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