Jay Fiedler was a 6'2" quarterback for the Dartmouth Big Green in college. He was not drafted out of the Ivy League University, joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a third string QB in 1995. He did not attempt any passes.
Fiedler signed on as the receivers coach at Hofstra University in 1997, not returning to an active NFL roster until signing a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 1998. He completed three-of-seven passes for 41 yards and one interception.
The following season, Fiedler was signed to back up Pro Bowler Mark Brunell. He would start one game, going 28-of-39 for 317 yards and a touchdown in a week 16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, 24-7. He appeared in eight games overall, He finishing with an 83.5 quarterback rating, completing 61-of-94 passes for two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Fiedler started the 2000 NFL campaign as the Dolphin's starter. Following in the footsteps of the retiring legend Dan Marino, expectations were lofty to use an understatement. He started 15 games for Miami, posting a 10-5 record. He completed 204-of-357 passes for 2,402 yards and 14 touchdowns, also throwing 14 picks. His best performance of the season came in a 33-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills in week 13, going 13-of-21 for 214 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 54 times for 267 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins won their first playoff game despite three interceptions by Fiedler behind a 209 yard game from Lamar Smith. Fiedler also threw three interceptions the following week in a 27-0 blanking at the hands of the Oakland Raiders.
Fiedler was Miami's de facto starter in 2001, compiling an 11-5 record, and setting career highs with 273-of-450 passing for 3,290 yards and 20 touchdowns against 19 interceptions. He also set career highs with 73 rushes for 321 yards and four touchdowns. His best performance came in week one, a 31-23 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Fiedler completed 12-of-20 for 225 yards and two scores. The Dolphins were eliminated in the first playoff game, 20-3 by the Baltimore Ravens. Fiedler gained 122 yards on 15-of-28 passing, throwing one interception.
In 2002, Fiedler missed five games in the middle of the season due to a broken thumb on his throwing hand. In 10 starts (and one relief appearance), he completed 179-of-292 passes for 2,024 yards and 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He posted a 7-3 record as a starter, and his passer rating of 85.2 was a career high. His best appearance was again in the first week of the season, as he completed 18-of-27 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Miami was 2-4 with Ray Lucas at the helm for an overall 9-7 record, not quite good enough for a ticket to the dance.
2003 would again see Fiedler miss time to injury, this time to his left knee. He managed to post a 7-4 record as a starter, appearing in 12 games overall. He completed 179-of-314 passes for 2,138 yards and 11 touchdowns and 13 picks. Miami finished 10-6, but missed the playoffs. Fiedler enjoyed his best day as a professional in the Dolphins Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, completing 16-of-20 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing for another. Miami won, 40-21.
In 2004, Fiedler led the Dolphins to a 1-6 record as a starter, as the team posted an overall 4-12 mark. His best outing of the season was a week seven 31-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Fiedler went 13-for-17 for 203 yards and two touchdowns as the Dolphins managed their first victory of the season. He finished the year 101-for-190, gaining 1,186 yards and throwing only seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Fiedler joined the New York Jets in 2005, but only completed eight passes before suffering an injury that ultimately ended his career.
In total, Fiedler started 59 games for Miami, posting a 36-23 record and completing 58.4 percent of his passes for 11,040 yards, 66 touchdowns and 63 interceptions. All totals are good for third all-time on Miami's career passing statistics, behind only Hall-of-Famer's Bob Griese and Dan Marino.
In 2007, Fiedler and Demetrius Ford became co-owners of the CBA basketball expansion team, The East Kentucky Miners, According to wikipedia.org.