Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. Bio
Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. is an American professional football safety who currently plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected 11th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2018 NFL Draft. Fitzpatrick has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier safeties, earning three First-team All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl invitations. He is recognized for his exceptional versatility, football intelligence, and playmaking ability in the secondary. Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick has demonstrated a consistent ability to create turnovers and make clutch plays in critical moments.
Early Life and Background
Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. was born on November 17, 1996, in Old Bridge, New Jersey, to Melissa and Minkah Fitzpatrick Sr. He grew up in a challenging environment that shaped his character and work ethic. In 2011, Hurricane Irene severely damaged his family’s home, creating significant financial hardship. His father, who had been laid off from his job as a truck mechanic, took on multiple jobs to support the family, while young Minkah helped rebuild their home. These early hardships instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, faith, and perseverance. Fitzpatrick was raised in a Christian household and has often spoken about the importance of his faith, citing Bible verses such as Micah 7:8 as guiding principles during difficult times.
Fitzpatrick attended St. Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he played high school football for the Marauders. He excelled as both a wide receiver on offense and a defensive back on defense. During his senior year in 2014, he caught 45 passes for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns while recording 70 tackles and three interceptions on defense. His exceptional athleticism extended to track and field, where he placed first at the Hudson County Championships with times of 10.86 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.66 seconds in the 200 meters. Considered a five-star recruit by ESPN.com, Fitzpatrick was ranked as the No. 4 cornerback in the nation in the class of 2015.
Path to Professional Football
Fitzpatrick signed with the University of Alabama on National Signing Day in 2015 after being verbally committed for almost a year. He immediately made an impact as a true freshman, starting 10 of 14 games and missing only one game due to injury. He recorded 45 total tackles, three for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions both returned for touchdowns, 11 pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, and one punt return for a touchdown. He earned Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News and was part of Alabama’s national championship team that defeated Clemson.
During his sophomore season in 2016, Fitzpatrick continued to showcase his exceptional talent. He returned an interception 100 yards in a 49-30 win over then-16th-ranked Arkansas, breaking the Alabama Crimson Tide record for longest interception returned for a touchdown. In that same game, he tied Alabama records for most interceptions in a game with three and career interceptions returned for touchdowns with four. He was named a Consensus All-American for 2016 and First-team All-SEC.
In his junior season in 2017, Fitzpatrick recorded 60 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and seven passes defensed. He won his second national championship as the Crimson Tide defeated Georgia 26-23 in overtime. Fitzpatrick earned the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing him as the top defensive back in college football. He received Unanimous All-American honors for the second consecutive season along with First-team All-SEC recognition. On January 11, 2018, he announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. Career
NFL Debut and Miami Dolphins (2018-2019)
The Miami Dolphins selected Fitzpatrick in the first round with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the first safety drafted that year. On June 1, 2018, the Dolphins signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year, $16.4 million contract that included a signing bonus of $10.04 million. He made his professional regular season debut on September 9, 2018, against the Tennessee Titans, recording six combined tackles and breaking up a pass in the 27-20 victory. He earned his first career start in Week 3 and recorded his first career interception off a pass by Tom Brady in Week 4 against the New England Patriots.
Fitzpatrick continued to develop throughout his rookie season, recording his first career defensive touchdown on December 16, 2018, when he intercepted a pass by Kirk Cousins intended for Stefon Diggs and returned it 50 yards for a score. He finished his rookie season with 80 combined tackles, two interceptions, nine passes defended, and one touchdown while appearing in all 16 games and starting 11 of them. The Dolphins fired head coach Adam Gase after the season, and new head coach Brian Flores began utilizing Fitzpatrick in multiple different roles in the secondary.
On September 13, 2019, Fitzpatrick was granted permission to have his agent seek a trade after expressing unhappiness with his role under Brian Flores. He was playing out of his natural position and performed four different roles in the season opener.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2019-2024)
On September 16, 2019, the Miami Dolphins traded Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for multiple draft picks. Head coach Mike Tomlin immediately inserted him into the starting lineup as the starting free safety. Fitzpatrick made an immediate impact, recording his first interception with the Steelers on September 22, 2019, against the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 8, he made two interceptions thrown by fellow quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick against his former team, setting a career high. On November 8, 2019, he intercepted a pass thrown by Brian Hoyer and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown, the third longest interception return for a touchdown in Steelers franchise history.
He started all 14 games during his first season with the Steelers, recording 69 combined tackles, five interceptions, nine passes deflections, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and two touchdowns. He earned his first Pro Bowl invitation and was ranked 35th by his fellow players in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. In 2020, he earned Second-team All-Pro honors while starting all 13 games with 79 combined tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes defensed.
Fitzpatrick continued his high level of play in 2021, finishing with a career-high 124 combined tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defensed, and one forced fumble in 16 games and 16 starts. On April 27, 2021, the Steelers exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract worth $10.61 million for the 2022 season. On June 15, 2022, Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $73.61 million contract with $36 million guaranteed and a $17.50 million signing bonus, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL at the time with an annual salary of $18.4 million.
He delivered an exceptional 2022 season, finishing with 96 combined tackles, 11 passes defensed, and six interceptions with a touchdown in 15 starts. He was named First-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl, and he led the NFL in interceptions during that season. He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1 of 2022 for his performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fitzpatrick was named the 2024 Bart Starr Award winner for his contributions on and off the field.
Return to Miami Dolphins (2025-Present)
On June 30, 2025, Fitzpatrick was traded back to the Miami Dolphins, the team that originally drafted him, along with a 2027 fifth-round pick, in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick. This move reunited Fitzpatrick with the organization that selected him seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Fitzpatrick immediately rejoined the Dolphins’ secondary and resumed his role as a starting safety. In Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints, he intercepted a two-point attempt and returned it 93 yards, helping seal a 21-17 victory.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fitzpatrick is widely regarded as one of the most versatile safeties in the NFL. His exceptional football intelligence allows him to excel in multiple roles within defensive coordinator’s schemes. He demonstrates elite coverage ability against tight ends and running backs while also performing effectively in deep safety and box roles. His instincts and ball skills are exceptional, consistently positioning himself to make plays on the ball and create turnovers for his team. Fitzpatrick possesses the rare combination of physicality against the run and the coverage ability to match up with skilled offensive weapons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick has delivered numerous signature performances. His 96-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 ranks as the third longest in Steelers franchise history. His 2022 season included leading the NFL in interceptions and earning First-team All-Pro honors for the third time. He has accumulated 690 career tackles, 21 interceptions, 60 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, and five defensive touchdowns across 111 regular-season games. Fitzpatrick has been selected to five Pro Bowls and earned three First-team All-Pro honors.
Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. Career Wins
Fitzpatrick has accumulated impressive statistics across his NFL career, establishing himself among the league’s elite safeties. His ability to create turnovers and make game-changing plays has been a consistent theme throughout his professional career.
NFL Highlights
Across seven NFL seasons, Fitzpatrick has recorded 690 total tackles, 21 interceptions, and 60 passes defensed. He has scored five defensive touchdowns and recovered seven fumbles while forcing six fumbles. His 21 interceptions include multiple games with multiple picks, and he has returned several interceptions for touchdowns. Fitzpatrick’s consistent production has earned him recognition as one of the NFL’s top defensive backs.
College Achievements
At Alabama, Fitzpatrick was a dominant player across three seasons. He won national championships in 2015 and 2017 and earned the Chuck Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award in 2017. He received Unanimous All-American honors in 2017 and Consensus All-American honors in 2016. He was named First-team All-SEC in both 2016 and 2017.
Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. Family
Family Background
Fitzpatrick was raised by his parents Minkah Fitzpatrick Sr. and Melissa in Old Bridge, New Jersey. His family faced significant financial hardship when Hurricane Irene damaged their home in 2011. His father, who had been laid off from his job as a truck mechanic, took on multiple jobs to support the family. Fitzpatrick helped rebuild their home, an experience that taught him valuable lessons about perseverance and determination. He has four siblings including Justice, Promise, Destiny, and Devine. His younger brother Justice Fitzpatrick is a high school football player and top recruit for the class of 2026 who signed to play college football at the University of Georgia in December 2025.
Personal Life
Fitzpatrick has been in a long-term relationship with Maya Stokes, a fashion model represented by Docherty Talent Agency. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Uzai, on October 7, 2024, at Allegheny Health Network’s labor and delivery unit at Wexford Hospital. Uzai was born weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Fitzpatrick has remained committed to his faith and family throughout his career, often crediting them as the foundation of his success both on and off the field. He has four siblings: Justice, Promise, Destiny, and Devine.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks an exciting new chapter for Fitzpatrick as he returns to the Miami Dolphins, the organization that drafted him seventh overall in 2018. After five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fitzpatrick brings a wealth of experience and proven production to a Dolphins defense looking to make a deep playoff run. His versatility and leadership in the secondary will be invaluable as Miami competes for a playoff spot in the AFC.
Fitzpatrick joined a Dolphins team with established defensive talent and a clear vision for success. His presence immediately upgraded the safety position and provided a veteran leader in the defensive backfield. The coaching staff deployed him in various roles to maximize his skills and create mismatches against opposing offenses. His football intelligence and communication abilities helped elevate the entire secondary unit throughout the season.