Jay Fiedler '94 donned a green-and-white jersey to play a football game for the first time in nine months Friday night.
But instead of playing for the Big Green, Fiedler was making his professional debut for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fiedler, who rewrote the Dartmouth record book during his three years as a varsity starter, stepped onto Soldier Field in Chicago for the fourth quarter of the Eagles 12-6 preseason loss to the Chicago Bears.
He had a fairly successful quarter, completing three of six passes for 40 yards. He was also sacked for an 11-yard loss.
Fiedler is competing with second-year quarterback Preston Jones for the third-string quarterback position.
An Eagles' spokesman said Jones did "fairly well," playing the second and third quarters. He completed six of 13 passes for 50 yards with an interception.
The Eagles signed Fiedler as an undrafted free agent in late April. If Fiedler makes the team, he will make $108,000 this year and $135,000 next year.
The Eagles will trim their rosters to 60 players on August 23, and make final cuts to get down to 53 players on August 28.
In an interview with The Dartmouth in July, Fiedler said he thinks he has a "very good" chance of making the team.
"They wouldn't have brought me here if they didn't think I could make it," he said.
"I think I just have to show the coaching staff that I can go out there and compete and play in a game situation at this level," he said.
In Fiedler's junior year, he led Dartmouth to the Ivy League championship, tossing for 2,748 yards with 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He was named Ivy League player of the year and led all Division I-AA schools in passing efficiency.
This year, Fiedler almost single-handedly led Dartmouth to three breathtaking, come-from-behind victories, in which he made plays that "were just unbelievable," Football Coach John Lyons said.
Mike Gilbert, a spokesman for the Eagles, said the Eagles like Fiedler's "strong arm and his presence and what he has accomplished at college."
Fiedler was not available for further comment yesterday.
