employers from pursuing him
in the off-season. He completed seven
of 11 passes for 172 yards, including
touchdown tosses of 70 and 38 yards.
Nine teams, including the Jaguars,
tried to sign Fiedler after the season.
But Dolphins' Coach Dave
Wannstedt assured Fiedler
he'd get a chance to earn
the starting role. Fiedler
signed a three-year contract
with Miami for a reported
$1.2 million per season.
Despite a pre-season hip
injury, Fiedler beat out
Damon Huard and finally
earned his starting spot.
Fiedler, a distant cousin
of the late Boston Pops
conductor Arthur Fiedler,
is single, but has a steady
girlfriend who lives in
Minnesota.
He comes from a Reform Jewish
background, was bar mitzvah, but has
never skipped a game because of a
Jewish holiday. Fiedler receives "a lot
of interest and a lot of support from
the Jewish community down in
Miami. Between New York and
Miami, my hometown and where I'm
playing, I get a lot of support there."
But he downplays his role as one
of the most prominent Jewish ath-
letes in the U.S. "I just consider
myself another NFL football player.
I don't want to feed into any kind
of stereotypes. Just because there
aren't a lot of us out there, that
doesn't mean there aren't great ath-
letes who are Jewish.
"I'm proud of where I came from,
what I am, and proud of what I've
been able to accomplish so far."
The key phrase is, "so far." Fiedler
said he doesn't look back, but focuses
on where he is and where he's going.
The Super Bowl is "the ultimate goal
that everyone in this league has," Fiedler
said. "If you stop now, halfway through
the year, and say, 'I never thought I'd be
a starting quarterback, this is great,'
then you're not going to keep on trying
to improve." ❑
If they're old enough
to get married, they're
old enough to get their
own Jewish News.
If you have family or friends who are marrying, consider
giving them a subscription to The Detroit Jewish News.
It's the community's "book of why." With it, they'll keep in
touch with Jewish life. Interesting articles about their heritage,
the holidays, current events and politics. Plus art, literature,
dance, kosher cooking...who's having a baby, who's
having a bar mitzvah and who's passed away.
Give your newlyweds...or any family and friends who
want to stay in touch, a useful way to do it. Give them
The Detroit Jewish News by calling (248) 354-6620 today.
I'd like to send a 52-week Jewish News gift subscription
Plus 5 free issues of Style Magazine
A $72 value ... just $48 ($65
Please bill me
Payment Enclosed
Card No.
Exp. Date
out of state)
Visa
MasterCard
Signature (Required)
Your Name
Your Address
Your City
State
Zip
Phone
Gift Card Message:
Send the Gift Subscription to:
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Mail to: Detroit Jewish News,
P.O. Box 2267, Southfield, MI 48037-2267
Phone: (248) 354-6620
Fax: (248) 354-1210
Allow 2-3 weeks delivery of The Detroit Jewish News
N
DETROIT JEWISZI NEWS
OLDN6H
I
I
a
11/10
2000
107