Harvard Alumni Update: Fitzpatrick Continues to Shine

It was a successful week for former Harvard athletes this past week across a number of professional leagues. Here are just a few of the former Crimson standouts who featured heavily over the past seven days:

Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, New York Jets - NFL)

Ryan Fitzpatrick, who quarterbacked the 2004 Harvard football team to an undefeated, Ancient Eight championship season, has blossomed under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey this season, leading the New York Jets to a 5-3 record through eight games.

Fitzpatrick, dealt from Houston to the Jets this offseason, put in a gritty performance this weekend, leading New York to a 28-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars despite playing with a torn ligament in his thumb. He completed 21-of-34 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, continuing to find chemistry with wideouts Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall.

The former Ivy League MVP will likely have in-season surgery to repair his thumb, but doctors have suggested he may not have to miss any games as a result.

Jeremy Lin (PG, Charlotte Hornets - NBA)

Former Harvard men’s basketball star Jeremy Lin, one of the newest member of the Charlotte Hornets, has found stability in North Carolina after several years in limbo. He signed a two-year deal with the Hornets after playing out the final year of his contract in Los Angeles last season, where he was in and out of the starting lineup for the 25-win Lakers.

After the run in New York that brought Lin national media attention, this campaign has been his most stable to date. He is firmly entrenched as Kemba Walker’s backup at the point guard spot, and the Crimson alum is averaging 24.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per 48 minutes in his new role. He has played a key part in Charlotte’s recent resurgence, as they’ve now won two of three after losing their first three contests.

Cameron Brate (TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFL)

A two-time All-Ivy League honoree during his time in Cambridge, Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate has featured more heavily on the stat sheet in his second professional season. The Naperville, I.L. native has fiv e receptions for 78 yards this season, including a diving, 17-yard grab this sunday from Jameis Winston to earn the Bucs a key first down. Despite Brate’s effort, Tampa Bay still lost, 32-18, to the New York Giants.

Alexander Killorn (C, Tampa Bay Lightning - NHL)

Former Harvard men’s ice hockey standout Alexander Killorn has carved out a nice role for himself this season with last year’s runner-up Lightning. After notching 32 goals and 47 assists over the last two seasons centering Tampa Bay’s third line, Killorn has two goals and three assists thus far this season.