As a teenager, Fitzgerald worked as aball boy for theMinnesota Vikings under coachDennis Green.[12][13] "You know just being around your childhood idols," Fitzgerald said in a 2015 interview. "Coach Green gave me an opportunity of a lifetime to be aroundCris Carter,Warren Moon,Joey Browner,Randy Moss, andRobert Smith. I can go on and on. To see their work ethic and dedication to their craft, that was really an eye-opening experience for a 14-year-old, 15-year-old. It was like on-the-job training almost."[14]
In his freshman season, Fitzgerald was an instant contributor. In the second game of the season against #20Texas A&M, he had ten receptions for 103 yards in the 14–12 loss.[19] Three weeks later, againstToledo, he had six receptions for 121 yards and his first two collegiate touchdowns in the 37–19 victory.[20] On November 2, Fitzgerald had another stellar outing against #3Virginia Tech with five receptions for 105 yards and three touchdowns in the 28–21 victory.[21] In the last regular season game on November 30, he had 11 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns against #24West Virginia in the 24–17 loss.[22] Pitt finished with an 8–4 record and qualified for a bowl game.[23] In the2002 Insight Bowl, Fitzgerald had five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown in the 38–13 victory overOregon State.[24] Overall, in the 2002 season, Fitzgerald had a Big-East conference leading 69 receptions for 1,005 yards and twelve touchdowns.[25][26]
Fitzgerald had a stellar sophomore season in 2003. He began the campaign againstKent State with six receptions for 123 yards and three touchdowns in the 43–3 victory.[27] In the next game againstBall State, he had seven receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns in the 42–21 victory.[28] Fitzgerald once again put out a great effort in the following game againstToledo with 12 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown in the 35–31 loss.[29] In the next game againstTexas A&M, Fitzgerald had his fourth consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards with seven receptions for 135 yards and three touchdowns in the 37–26 victory.[30] Two weeks later, againstNotre Dame, he was held under 100 yards for the first time but still had five receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns in the 20–14 loss.[31] Fitzgerald bounced back in the next game againstRutgers with eight receptions for a season-high 207 yards and two touchdowns in the 42–32 victory.[32] Fitzgerald's hot streak continued in the next game againstSyracuse, where he had eight receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the 34–14 victory.[33] Fitzgerald's performance against the Orange was his fourth consecutive game with at least two touchdowns.
Fitzgerald started the month of November with seven receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown in a 24–13 victory overBoston College.[34] In the following week against #5Virginia Tech, he had eight receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown in the 31–28 upset victory.[35] Fitzgerald added another great performance againstWest Virginia in the following week with nine receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the 52–31 loss.[36] In the following week againstTemple, he had seven receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers won 30–16.[37] Fitzgerald's performance against the Owls was his sixth consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards. Fitzgerald's impressive streak ended the following week against #10Miami with three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown in the 28–14 loss.[38] Despite having a season-low in yardage, Fitzgerald ended up recording his 12th consecutive game with at least one touchdown reception in the 2003 season, and 18th straight game with a touchdown reception dating back to the previous season. Pitt finished with an 8–4 record in the regular season and qualified for a bowl game.[39] In the2003 Continental Tire Bowl, Fitzgerald had five receptions for 77 yards againstVirginia in the final game of his collegiate career, a 23–16 loss. He was held without a touchdown for the first time in 18 collegiate games.[40]
Overall, Fitzgerald led the Big East conference with 92 receptions for an NCAA-leading 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns in the 2003 season.[41][42][43]
After his sophomore season, Fitzgerald was recognized as the best player in the NCAA with the 2003Walter Camp Award and theTouchdown Club of Columbus'sChic Harley Award, and as the nation's outstanding receiver in college football with the 2003Biletnikoff Award and the Touchdown Club's Paul Warfield Award. He was aunanimous All-American selection in 2003 and a runner-up for the prestigiousHeisman Trophy, given to the most outstanding player in college football;Oklahoma'sJason White won the award that year with 1,481 total points to Fitzgerald's 1,353.[44]
In just 26 games in his collegiate career, Fitzgerald caught 161 passes for 2,677 yards[45] and set a new Pitt record with 34 receiving touchdowns.[46] He was the first player in school history with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons,[47] and his 14 games with at least 100 yards receiving brokeAntonio Bryant's previous all-time Panthers record of 13.[citation needed] Fitzgerald's 18 straight games with at least one touchdown reception is anNCAA record.[48]
On July 1, 2013, Fitzgerald's #1 jersey was retired by the University of Pittsburgh. Fitzgerald was the ninth Pittsburgh player to receive this honor.[49] In 2021, Fitzgerald was ranked second on ESPN's list of the 50 greatest wide receivers of the past 50 years.[50]
Although Fitzgerald had played at Pitt for only two years withoutredshirting, he petitioned the NFL to allow him to enter theNFL draft, as he had left his high school, Academy of Holy Angels, during his senior year to attend Valley Forge Military Academy.[53] The NFL granted an exception to allow Fitzgerald to enter the draft, as Fitzgerald had convinced the NFL that the time he spent at VFMA, combined with his time at Pitt, was the minimum three years removed fromhigh school to make him eligible for the draft. Although formerOhio State running backMaurice Clarett was suing the NFL at the time to overturn the rule (a case Clarett initially won, but it was later overturned on appeal), the NFL considered Fitzgerald's case separate from Clarett's.[54]
After his tremendous sophomore year, Fitzgerald was selected third overall in the2004 NFL draft by theArizona Cardinals, whose then coach,Dennis Green, knew Fitzgerald from his time as a Vikings ball boy.[55] He was the first wide receiver to be selected in the 2004 NFL Draft. In addition, he was the first of six Pitt Panthers to be selected that year.[56]
Fitzgerald made his NFL debut against theSt. Louis Rams in the season opener on September 12. In the 17–10 loss, he had four receptions for 70 yards.[57] In the fifth game of the season on October 10, he had his first career touchdown reception, a 24-yard pass fromJosh McCown, against theSan Francisco 49ers.[58] On December 19, against the St. Louis Rams, Fitzgerald became the youngest player at 21 years and 110 days, to record at least two touchdown receptions in a single game.[59] His record has since been broken byAaron Hernandez of theNew England Patriots in 2010 andMike Evans of theTampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014.[60] He followed up his historic performance in the next game in Week 16 against theSeattle Seahawks, in which he had four receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the 24–21 loss.[61]
Fitzgerald finished his rookie year with 59 receptions for 780 yards and eight touchdowns as the Cardinals missed the playoffs with a 6–10 record.[62][63]
Fitzgerald started his second NFL season catching 13 receptions for a former career-high 155 yards and a touchdown in a 42–19 loss to theNew York Giants in the season opener on September 11.[64] Fitzgerald's season was strong throughout, finding the endzone in ten separate games and totaling seven games with over 100 receiving yards. Fitzgerald and the Cardinals missed the playoffs with a 6–10 record.[65][66]
In 2005, Fitzgerald led the NFL with 103 receptions for 1,409 yards, which ranked fourth in the NFL, and ten touchdowns, which ranked fifth in the NFL. He was named to his firstPro Bowl.[67][68] Fitzgerald teamed withAnquan Boldin to create one of the most productive wide receivertandems in the NFL. In 2005, Fitzgerald and Boldin became only the second tandem from the same team, the first tandem beingHerman Moore andBrett Perriman of theDetroit Lions in 1995, to each catch over 100 passes and top the 1,400-yard mark.[69][70][71][72]
Fitzgerald started his third NFL season with nine receptions for 133 yards in a 34–27 victory over theSan Francisco 49ers.[73] He had his first touchdown of the season in Week 3 16–14 loss to theSt. Louis Rams.[74] He sustained a hamstring injury and missed three games.[75] He returned against theDallas Cowboys on November 12 in a 27–10 defeat.[76] Two weeks later, he had 11 receptions for a career-high 172 yards against theMinnesota Vikings in a 31–26 loss.[77] He closed out the 2006 season with four receiving touchdowns in the last five games.[78][79][80][81]
Overall, Fitzgerald finished the 2006 season with 69 receptions for 946 yards and six touchdowns as the Cardinals finished the year with a 5–11 record.[82]
In the Cardinals' fourth game, Fitzgerald had ten receptions for 120 yards against thePittsburgh Steelers in a 21–14 victory.[83] In the next game, he had his first touchdown of the season against theSt. Louis Rams in a nine-catch, 136-yard performance in the 34–31 victory.[84] On November 11, he had eight receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns against theDetroit Lions in a 31–21 victory.[85] Two weeks later, he had nine receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers in the 37–31 loss.[86] In the regular season finale against the Rams, he had 11 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns in a 48–19 victory.[87] Fitzgerald and the Cardinals finished with an 8–8 record.[88]
As part of hisPro Bowlseason, Fitzgerald caught 100 passes for 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns.[89][90] Following the2007 season, he signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension with Arizona. While still under contract at the time, performance bonuses forced the team's hand into a massive extension.[91] Fitzgerald's numbers earned him the nickname "Sticky Fingers" and "The Best Hands in the NFL" in local media.[92]
The 2008 season marked a huge year for Fitzgerald in terms of individual accomplishment and team success. He totaled seven games going over the 100-yard mark, including two games eclipsing the 150-yard barrier. In addition, he had three games where he caught two touchdown passes.[93]
Fitzgerald finished the regular season with 96 receptions for 1,431 yards and a league-leading 12 touchdowns. For the first time in his career, the Cardinals finished with a winning record at 9–7 and won the NFC West, giving Arizona their first home playoff game since1947.[94][95]
In his playoff debut, Fitzgerald had six receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 30–24 victory over theAtlanta Falcons in theWild Card Round.[96] In theDivisional Round, he had eight receptions for 166 yards in the 33–13 upset victory over the second-seededCarolina Panthers.[97] During theNFC Championship for the2008 NFL season, Fitzgerald tied an NFL record with three touchdown receptions in a playoff game. His three touchdown catches occurred in the first half; he became the first player in NFL history to accomplish that feat in a conference championship game.[98] As a result of the 32–25 victory over the Eagles, Fitzgerald and the Cardinals represented theNFC inSuper Bowl XLIII.[99][100] During Super Bowl XLIII, Fitzgerald caught two touchdown passes in the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Fitzgerald had a 64-yard touchdown reception from Kurt Warner to go ahead 23–20, but the score did not hold as thePittsburgh Steelers scored a touchdown with only 35 seconds remaining to go ahead 27–23, which was the game's final score.[101][102][103] Fitzgerald set a single postseason record with 546 receiving yards,[104] 30 receptions,[105] and seven touchdown receptions,[106] surpassingJerry Rice's records of the1988–89 NFL playoffs.[107][108]
Fitzgerald followed up his great 2008 season by catching two more touchdown passes in the2009 Pro Bowl, earning him MVP honors.[109][110] After the Pro Bowl was over, it was revealed that Fitzgerald had been playing at least the whole postseason with a broken left thumb as well as torn cartilage in the same hand. It is speculated that Fitzgerald has had this injury since November 5, 2008, when he showed up on the injury report with an injured thumb.[111] After his record-breaking postseason, capped by his Pro Bowl MVP award, many analysts, includingNFL Network'sJamie Dukes, regarded Fitzgerald as one of the best receivers in the NFL.[112][113] He was named as a First-team All Pro for the 2008 season.[114]
In the fourth game of the season, Fitzgerald had five receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns in a 28–21 victory over theHouston Texans.[115] The following week, he had 13 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown in a 27–3 victory over theSeattle Seahawks.[116] On November 8 against theChicago Bears, he had nine receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a 41–21 victory.[117] On December 6, he had eight receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown in a 30–17 victory theMinnesota Vikings.[118] He finished out the 2009 regular season with a receiving touchdown in the last three games.[119][120][121] Overall, he had 97 receptions for 1,092 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns as the Cardinals went 10–6 and returned to the playoffs.[122][123]
In theWild Card Round, he had six receptions for 82 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions, both of which came in the third quarter, against theGreen Bay Packers in a 51–45 win.[124] However, the Cardinals were eliminated the next week by the eventualSuper Bowl XLIV championNew Orleans Saints by a score of 45–14 in theDivisional Round.[125] He was named to his third consecutive and fourth careerPro Bowl for his efforts in 2009.[126]
Fitzgerald started the 2010 season recording a go-ahead 21-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter against theSt. Louis Rams in a 17–13 victory.[127] On October 31, in Week 8, he had six receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns against theTampa Bay Buccaneers in a 38–35 loss.[128] On the season, he totaled three games with over 100 receiving yards. Fitzgerald and the Cardinals failed to return to the playoffs with a 5–11 record.[129]
Overall, in the 2010 season, Fitzgerald recorded 90 receptions, which ranked fifth in the NFL, for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns.[130] After the season, he was named to his fifth Pro Bowl, and his fourth in a row.[131] He finished ranked as the 14th best player in the league among his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[132]
On August 20, 2011, Fitzgerald signed an 8-year, $120 million contract with the Cardinals, tying him withRichard Seymour as the fifth highest paid player in the NFL at the time.[133]
Fitzgerald had a consistently strong season in 2011. He went over the 100-yard mark six times, including three games where he just missed the 150-yard mark. On November 13, in Week 10, he had seven receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns in a 21–17 victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles.[134] His efforts against the Eagles garnered him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.[135] A few weeks later, he had seven receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown against theSan Francisco 49ers in a 21–19 victory in Week 14.[136] The Cardinals finished with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs.[137]
Overall, Fitzgerald had another stellar season, catching 80 passes for 1,411 yards and eight touchdowns and setting a personal record of 17.6 yards per catch.[138] Fitzgerald's accomplishments were recognized by an All-Pro second-team selection as well as his sixthPro Bowl selection.[139] He finished ranked as the seventh best player in the league among his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2012 list.[140]
In the 2012 season, Fitzgerald had two games going over the 100-yard mark. One of which was In Week 3, when he had nine receptions for 114 yards to go with one touchdown and earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors against thePhiladelphia Eagles.[141][142]
Overall, on the season, Fitzgerald had 71 receptions for 798 yards and four touchdowns as the Cardinals went 5–11 and missed the playoffs.[143][144] He was named to his sixth consecutive and seventh careerPro Bowl.[145] He finished ranked 22nd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2013 list.[146]
Following the 2012 football season, Fitzgerald was named as the Cardinals' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and was one of three finalists for theWalter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.[147]
In the offseason, Fitzgerald turned 30.[148] He started the 2013 season with eight receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns against theSt. Louis Rams.[149] In the sixth game of the season, he recorded his first performance of the season topping 100 yards against theSan Francisco 49ers. In the game, he had six receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.[150] On November 24, against theIndianapolis Colts, he had five receptions for 52 yards and two touchdowns.[151] Two weeks later, Fitzgerald caught all 12 of his targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in a 30–10 victory over the Rams.[152] In the regular season finale against the 49ers, he had six receptions for 113 yards.[153]
Overall, on the season, Fitzgerald had 82 receptions for 954 yards and ten touchdowns as the Cardinals improved to a 10–6 record from the previous season of 5–11. However, they still missed out on the playoffs.[154] For his 2013 season, he was named to his seventh consecutive and eighth overallPro Bowl.[155] He finished ranked 38th by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list.[156]
Fitzgerald was a stable part of the Cardinals' offense in 2014. However, the lack of stability at the quarterback position put a hindrance on the team's overall performance as four different quarterbacks saw time for the Cardinals that year.[157][158] He started his 11th professional season against theSan Diego Chargers. In the game, he only had one reception for 22 yards.[159] He did not have his first touchdown of the season until the fifth game of the season against theWashington Redskins.[160] On October 26 against thePhiladelphia Eagles, he had seven receptions for a season-high 160 yards and a touchdown, which was a career-high 80-yard reception, to earn his third career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.[161][162] Two weeks later, he had nine receptions for 112 yards against theSt. Louis Rams.[163]
Overall, on the 2014 season, Fitzgerald had 63 receptions for 784 yards and two touchdowns as the Cardinals went 11–5 and returned to the playoffs.[164][165]
On February 18, 2015, Fitzgerald was signed to a new multi-year contract worth at least $11 million guaranteed over the next two seasons.[169]
In Week 2, in the 48–23 victory overChicago Bears, Fitzgerald had 112 receiving yards and caught three touchdown passes, the first time he accomplished the feat during the regular season in his career.[170] For his performance, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career.[171] In the next game, he had nine receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns against theSan Francisco 49ers.[172] On November 15, he had ten receptions for 130 yards against theSeattle Seahawks.[173] In Week 13, he became the youngest player to reach 1,000 career receptions;Dallas Cowboystight endJason Witten joined him the same day as the 11th and 12th players to reach this milestone.[174] He closed out the 2015 regular season with a receiving touchdown in the last two games against theGreen Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.[175][176] The Cardinals finished with a 13–3 record and won the NFC West.[177]
For the 2015 season, Fitzgerald had 109 catches, which was tied for fifth in the NFL,[178] for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns.[179] For his accomplishments during the 2015 season, Fitzgerald was selected to thePro Bowl for the ninth time. He was ranked 27th on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[180][181]
On January 16, 2016, Fitzgerald helped his quarterbackCarson Palmer record his first playoff win with eight catches for a franchise-record 176 yards in theNFC Divisional Round game against the Green Bay Packers in a Week 16 rematch. Fitzgerald was the Cardinals' entire offense in overtime, with a 75-yard reception to open overtime, and a five-yard touchdown reception from Palmer two plays later, which resulted in a26–20 win.[182][183] He was held to four receptions for 30 yards in theNFC Championship against theCarolina Panthers. The Cardinals' season ended with a 49–15 loss.[184][185]
On August 5, 2016, Fitzgerald signed a one-year, $11 million contract extension with the Cardinals.[186]
On September 11, 2016, Fitzgerald had eight receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, while becoming the 10th player to reach 100 career touchdowns, in the season-opening 23–21 loss to theNew England Patriots onNBC Sunday Night Football.[187][188][189] In the fifth game of the season, he had six receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the 33–21 loss to theSan Francisco 49ers.[190] On November 13, he had 12 receptions for 132 yards in another strong outing against the 49ers in a 23–20 victory.[191] The Cardinals finished with a 7–8–1 record and missed the playoffs.[192][193]
At the end of the 2016 season, Fitzgerald led the NFL in receptions for the second time with 107, and had 1,023 receiving yards with six receiving touchdowns.[194] He moved from 11th to 3rd on the all-time career reception list,[195] and ended the season ninth all-time in receiving yards.[196] He was named to his tenth careerPro Bowl.[197] He was ranked 45th by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[198]
With the retirements ofSteve Smith andAnquan Boldin at the end of 2016, the 34-year-old Fitzgerald entered the 2017 season as the career leader in receptions and receiving yards among active players.[199] In Week 3, onMonday Night Football, Fitzgerald had 149 receiving yards on 13 receptions, which tied his career high, and a touchdown in a 28–17 loss to theDallas Cowboys, his highest output in almost three years.[200] His 13 receptions tiedJarvis Landry's performance in Week 2 for the most receptions in a single game by any player in the 2017 season.[201][202] The next week, he caught a 19-yardsudden death touchdown from Palmer with 0:31 left in overtime to defeat theSan Francisco 49ers by a score of 18–15.[203] In Week 6, Fitzgerald had 10 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown in a 38–33 victory overTampa Bay, and 10 receptions for 113 yards in Week 10'sThursday Night Football 22–16 loss toSeattle,[200] joiningAntonio Brown as the only players with three games of 10+ receptions in 2017,[204] and briefly passing Brown for the league lead in receptions. On November 17, 2017, Fitzgerald signed a one-year contract extension with the Cardinals worth $11 million through the 2018 season.[205] In Week 13, against theLos Angeles Rams, Fitzgerald had 10 receptions, his fourth game in double digits, for 98 yards and his fifth touchdown in the 32–16 loss.[200] In Week 16, against theNew York Giants, he had nine receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. In addition, he completed a 21-yard pass in the 23–0 victory.[206] He tied his career-best with 109 receptions, finishing second to Jarvis Landry,[207] and finished eighth in the NFL with 1,156 receiving yards. On December 19, 2017, Fitzgerald was named to his 11thPro Bowl.[208][209] However, it was later announced thatDoug Baldwin of the Seattle Seahawks would replace Fitzgerald.[210] The Cardinals finished with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs.[211] He was ranked 27th on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[212]
In Week 1, Fitzgerald recorded seven receptions for 76 yards in a 24–6 loss to theWashington Redskins.[213] Nursing a sore hamstring, he failed to reach 50 yards in any of his next six games, and did not record a touchdown reception until a Week 7 45–10 loss to theDenver Broncos onThursday Night Football.[214][215][216] In Week 8, he had eight receptions for 102 yards with a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the 18–15 victory over theSan Francisco 49ers.[200] In Week 10, in a 26–14 loss to theKansas City Chiefs after recording six receptions for 50 yards, Fitzgerald reached 15,952 career receiving yards, passingTerrell Owens for second on the all-time list behind onlyJerry Rice.[217] In Week 11 against theOakland Raiders, Fitzgerald made two catches for 23 yards which were both touchdowns in the 23–21 loss.[218]
In Week 14, against theDetroit Lions, Fitzgerald set an NFL record for most receptions with one team with 1,282.[219][220] The gloves he used in that game and the ball he caught were sent to thePro Football Hall of Fame.[221] In Week 16, Fitzgerald threw the first touchdown pass of his NFL career, a 32-yard pass toDavid Johnson for the first Cardinals score in the eventual 31–9 loss to theLos Angeles Rams. In addition, Fitzgerald had six receptions for 53 yards.[222] He finished the 3–13 season as the Cardinals leading receiver with 69 receptions for a career-low 734 yards with six receiving touchdowns.[223] Fitzgerald was ranked 60th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2019.[224]
On January 23, 2019, Fitzgerald announced he would return for the 2019 season, and signed a one-year contract extension with the Cardinals.[225] In Week 1 against theDetroit Lions, Fitzgerald caught eight passes for 113 yards and one touchdown from rookie quarterbackKyler Murray in the 27–27 tie.[226] In Week 2, a 23–17 loss to theBaltimore Ravens, he had five receptions for 104 receiving yards for his first back-to-back games with over 100 receiving yards since Weeks 2–3 of the 2015 season.[227] In a Week 4 27–10 loss to theSeattle Seahawks, he passedTony Gonzalez for second-most career receptions in NFL history.[228] In the 12 games from Weeks 3 to 17, Fitzgerald averaged just 41.9 yards on 4.4 receptions for a total of three touchdowns, asChristian Kirk emerged in his second year.[229][230] The Cardinals finished with a 5–10–1 record.[231]
On January 15, 2020, Fitzgerald re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year deal worth $11 million.[232] On November 26, 2020, Fitzgerald was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus,[233] and was activated on December 8.[234] Overall, Fitzgerald appeared in 13 games in the 2020 season. He finished the season with a career-low 54 receptions for 409 receiving yards and one touchdown, which occurred in Week 15 against thePhiladelphia Eagles, as the Cardinals finished 8–8.[235][236]
On February 16, 2022, despite not officially stating that he was retiring, Fitzgerald admitted he was not planning on returning to play in the NFL.[237] Throughout Fitzgerald's NFL career, he caught touchdown passes from 16 different quarterbacks.[238]
It was announced that on September 7, 2022, that he was joining ESPN's Monday Night Countdown.[239]
Fitzgerald at the Child Development Center onIncirlik Air Base, Turkey, in 2006
Fitzgerald's father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., is a sportswriter for theMinnesota Spokesman-Recorder. When he covered Super Bowl XLIII, he was believed to be the first reporter to cover his own son in a Super Bowl.[288] Fitzgerald's mother, Carol, died of abrain hemorrhage while being treated forbreast cancer in 2003.[289]
In 2016, Fitzgerald completed his undergraduate degree with theUniversity of Phoenix, fulfilling a promise that he made to his mother to finish his education.[290] Since graduation he has become a paid spokesperson for the University of Phoenix.[291] Fitzgerald is an avid traveler and has visited nearly 100 countries.[292]
Fitzgerald has three sons, including Devin, also a wide receiver and an NCAA Division 1 prospect.[293] In July 2025, Devin committed toNotre Dame.[294]
Fitzgerald developed a friendship with Arizona politicianJohn McCain, and spoke at the memorial service for the U.S. senator and Presidential candidate held in Phoenix on August 30, 2018.[295][296]
On January 22, 2020, Fitzgerald bought a minority stake in theNBA'sPhoenix Suns to become a partial team owner.[297] Prior to his retirement, Fitzgerald was the second active NFL player behindAaron Rodgers to hold an ownership stake with a franchise in the NBA. He has developed a long-standing friendship with franchise ownerRobert Sarver since 2005,[11] with him getting more active and involved with the Suns since 2018.[298] His role with the franchise involves him being an advisor and resource for the Suns' business and basketball staff, as well as be a player advisor for both the Suns andPhoenix Mercury, theirWNBA franchise.[299] Fitzgerald continues to remain a part of the team's ownership following Sarver's year-long suspension from the NBA and later buyout of the team to new ownersMat Ishbia andJustin Ishbia, being one of three minority owners to keep all of their stakes with the team once the sale went through on February 7, 2023.[300] Later in 2023, Fitzgerald and Suns playerDevin Booker would become part-owners of a newpickleball team, formed as part of a 12-team expansion to Major League Pickleball.[301]
Fitzgerald is an activeventure investor, having invested in 40 to 50 companies as of October 2019. Fitzgerald turned his passion to see the world into a travel business that he operates, hosting trips in a number of areas around the world.[302]
Fitzgerald is an avid chess player and is the board member of First Move Chess.[303][304][305] He playedChess.com's BlitzChamps tournament, arapid tournament for NFL players[306] where he lost in the semifinals to the eventual championChidobe Awuzie.[307]
Beyond his football career, Fitzgerald is an avid golfer and has competed in numerous high-profile tournaments. He has played alongside professional golfers and celebrities in variouspro-am events.
Fitzgerald has been a frequent participant in theAT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, one of the most prestigious pro-am golf tournaments. In 2018, he made history by becoming the first African American amateur to win the event, partnering withPGA Tour professionalKevin Streelman.[308] The duo won the event again in 2020.[309]
Fitzgerald has competed in theAmerican Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament featuring athletes and entertainers.[310] He has also played atAugusta National Golf Club and has been actively involved in events promoting the sport.
In 2024, Fitzgerald was named an honorary co-chair of theU.S. Amateur Championship, recognizing his contributions to golf.[311] He also participated in the Golf4All Day event before the 20233M Open, which promotes inclusivity in the sport.[312] In 2025, he is set to compete in the WM Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-Am atTPC Scottsdale.[313]
Fitzgerald began as an analyst forESPN in September 2022, where he provides commentary and analysis throughout the NFL season. His coverage includes Monday Night Countdown, NFL Playoff coverage, and other broadcasts that expand on football insights.[317]
In September 2021, Fitzgerald partnered with Jim Gray and Tom Brady to host the ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast.[318] The weekly program covers news and moments from around the NFL.[319]
Fitzgerald established the “Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund” to help kids and their families by funding positive activities for kids during the summer and throughout the year, supporting kids and families in crisis and supporting health-related organizations that work with families.[320] One initiative the “First Down Fund” holds each summer are youth football camps inArizona andMinnesota.[321] In May 2014, Fitzgerald andLenovo provided five schools inMinneapolis and four schools inPhoenix Lenovo tablets and equipment to enable the children to gain access to technology.[322] The First Down Fund made a donation to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation to help refurbish a basketball court at Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Park. The court received new hoops, poles, backboards and benches. He partnered withRiddell to provide new helmets to 1,000 kids in the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation football program.[323]
Fitzgerald established the “Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund” in honor of his mother, who died ofbreast cancer in 2003. The organization offers support to causes that Fitzgerald's mother held dear, including educating urban youth aboutHIV/AIDS and breast cancer issues. He has served as an NFL spokesman for the league-wide breast cancer awareness initiative “A Crucial Catch” for three years and every October makes donations to breast cancer organizations based on his touchdowns and receptions during the month.[321]
In August 2012, he was honored with the 14th annualPro Football Weekly Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award for his community and charitable contributions.[321]Fitzgerald has made five USO tours to visit soldiers overseas and has raised financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. military.[323]
During the 2013 season, Fitzgerald was honored with theNFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award. The award was established to honor a leader in the sports industry whose life and family have been touched by cancer, and who encourages cancer research, prevention and treatment through awareness and philanthropy.[324]
In 2014, Fitzgerald was selected as the 2014Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Male Recipient, which was created in 1994 by the Rotary Club of Tulsa to recognize an influential male and female premiere athlete for their success in their sport and for being a positive role model who gives back to their communities.[325]
^Klis, Mike (February 9, 2009)."MVP to mend broken thumb".The Denver Post.Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. RetrievedSeptember 20, 2010.
^Urban, Darren (December 26, 2014)."A tale of four quarterbacks".Arizona Cardinals.Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. RetrievedAugust 21, 2019.
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