former safety for Alabama Christ is honored when Minkah Fitzpatrick accepts the Bart Starr Award.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, hailing from New Jersey, is widely acknowledged as one of the finest individuals to have donned the crimson and white jersey for the Crimson Tide. His impact as a five-star recruit in the 2015 class was immediate, making significant contributions as a defensive back.
Fitzpatrick’s achievements include two College Football Playoff National Championships in 2015 and 2017, earning him the titles of Consensus All-American in 2016 and Unanimous All-American in 2017. He secured two first-team All-SEC selections (2016, 2017), won the Chuck Bednarik Award (2017), and claimed the Jim Thorpe Award (2017). Picked at No. 11 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, he has since emerged as a key leader for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a four-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time first-team All-Pro honoree, and the 2022 league co-leader in interceptions, Fitzpatrick has become a formidable force in the NFL. Beyond his athletic prowess, he is known for his dedication to community service, his strong Christian faith, and his positive influence in the Steelers’ locker room. Fitzpatrick’s character was further recognized when he won the Bart Starr Award, making him the first Alabama football alumnus to receive this honor. During his acceptance speech at a Super Bowl dinner, he attributed his success to his faith in Jesus.
Fitzpatrick emphasized the importance of being a “good man” according to his faith, highlighting the commitment to following Jesus and letting Him shape one’s heart and mind. Despite acknowledging his imperfections, he expressed gratitude for the Bart Starr Award and urged others to find greatness by sitting at the feet of the cross in silence with God.
Fitzpatrick’s leadership qualities, rooted in his obedience to Jesus, played a crucial role in his success with the Crimson Tide and continue to propel him in his professional career with the Steelers.
