50 Facts About Justin Fields

Early Life and High School Achievements

Justin Fields' journey to becoming a professional football player began in Kennesaw, Georgia. His early years were marked by both challenges and triumphs.

1. 01Justin Fields was born on March 5, 1999, in Kennesaw, Georgia.
2. 02He attended Harrison High School, where he excelled in both football and baseball.
3. 03Fields was diagnosed with epilepsy during high school, a condition he has managed throughout his career.
4. 04Despite a season-ending injury in his senior year, he was still regarded as the highest-rated quarterback recruit for colleges in 2018 by ESPN.

College Recruitment and Career

Fields' talent was evident early on, making him a highly sought-after recruit. His college career saw him transferring from Georgia to Ohio State, where he truly shined.

5. 05Fields was ranked as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the 2018 recruiting class.
6. 06He initially enrolled at the University of Georgia but transferred to Ohio State University in January 2019.
7. 07At Ohio State, Fields led the Buckeyes to a 20-2 record and two consecutive Big Ten Championships.
8. 08He was twice named the Big Ten Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year and Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year.
9. 09Fields threw for 5,373 yards and 63 touchdowns in his two seasons at Ohio State.
10. 10He also rushed for 867 yards and 15 touchdowns during his college career.

College Awards and Records

Fields' time at Ohio State was decorated with numerous awards and records, showcasing his exceptional talent and leadership.

11. 11Fields won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award in 2020.
12. 12He was the MVP of the 2019 Big Ten Football Championship Game.
13. 13In 2019, Fields was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
14. 14He set a single-season passer efficiency rating of 181.43 in 2019, ranking third nationally.
15. 15Fields became the first quarterback in Big Ten history to win each of his first 13 games as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback.
16. 16Under Fields' leadership, Ohio State made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances for the first time in school history.

Transition to the NFL

Fields' transition to the NFL was marked by his selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and his subsequent debut with the Chicago Bears.

17. 17Fields was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears with the 11th overall pick.
18. 18In his NFL debut, Fields took the field on four plays against the Los Angeles Rams.
19. 19Despite being named the starting quarterback for most of the season, Fields' rookie season was marked by injuries and inconsistent play.
20. 20He threw for 1,870 yards and maintained a passer rating of 73.2 in his rookie season.
21. 21Fields suffered several injuries during his rookie season, including cracked ribs, an injured hand, and an ankle sprain.
22. 22Despite the injuries, Fields finished the season with 420 rushing yards, ranking No. 5 among NFL quarterbacks.

2022 Season and Beyond

Fields' second season in the NFL saw him capitalizing on his strengths, particularly his rushing ability, and facing new challenges.

23. 23In 2022, Fields rushed for 1,143 yards, becoming the third NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
24. 24He led the league in sacks taken at 55 and fumbles at 16 in 2022.
25. 25Fields showed ability as a passer, notching two four-touchdown games in the 2023 season.
26. 26The Bears showed signs of rebuilding under new leadership, but Fields' future with the team remained uncertain.

Trade to Pittsburgh Steelers

Fields' career took a new turn with his trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he faced new opportunities and challenges.

27. 27On March 16, 2024, Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
28. 28The Steelers declined the fifth-year option on Fields' contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season.
29. 29Fields was involved in a preseason quarterback competition with Russell Wilson before being named the starter due to Wilson's injury.
30. 30In his debut as a Steeler, Fields completed 17-of-23 pass attempts for 156 yards and added 57 rushing yards.
31. 31Fields scored his first touchdown as a Steeler on a five-yard pass to tight end Darnell Washington.
32. 32Through his first three starts with the Steelers, Fields completed 73.3% of his passes, averaging 6.9 yards per throw.

Comparisons and Performance Metrics

Fields' playing style and performance metrics have drawn comparisons to other dynamic quarterbacks, highlighting his unique abilities.

33. 33Fields' style of play drew comparisons with former Steelers quarterback/wide receiver Kordell Stewart.
34. 34This marked the first time in Fields' professional career where he led his team to three straight wins in the starting position.
35. 35Fields led Ohio State to the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
36. 36During his final year at Ohio State, Fields vocally supported the playing of the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
37. 37Fields' senior season with Ohio State was documented in the Netflix series QB:1 Beyond the Lights, season 2.

College Honors and Legacy

Fields' college career left a lasting legacy, with numerous honors and records that cemented his place in Ohio State history.

38. 38Fields was named the Big Ten Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year and Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year in both 2019 and 2020.
39. 39He was named the Sugar Bowl MVP in 2020.
40. 40Fields was a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Award in both 2019 and 2020.
41. 41He was named First-Team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media in both 2019 and 2020.
42. 42Fields was named Second-Team All-American by several organizations, including the Walter Camp Football Foundation and CBS Sports.
43. 43He set several records at Ohio State, including a single-season passer efficiency rating of 181.43 in 2019.
44. 44Fields was the MVP of the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game after throwing for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
45. 45He became the first quarterback in Big Ten history with 40 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns in the same season in 2019.

NFL Rushing Records and Future Outlook

Fields' dual-threat ability has set him apart in the NFL, with impressive rushing records and a promising future.

46. 46Fields suffered several injuries during his time with the Chicago Bears, impacting his performance.
47. 47He set the single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards while playing for the Chicago Bears.
48. 48Fields became the third NFL quarterback ever to have a 1,000-yard rushing season.
49. 49In 2021, Fields ranked No. 2 among qualified quarterbacks with a 10.1 Air Yards Per Attempt average.
50. 50Despite his current trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is reason to believe that Justin Fields will continue to be a dynamic and impactful player in the NFL.

Justin Fields: A Dynamic NFL Talent

Justin Fields' journey from high school standout to NFL quarterback has been nothing short of remarkable. His dual-threat ability, showcased through impressive passing and rushing stats, sets him apart. Fields' college career at Ohio State was filled with accolades, including Big Ten Championships and a Heisman Trophy finalist nod. Despite a challenging rookie season with the Chicago Bears, marked by injuries, Fields demonstrated resilience and potential. His 2022 season saw him rush for over 1,000 yards, a rare feat for quarterbacks. The trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 offers a fresh start, and Fields has already shown promise with consecutive wins. His versatility and determination make him a valuable asset, and fans eagerly await his continued growth and success in the NFL. Fields' story is one of perseverance, talent, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.