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There are players who capture the imagination and there are players who the fans just root for then there are the players who simply transcend the game both on and off the field and for the past 14 seasons and going into the 15th season we've had the pleasure of watching one of those players who transcend the game and that player is Larry Fitzgerald. I've been a fan of this team for almost 44 years and I've seen other teams have this player: Barry Sanders in Detroit, Walter Payton in Chicago, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, and Steve Young in SF, Tony Dorsett and Roger Staubach in Dallas, Lawrence Taylor for the Giants, Joe Namath for the Jets. The list goes on and on but before Fitz, we never really had that player. The player that gets fans in other cities talking. The player that the national media mention when talking about the all time greats. Frankly, I think Fitz is the greatest player this entire franchise has ever seen and it isn't even close.
And not only is Fitz a class act on the field but a class act off of it. Of course he has his detractors who bring up his alleged DV incident but reports on that are completely one sided as it has never been substantiated but even if it is true, he is human after all and is allowed to make mistakes and IMO he's made up for that one mistake in spades. Larry is unique. You never hear him talk the talk but he sure does walk the walk. Always humble and generous even to a fault as not only is he charitable in his own community but around the world as well. And speaking of around the world, Larry's pretty much been around the world and I don't think he'll be satisfied until he sees 100% of it.
What pains me is that this league does not promote him. With all of the controversy going on in this league with the protests, drugs, and incidents of domestic violence, Larry Fitzgerald should be the face of this league. I had a friend tell me that while he's an Eagles fan, if the NFL ever put out a player modeled logo a la Jerry West and the NBA logo, he always pictured Fitz on that logo. Now, that's respect. Believe me, if every player in this league was half of who Larry is, football would be considered America's pastime and not baseball.
I have my all time favorites in all 4 major sports: Bernie Parent(hockey), Julius Erving(basketball), Mike Schmidt(baseball), and football used to be Jim Hart but Fitz replaced him years ago and of all of my all time favorites, Fitz is the only one on my bucket list of players I'd love to meet. He is the one player in any sport that I will point my children to as a role model.
And finally, this is probably going to be Fitz's final season and if he doesn't get a Kobe Bryant type last tour, it will be a travesty. Believe me, when this season is over we're going to mourn this loss for a long, long time because we all, to a fan, know that it's unlikely we'll ever see someone like him again. Every home game needs to be Larry Fitzgerald day and when we get the inevitable announcement 5 years after Larry announces his retirement, I know we as fans are probably going to break records for attendance in Canton. I know I plan on being there. So, let's enjoy this final ride and hopefully we can make it a memorable one for Larry as he's made a lasting impression on us. I've never even considered getting a tattoo but if I ever did it would be the Cards logo with the number 11. It's been a privilege, an honor, and a blessing to see this man play and I know everyone here feels the same way but not only do I love this man as a player but as a man as well. God Bless you Larry. Everything you have coming, you've earned it.
And not only is Fitz a class act on the field but a class act off of it. Of course he has his detractors who bring up his alleged DV incident but reports on that are completely one sided as it has never been substantiated but even if it is true, he is human after all and is allowed to make mistakes and IMO he's made up for that one mistake in spades. Larry is unique. You never hear him talk the talk but he sure does walk the walk. Always humble and generous even to a fault as not only is he charitable in his own community but around the world as well. And speaking of around the world, Larry's pretty much been around the world and I don't think he'll be satisfied until he sees 100% of it.
What pains me is that this league does not promote him. With all of the controversy going on in this league with the protests, drugs, and incidents of domestic violence, Larry Fitzgerald should be the face of this league. I had a friend tell me that while he's an Eagles fan, if the NFL ever put out a player modeled logo a la Jerry West and the NBA logo, he always pictured Fitz on that logo. Now, that's respect. Believe me, if every player in this league was half of who Larry is, football would be considered America's pastime and not baseball.
I have my all time favorites in all 4 major sports: Bernie Parent(hockey), Julius Erving(basketball), Mike Schmidt(baseball), and football used to be Jim Hart but Fitz replaced him years ago and of all of my all time favorites, Fitz is the only one on my bucket list of players I'd love to meet. He is the one player in any sport that I will point my children to as a role model.
And finally, this is probably going to be Fitz's final season and if he doesn't get a Kobe Bryant type last tour, it will be a travesty. Believe me, when this season is over we're going to mourn this loss for a long, long time because we all, to a fan, know that it's unlikely we'll ever see someone like him again. Every home game needs to be Larry Fitzgerald day and when we get the inevitable announcement 5 years after Larry announces his retirement, I know we as fans are probably going to break records for attendance in Canton. I know I plan on being there. So, let's enjoy this final ride and hopefully we can make it a memorable one for Larry as he's made a lasting impression on us. I've never even considered getting a tattoo but if I ever did it would be the Cards logo with the number 11. It's been a privilege, an honor, and a blessing to see this man play and I know everyone here feels the same way but not only do I love this man as a player but as a man as well. God Bless you Larry. Everything you have coming, you've earned it.
