Ryan Fitzpatrick reflects on 2019 season finale that clinched first-round bye for Chiefs

Many consider the Kansas City Chiefs to be the NFL’s latest dynasty. The team won its second Super Bowl title in franchise history during the 2019 season, and one of the most underrated factors in their success that year was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who wasn’t on Kansas City’s roster.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Fitzpatrick ahead of the American Century Championship golf tournament and discussed the upcoming event on the links as well as the aftermath of his game-winning drive in the 2019 regular-season finale that clinched Kansas City a first-round bye.

“The American Century Championship is awesome. It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year. I know that so many athletes, celebrities, and comedians play in this thing every year that I really look forward to it, and Americans Century does such a great job putting it on,” said Fitzpatrick of the golf tournament. “[It] seems like it’s getting bigger and bigger every year. With the fans, there’s prize money for the golfers, which is competitive and great, and American Century’s commitment to their charitable causes. You know, almost $8 million has been given away to charity through this term.”

As a member of the Miami Dolphins, Fitzpatrick led a game-winning drive against the heavily favored New England Patriots in the 2019 regular-season finale. The victory didn’t help the already-eliminated Dolphins, but it did catapult the Chiefs into the number two seed which, at that time, secured them a first-round bye in the postseason.

“Every time I see a Chiefs fan, they come up to me and say something,” Fitzpatrick explained. “I’ve been in Kansas City a few times for Thursday night football or my cousin’s wedding, but Chiefs fans in general, in the airport, I get that quite a bit still. It was a great memory for me, and obviously one that Chiefs fans really appreciate and will always remember.”

The victory was critical for the Chiefs on their way to winning Super Bowl LIV as they kept home-field advantage through the AFC Championship game. Fitzpatrick was still acknowledged for his heroics in this happening, and it wasn’t limited to just fans in Kansas City.

“Jonathan Thomas, the CEO of American Century, sent me some Kansas City barbecue,” said Fitzpatrick, “because he was so appreciative of that win.”

Check out the website for more information about the American Century Championship .