Ryan Fitzgerald, a rookie kicker for the Carolina Panthers, is making an impression on his teammates with his composure and confidence as he enters his first NFL season. Fitzgerald, who played college football at Florida State University, secured the Panthers’ kicking job during training camp after competing with veteran Matthew Wright.
Fitzgerald’s integration into the team began not just on the field but also off it. During a competitive session on the team’s golf simulator, Fitzgerald accepted a wager from veteran safety Nick Scott, despite being an undrafted rookie without guaranteed money. Punter and holder Sam Martin supported Fitzgerald in the bet. Fitzgerald won the match, which left an impression on long snapper JJ Jansen.
“And Nick was kind of busting his chops about not being very good, and Ryan said something to the effect of ‘You want to bet on it?” long snapper JJ Jansen recalled. “And Nick was like, ‘Sure, how much?'”
“I’ve got to have my guy’s back,” Martin said with a laugh.
“It’s like he didn’t have any real fear about going and competing,” Jansen said. “Look, I got in the league at 22, I don’t know that I had the guts to go do that for the money. And you’re not dealing with other specialists, you’re dealing with leaders on the team, veteran guys, and he had no pause at all in going and doing it.
“And I think, OK, there’s someone who exudes some confidence, and I thought that was a positive step. Now we don’t really care how well he hits a golf ball. We care about how he kicks a field goal, but I think those sorts of things speak to temperament and competitiveness.”
Scott commented on Fitzgerald’s win: “I mean, I don’t know if it really counts, he was playing with free money,” he said.
Scott also noted Fitzgerald’s fit within the team: “So kudos to him, he’s got a lot of confidence, which I love. He fits in, and he’s a good dude. I picked up on that early. We went to dinner during the preseason. Ryan is just a natural; he just fits in. Like good conversation, wasn’t nervous, was sharing experiences. Just was one of the guys and in my mind, shoot, I’m not an evaluator, but I’m like, I mean right now he has an edge in my book because he fits.
“So much of that trio of snapper, holder, and kicker is fit, how well you work together, the personalities, and I think Ryan fits the bill. He owns it, man. He carries himself like he belongs here…”
Jansen emphasized that beyond physical talent teams look for temperament in young kickers: “I think what you’re looking for in young kickers is beyond the raw kicking talent,” said Jansen… “It’s the temperament… The ability to handle himself in the locker room… because that stuff all matters to a position that a handful of games are going to be on his foot at the end of the game… So you’re looking for someone with the right temperament…”
Martin agreed: “For his age and being a rookie and having no NFL experience so far, he’s very poised… he’s cool… I don’t think the moment’s too big for him,” Martin said.
Fitzgerald himself has taken changes in stride throughout his career at FSU—after struggling during one season (making 12-of-20 field goals), he improved significantly over his final two years by converting 32-of-34 attempts along with all extra points.
Asked about winning Carolina’s kicking job after Wright’s departure this summer: “I just heard about Matt leaving,” Fitzgerald said. “And then I showed up to practice the next day and was able to practice…”
Reflecting on moving into his new role—and city—he added: “It’s just a big learning process for me… obviously having Sam and JJ here has been leaning on them for their advice…” He continued: “…as soon as I knew I was the guy… quick turnaround… try to get a place… I’m a Charlotte resident now.”
Fitzgerald’s first NFL regular season game will take place near TPC Sawgrass—a venue where he already demonstrated poise among teammates—and close to where weather once shifted plans during his college debut at FSU.
