Legendary Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday.
“Lar-ry! Lar-ry! Lar-ry! Lar-ry! Lar-ry! Lar-ry! Lar-ry!” the crowd chanted as now Hall-of-Famer Fitzgerald took the stage to give his acceptance speech.
Fitzgerald is second all-time in receptions and receiving yards in the NFL, and leads the Cardinals in touchdowns. In his speech, he thanked Cardinals fans who showed up for him over the years.
“It's been 22 years and counting Arizona,” Fitzgerald said, “and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to replenish the well of goodwill I have been lucky enough to drink from.”
The 11-time Pro Bowler was drafted third overall by the Cardinals in 2004. In his speech, he highlighted the people and the hard work that got him there.
“There's never much traffic on the extra mile in life,” Fitzgerald said. “Bring others along with you. Don't just pursue excellence for yourself. Help others pursue it too.”
Ahead of his speech, Fitzgerald was introduced by his oldest son, Devin, who has followed in his father’s footsteps playing wide receiver, but for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Larry really thought we’d believe the surest hands in @NFL history would drop his bust 🤪 pic.twitter.com/5LOBwuWOM8
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 8, 2026
Fitzgerald spent his career raising awareness for breast cancer across the NFL. Fitzgerald’s mom died from breast cancer his freshman year at Pitt.
“Mom, you were the first champion I knew and the greatest one of all. You lost your fight with breast cancer,” Fitzgerald said. “But in the years that you lived, you taught me how to love. You showed me how to fight with integrity. You set the standard for our family and our community, and you always will be an example of a life well lived.”
Fitzgerald’s dad, Larry Fitzgerald Senior, a longtime Minnesota journalist, was supposed to present him for induction but passed away in June at age 71.
“My dad, who I lost recently, is also here in spirit. I can feel his presence,” Fitzgerald said. “He was the foundation of our family and the standard that I measured myself against. Dad, I know there were times where it must have felt like you were carrying the weight of the world, but you always showed up.”
Fitzgerald made the game winning catch to send the Cardinals to the 2015 NFC championship game and helped lead Arizona to its only Super Bowl appearance in 2009.
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