Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker Joe Andreessen recently received some unexpected assistance in paying his first NFL fine. Andreessen, who joined the Bills after a standout performance in rookie minicamp, made a hit in last week’s game that led to a fine. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg reported on November 2 that Andreessen was fined $4,421.29 for unnecessary roughness due to using his helmet while tackling a Seahawks player on a kickoff return. Although he wasn’t penalized during the game, the fine was later imposed.
Following the announcement, Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson expressed his discontent with the fine on social media, which caught the attention of former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, a fan-favorite and current NFL commentator, offered to cover Andreessen’s fine, posting, “DM me Joe’s info and I’ll pay the fine for him…can’t be taking money away from Mr. Buffalo.”
Andreessen, a local star from Lancaster High School, became popular during the preseason with a series of impressive performances. After setting a single-season record of 116 tackles at Bryant in 2022, he transferred to the University of Buffalo for his final college season. His strong showing there led to an invitation to the Bills’ rookie minicamp, where he eventually secured a spot on the team’s active roster. Reflecting on his journey, Andreessen expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the coaches, emphasizing his desire to prove himself and help the team succeed.
Despite playing for nine teams over his 17-year NFL career, Fitzpatrick has retained close ties with the Bills. He has also built a strong bond with Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who gave Fitzpatrick an update on his own health earlier in the season after sustaining a minor injury. Fitzpatrick shared his thoughts on Allen’s recovery, noting that Allen’s throwing ability wouldn’t be impacted.
Leave a Reply