Some rivalries in the NFL are built on grit, gridiron and the games. But then there’s former multi-team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Tom Brady, who took it well beyond that. In a league that almost idolizes the former Patriots’ star, Fitzpatrick couldn’t help but carry a lingering grudge—one that started with a simple, but unforgettable snub.

Back during his Buffalo Bills days (2009-2012), Fitzpatrick and the Bills finally managed to knock off the New England Patriots in 2011. It was a huge moment: For starters, the Bills were one of Brady’s chief rivals at the time. Secondly, Fitzpatrick’s team pulled off a stunning comeback from 21-0 in the second quarter to finish the game 31-34. Now add to that Brady throwing four interceptions, and it is kind of understandable why he’d be pissed off. The result?

Instead of the usual midfield handshake—the classic “good game” quarterback ritual—Brady blew right past his opponent without so much as a nod. No congratulations, no respect. And for Fitzpatrick, that moment stuck harder than any sack or interception he ever threw. 

Talking about it on a podcast in 2022, the former QB didn’t hold back. “He [Tom Brady] just pisses me off because you’re in Buffalo, you’re playing New England…they are kicking our a– every single year. We finally, in 2011, knocked him off. It was right at the beginning of the season…He threw five interceptions which was just wonderful to see…every single one of them, wonderful to see…And just ran straight off. No handshake, no nothing. No quarterback…middle of the field…’stay healthy buddy’,…pat me on the head and let me go. Like [he] just ran straight off. So, it just bothered me so much because there was no respect,” Fitz said on Pardon My Take, recalling the sting of that moment. 

That snub stayed with him throughout his career, fueling every matchup he had against Brady. Whether it was with the New York Jets, the Buffalo Bills, or the Miami Dolphins, Fitz carried a quiet mission every time he lined up opposite No. 12: Force Brady to respect him. 

But it was during his 2019 season with the Miami Dolphins that Fitzpatrick really got his revenge—and it couldn’t have been sweeter.

A long road to earning Tom Brady’s respect

Everyone expected the Dolphins to lose the 2019 NFL season. Miami started the year 0-7, with headlines labeling them the worst team in football. Meanwhile, Tom Brady and the Patriots were doing what they always did—pushing for another deep playoff run. They just needed one last regular-season win against the Dolphins to lock up home-field advantage. Everything looked set. But Ryan Fitzpatrick clearly had other plans.

In a wild twist, he led Miami on a late drive that ended with a game-winning touchdown, finishing the game 27-24. During the podcast interview, when they asked Fitzpatrick if Brady finally shook his hand after that upset, he laughed and said, “Yeah, I think.” It wasn’t some dramatic reunion or anything, but it was enough for Fitz. After years of battling for respect, he finally got a bit of it.

Looking back, there’s something pretty fitting about the way it all went down. Fitzpatrick, the gritty underdog who always had to scrap for every start, got the last laugh against the NFL’s golden boy. And it wasn’t just a scoreboard win—it was a statement for every overlooked player who ever got brushed off after a hard-fought game.

Now, thinking about it all these years later, Fitzpatrick’s memories aren’t about stats or even the upset itself. It’s about hard-earned respect.