Ryan Fitzpatrick pulled off one of the strangest pranks in NFL history during his Miami tenure. The veteran quarterback recently explained why he ran through the Dolphins’ practice facility wearing nothing but a helmet and jockstrap.
What Did Ryan Fitzpatrick Say About His Naked Run at the Dolphins Facility?
Fitzpatrick revealed the story on the “Fitz & Whit” podcast, where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined him. He explained the bizarre incident that occurred during COVID-19 protocols in 2020. He tested positive for the virus shortly after his famous facemask-grab throw against the Raiders in Week 16.
“I used to walk around, because you guys would videotape everything, in a jockstrap and a mask, bending over, grabbing waters. I did a naked run with my helmet on through the practice facility,” Fitzpatrick told Goodell.
When Fitz did a “naked run” around the Dolphins practice facility 😭 pic.twitter.com/AK5HKPLi1C
— Fitz & Whit (@fitzandwhit) October 16, 2025
The reason? Pure mischief aimed at Miami’s compliance staff. COVID-19 protocols required the Dolphins to constantly monitor facility cameras to ensure everyone wore their masks properly. Fitzpatrick decided to give those reviewers something memorable.
“Because I wanted the people that had to review the boring videos to make sure everybody was masked up. To at least know that I was masked up,” Fitzpatrick explained to the commissioner.
His co-host clarified the full extent of the prank: “So everybody would be gone, and he would go in the indoor, where he knew there was cameras, and he would just run around in a jockstrap, just because he wanted somebody to have to review where he was in the building.”
How Did Fitzpatrick Perform During His Miami Stint?
Fitzpatrick spent two seasons with the Dolphins from 2019 to 2020, posting a 9-11 record as a starter. He threw for 5,620 yards and 33 touchdowns across both campaigns while providing veteran stability to a rebuilding roster.
His 2019 season showed flashes of the magic that defined his career. Fitzpatrick tried to lead Miami back after a 0-7 start, including a 419-yard, four-touchdown overtime victory against Cincinnati that earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Unfortunately, they finished the season with a record of 5-11.
The 2020 season brought a new dynamic when Miami drafted Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall. Fitzpatrick started seven games before the rookie took over, but remained a valuable presence. He mentored Tagovailoa throughout the season, sharing film study sessions and helping the first-round pick adjust to NFL defenses.
Currently, Tagovailoa is ranked 12th nationally in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, with an 80.7 QB Impact score and a B- grade.
Fitzpatrick also delivered key relief performances down the stretch. His most memorable moment came in Week 16 at Las Vegas, where he threw a 34-yard completion while having his facemask grabbed, drawing a critical penalty that helped set up Miami’s game-winning field goal.
Fitzpatrick retired in June 2022 after 17 NFL seasons with nine different teams. He finished his career with 34,990 passing yards and 223 touchdowns, now working as an analyst for Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video.