It’s an early start to the NFL preseason for the once-again rebuilding Arizona Cardinals. After a 3 and 14 season, a coaching change and the expensive release of its franchise quarterback, the new-look Cards will be on display Thursday, playing the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame game tonight in Canton, Ohio.
But the main attraction is this weekend when Larry Fitzgerald is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Fitz will not only go down as the best player in Cardinals history, he’ll also be remembered as one of the NFL’s greatest receivers. He played 17 seasons, all with the Cardinals, making the Pro Bowl 11 times. He ranks second all time in NFL receiving yards (17,492) and receptions (1,432) behind only Jerry Rice in those categories. He is sixth all-time in receiving touchdowns (121).
During a phenomenal postseason run, Fitzgerald led the Cards to their only Super Bowl appearance in 2009 and caught what could have been the game-winning touchdown, if it hadn’t been for a late Steelers comeback.
On the Dan Patrick Show this week, Fitzgerald was asked about what he might say in his induction speech.
“I think that it will draw emotions and people have told me it’s gonna be one of the most emotional things you’ve ever done. You’ve been playing for thirty years and this is the culmination–the greatest honor you could ever get, so it should be emotional, it should mean something.”
It’ll be bittersweet however. His father, Larry Fitzgerald Senior, a longtime Minnesota journalist, was to present him for induction, but passed away in June at age 71.
“Pops played a big role because none of it would have even been possible if it wasn’t for his sacrifices. He put me in positions around people that I could learn from and have some wonderful mentors and so his presence and his breadth of knowledge are all over my life.”
His son Devin Fitzgerald will now do the honor. The ceremony takes place on Saturday and also includes fellow PFHOF inductees Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinitieri and Roger Craig.
Fellow hall of fame receiver Randy Moss, who befriended Fitzgerald growing up as a ball bay with the Minnesota Vikings, broke the news to him back in February.
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