KEVIN Fitzgibbons has built a highly accomplished photography career while still a college student at the University of Miami.
Now, football fans want to know more about the photographer and the reasons behind his NFLsuspension.
Who is Kevin Fitzgibbons?
Kevin Fitzgibbons is a photographer for the NFL who is contracted to shoot Miami Dolphins home games, per ESPN.
He has also worked with the New York Giants and with multiple NFL players individually, such as Tyreek Hill, Saquon Barkley, and Antonio Brown.
Per his LinkedInprofile, he is a video editor, videographer, and social media manager who makes video content for both professional and collegiateathletes.
He also works for “top agencies and marketing companies” like Vayner Sports Agency, Overtime, and Rosenhaus Sports Representation.
Fitzgibbons’ LinkedIn continues that he works “directly with social media managers” and comes up “with ideas to reach maximum engagement.”
The 20-year-old is a student at the University of Miami, where he is studying sports and fitness administration/management.
He has over 312,000 followers on his TikTok account, @kfitz, 187,000 followers on his Instagram page, @kfitz, and more than 13,000 on his X account, @kfitzsports.
Why was Kevin Fitzgibbons suspended by the NFL?
As ESPN reported, Fitzgibbons was suspended by the NFL for his role in Hill’s touchdown celebration that took place during a Week 6 game between the Dolphins and the Carolina Panthers.
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Fitzgibbons posted a video on social media to explain how he “got his credentials suspended for the rest of the NFL season at 20 years old.”
After referring to Hill as “one of his best friends,” he said, in part: “In Week 6 of this season, Tyreek scored a touchdown in the exact same corner of the endzone that I was filming in.
“He noticed me, and surprised me by grabbing my phone and doing a backflip. It was the coolest moment ever, and I ran in the tunnel to send the clip to the NFL.
“Tyreek got a penalty for the celebration, and was immediately asked about it after the game.”
The video then shows a clip of Hill speaking about the incident following the game.
Fitzgibbons continued: “The NFL then let me know that I would be suspended for the remainder of the season and possibly for good.
“They said regardless if I knew the celebration was coming or not, I still had to be disciplined, and that I shouldn’t have jumped on the sidelines after the play.
“One of the best moments of my life turned upside down in a matter of seconds. I get why the NFL had to make this decision, and wish could’ve done something to prevent it, but I’m thankful for the memory that Tyreek gave me.
“This was the greatest job in the world, and I never took a day for granted. I can’t thank the NFL enough for the opportunity. Whether it’s back with the NFL, or starting a new sport, I just hope to get another chance at doing what I love.”
According to ESPN, when asked about the celebration after the game, Hill said: “It’s just one of those things that kind of happened. I saw the camera and I just took it from him, and he didn’t want me to take it from him. So, I just called my shot.”
“A league source” confirmed Fitzgibbons’ suspension to the outlet, but made it clear that he is still an NFL employee who is welcome to attend future events.
The source said: “Despite reports to the contrary, Kevin Fitzgibbons remains a contracted NFL employee.”
The source continued: “While his game access has been temporarily suspended due to multiple violations of NFL policy, he is welcome and encouraged to participate in any number of other projects involving off-field league events as well as personal projects with players.”
What has Tyreek Hill said about the suspension?
Hill has spoken out following the suspension, saying that he will be paying for Fitzgibbons’ salary and revealing that the pair are friends with a “long history together.”
According to ESPN, the Dolphins wide receiver said: “Me and K-Fitz, we’ve got a long history together.
“The news is something that I already knew. I told him don’t let this get to you. Just hold your head up. You’re still young. Continue to do what you love. Me and him are going to continue to work together.
“I told him I was going to cover his salary, whatever the NFL was going to pay him or whatever. I told him I was going to make sure that I do what’s right and take care of you, make sure you’re not out of a job. That’s my guy.”