In safety Robert Fitzgerald, Northwestern has a truly recognized leader. Named one of the six team captains for this season, he was also one of the three players chosen to represent the team at Big Ten Media Days. However, the biggest honor bestowed upon Robert Fitzgerald so far, is the #1 jersey. It’s a very special plaudit within the Northwestern football program.
It’s “The Wildcat,” as it is granted to the one player who embodies what the team is about, both on and off the field.
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“It means the world to me,” Fitzgerald said in an interview with The Sports Bank and one other media member.
“I told the guys yesterday that you know this is the greatest honor that I’ve had in my life, and there’s not going to be another award or recognition that I could be possibly be more proud of for the rest of my life, so that’s what it means.”
During his weekly Monday press conference, Northwestern head coach David Braun lauded Fitzgerald (no relation to Pat) for work ethic and dedication. Braun went on to say that Fitzgerald has made him a better person.
NFL scouts are also high on the senior, who projects as a top 150 overall and top 30 defenisve back prospect in next April’s draft.
He’s elite in run defense, and form tackling. He’s a truly dangerous defender up near the line of scrimmage.Fitzgerald is the Big Ten’s leading returner in total tackles (115 total, 70 solo). Last season, he had six tackles for a loss, an interception, four passes broken up and one fumble recovery.
We asked him what he thinks his best traits are as a player.
“I would say I’m just relentless in the way that I work throughout the week,” he responded.
“I try to do everything I can to prepare as hard as I can in order to be able to play fast and free on Saturdays. “So I would say that’s kind of maybe sets me apart from other people.”
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.