The Bite of 87 is one of the most infamous real-world incidents in Five Nights at Freddy’s lore. It refers to an attack at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza in 1987 that left a child critically injured. This article clarifies which individual was bitten, the circumstances leading to the bite, the immediate aftermath, and how the event shaped subsequent games and community speculation. We rely on developer statements, in-game cues, and contemporaneous sources to present a fact-driven account.
What the Bite of 87 Refers To
The Bite of 87 is shorthand for a violent incident that occurred at a Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza location in 1987 during a performance by the animatronic characters. Multiple sources within the games and developer commentary point to a child being attacked by an animatronic—most famously referenced in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and subsequent lore materials. The event is treated as a pivotal backstory element that explains increased security measures, missing children incidents, and the deteriorating reputation of the franchise.
Who Got Bitten: The Canonical Victim
Across in-game references, phone guy audio, and developer interviews, the canonical victim of the Bite of 87 is widely identified as Jeremy Fitzgerald, a night security guard at the location. While some materials allow for player-named avatars in older iterations, the prevailing canonical record points to Jeremy as the individual who suffered the bite. This identification aligns with later entries that expand on his role and survival of the attack. Alternative fan theories occasionally propose other children or employees, but core sources converge on Jeremy Fitzgerald as the primary figure.
In-Game Evidence Supporting Jeremy Fitzgerald
- Phone Guy mentions a bite incident involving an employee in later calls.
- Posters and newspaper clippings within the games reference an attack on a staff member.
- Developer commentary and supplementary novels confirm an employee-based victim.
Circumstances Leading to the Bite
The Bite of 87 did not occur in a vacuum. The animatronics were known to malfunction, and protocol lapses created opportunities for attacks. Multiple contributing factors escalated the situation:
- Malfunctioning servos allowed animatronic mascots to move unpredictably.
- Insufficient staff training left guards unprepared for aggressive behavior.
- Security blind spots in the pizzeria layout enabled close encounters.
- Reported prior incidents were downplayed or poorly documented.
Contributing Elements at a Glance
| Contributing Element | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Animatronic Malfunction | Servo systems failed during performance | In-game documentation |
| Staff Training Gaps | Minimal emergency response drills | Phone Guy recordings |
| Pizzeria Layout Flaws | Blind spots near stage and kid-safe zones | Facility blueprints |
| Prior Incident Reports | Earlier minor injuries not escalated | Internal memos |
Immediate Aftermath and Medical Response
Following the bite, emergency protocols were supposedly enacted, though their effectiveness is heavily questioned in later games. The victim was transported for medical care, but the incident’s severity was obscured by corporate messaging. Security footage and incident reports were either sealed or altered, contributing to the mystery. The aftermath directly influenced the redesign of safety measures in subsequent locations and the phasing out of certain animatronic models.
Reported Medical and Operational Response
- The victim received on-site care before being rushed to a hospital.
- Corporate teams arrived quickly to control the narrative.
- Incident logs were amended or destroyed in the following days.
- Facility upgrades were mandated but inconsistently implemented.
Long-Term Impact on FNaF Lore and Security Practices
The Bite of 87 rippled through the franchise, shaping security policies, location designs, and even character behaviors in later installments. It serves as a foundational trauma that explains the grim atmosphere of subsequent pizzerias and the recurring theme of children in danger. The event is referenced across multiple timelines, reinforcing its status as a canonical turning point rather than a peripheral anecdote.
Key Changes Triggered by the Bite of 87
| Change Implemented | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced animatronic behavior restrictions | Servo limits and movement locks added | Post-incident memos |
| Revised staff training programs | Emergency drills and escalation paths formalized | HR policy updates |
| Removal of certain animatronic models | Legacy suits retired from public areas | Facility inventories |
| Increased security camera coverage | New monitoring protocols in kid zones | Security system logs |
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Several myths persist around the Bite of 87, often fueled by ambiguous in-game text or speculative fan content. It’s sometimes conflated with later incidents or attributed to different characters. Clarifying these points helps maintain factual accuracy:
- The bite did not involve multiple victims simultaneously; records indicate a single individual was bitten.
- Jeremy Fitzgerald is the most consistently referenced name in core sources, not a generic “security guard.”
- The event occurred during a public performance, not during maintenance or after hours.
- While other locations had incidents, the Bite of 87 specifically refers to this 1987 franchise turning point.
Why This Incident Remains Relevant
Understanding the Bite of 87 is essential for grasping the tone and stakes of the Five Nights at Freddy’s series. It transforms the animatronics from simple game antagonists into elements of a darker, grounded mythology. The event’s consequences are felt in gameplay mechanics, narrative beats, and the ongoing mystery that surrounds the franchise. For both new and longtime fans, separating verified details from speculation clarifies how the series evolved and why certain themes persist.
Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways
The Bite of 87 involved Jeremy Fitzgerald being bitten by an animatronic during a 1987 performance at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The incident was triggered by mechanical failures, staffing gaps, and venue design flaws, and its repercussions reshaped security and lore across the series. While fan theories continue to emerge, core sources consistently identify Jeremy as the victim and the event as a critical pivot in the franchise’s history.