Deadspin | Bruins stand in way of Hurricanes sewing up Metropolitan Division Nov 17, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (71) attempts a shot against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images It has been a long time since the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes have seen each other. They’ll meet for the final time in the regular season Tuesday night in Raleigh, N.C. The Bruins and Hurricanes haven’t met since splitting a pair of November games in Boston, with the hosts winning 2-1 on Nov. 1 and the visitors prevailing 3-1 on Nov. 17. With one more point, the Hurricanes (49-22-6, 104 points) can clinch the Metropolitan Division for the first time since the 2022-23 season. They have won four of their last six games. The Bruins (43-26-9, 95 points) have lost three games in a row, including Sunday’s 2-1 overtime setback at Philadelphia. They’re still in good shape in terms of the playoff race, but they have work to do to secure a postseason spot. “I thought it was a huge point for us,” Boston coach Marco Sturm said. “I’ll definitely take that one.” Boston is 0-2-1 on a road trip that ends in Raleigh. The Bruins have scored a total of three goals in those games. Pavel Zacha scored the only goal for the Bruins on Sunday. Sturm said he’s a bit concerned about the total shot attempts after Boston was credited with 19 shots. “We’ve got to find ways,” he said. “We still pass up opportunities. I don’t know, for some reason.” Zacha said the Bruins need to be able to adjust. “I think now we’re looking now a lot for quality of shots instead of quantity,” Zacha said. “Sometimes when it’s not going our way, I think we have to kind of switch our mindset. Going to the net, shooting more pucks, we talk about it, we just don’t do it in the games yet.” A day off Monday has been sorely needed for the Bruins, who will have three more days off following Tuesday’s games. Sturm said the players need to be ready to take advantage of the situation. “This is the time to show up,” Sturm said. The Hurricanes lost 6-3 at Ottawa on Sunday. Carolina has played five straight games against playoff-bound or playoff-contending teams. “It’s a good test for what we’re going to see,” Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall said. “(These teams) have that desperation, and we’re going to have to match that in a couple of weeks.” Carolina captain Jordan Staal didn’t play Sunday because of undisclosed reasons, so his availability will be notable in advance of Tuesday’s game. Despite a rather dismal performance to end the weekend, the Hurricanes have continued to receive regular production from the line of Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake and Hall, who notched his 300th career goal Sunday. Stankoven’s 38 points match his total from last season. “That line’s been (a) bright spot all year, really,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “They’ve never really come off it. They’ve been pretty solid, and (Hall) was good again. Hallsy gave us a goal, too, at the end, not giving up. But we can’t win with just one line. We need to have other contributors.” First-year Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers has reached 65 points for his highest single-season total in his 11-year NHL career. Based on Carolina’s recent rotation, it should be goalie Brandon Bussi’s turn in the nets for the Hurricanes. He didn’t play in either previous game vs. Boston –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bruins #stand #Hurricanes #sewing #Metropolitan #Division

Deadspin | Bruins stand in way of Hurricanes sewing up Metropolitan Division
Nov 17, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (71) attempts a shot against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

It has been a long time since the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes have seen each other.

They’ll meet for the final time in the regular season Tuesday night in Raleigh, N.C.

The Bruins and Hurricanes haven’t met since splitting a pair of November games in Boston, with the hosts winning 2-1 on Nov. 1 and the visitors prevailing 3-1 on Nov. 17.

With one more point, the Hurricanes (49-22-6, 104 points) can clinch the Metropolitan Division for the first time since the 2022-23 season. They have won four of their last six games.

The Bruins (43-26-9, 95 points) have lost three games in a row, including Sunday’s 2-1 overtime setback at Philadelphia. They’re still in good shape in terms of the playoff race, but they have work to do to secure a postseason spot.

“I thought it was a huge point for us,” Boston coach Marco Sturm said. “I’ll definitely take that one.”

Boston is 0-2-1 on a road trip that ends in Raleigh. The Bruins have scored a total of three goals in those games.

Pavel Zacha scored the only goal for the Bruins on Sunday. Sturm said he’s a bit concerned about the total shot attempts after Boston was credited with 19 shots.

“We’ve got to find ways,” he said. “We still pass up opportunities. I don’t know, for some reason.”

Zacha said the Bruins need to be able to adjust.

“I think now we’re looking now a lot for quality of shots instead of quantity,” Zacha said. “Sometimes when it’s not going our way, I think we have to kind of switch our mindset. Going to the net, shooting more pucks, we talk about it, we just don’t do it in the games yet.”

A day off Monday has been sorely needed for the Bruins, who will have three more days off following Tuesday’s games. Sturm said the players need to be ready to take advantage of the situation.

“This is the time to show up,” Sturm said.

The Hurricanes lost 6-3 at Ottawa on Sunday. Carolina has played five straight games against playoff-bound or playoff-contending teams.

“It’s a good test for what we’re going to see,” Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall said. “(These teams) have that desperation, and we’re going to have to match that in a couple of weeks.”

Carolina captain Jordan Staal didn’t play Sunday because of undisclosed reasons, so his availability will be notable in advance of Tuesday’s game.

Despite a rather dismal performance to end the weekend, the Hurricanes have continued to receive regular production from the line of Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake and Hall, who notched his 300th career goal Sunday. Stankoven’s 38 points match his total from last season.

“That line’s been (a) bright spot all year, really,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “They’ve never really come off it. They’ve been pretty solid, and (Hall) was good again. Hallsy gave us a goal, too, at the end, not giving up. But we can’t win with just one line. We need to have other contributors.”

First-year Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers has reached 65 points for his highest single-season total in his 11-year NHL career.

Based on Carolina’s recent rotation, it should be goalie Brandon Bussi’s turn in the nets for the Hurricanes. He didn’t play in either previous game vs. Boston

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bruins #stand #Hurricanes #sewing #Metropolitan #Division

Sports news April 7, 2026

Nov 17, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (71) attempts a shot against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

It has been a long time since the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes have seen each other.

They’ll meet for the final time in the regular season Tuesday night in Raleigh, N.C.

The Bruins and Hurricanes haven’t met since splitting a pair of November games in Boston, with the hosts winning 2-1 on Nov. 1 and the visitors prevailing 3-1 on Nov. 17.

With one more point, the Hurricanes (49-22-6, 104 points) can clinch the Metropolitan Division for the first time since the 2022-23 season. They have won four of their last six games.

The Bruins (43-26-9, 95 points) have lost three games in a row, including Sunday’s 2-1 overtime setback at Philadelphia. They’re still in good shape in terms of the playoff race, but they have work to do to secure a postseason spot.

“I thought it was a huge point for us,” Boston coach Marco Sturm said. “I’ll definitely take that one.”

Boston is 0-2-1 on a road trip that ends in Raleigh. The Bruins have scored a total of three goals in those games.

Pavel Zacha scored the only goal for the Bruins on Sunday. Sturm said he’s a bit concerned about the total shot attempts after Boston was credited with 19 shots.

“We’ve got to find ways,” he said. “We still pass up opportunities. I don’t know, for some reason.”

Zacha said the Bruins need to be able to adjust.

“I think now we’re looking now a lot for quality of shots instead of quantity,” Zacha said. “Sometimes when it’s not going our way, I think we have to kind of switch our mindset. Going to the net, shooting more pucks, we talk about it, we just don’t do it in the games yet.”

A day off Monday has been sorely needed for the Bruins, who will have three more days off following Tuesday’s games. Sturm said the players need to be ready to take advantage of the situation.

“This is the time to show up,” Sturm said.

The Hurricanes lost 6-3 at Ottawa on Sunday. Carolina has played five straight games against playoff-bound or playoff-contending teams.

“It’s a good test for what we’re going to see,” Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall said. “(These teams) have that desperation, and we’re going to have to match that in a couple of weeks.”

Carolina captain Jordan Staal didn’t play Sunday because of undisclosed reasons, so his availability will be notable in advance of Tuesday’s game.

Despite a rather dismal performance to end the weekend, the Hurricanes have continued to receive regular production from the line of Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake and Hall, who notched his 300th career goal Sunday. Stankoven’s 38 points match his total from last season.

“That line’s been (a) bright spot all year, really,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “They’ve never really come off it. They’ve been pretty solid, and (Hall) was good again. Hallsy gave us a goal, too, at the end, not giving up. But we can’t win with just one line. We need to have other contributors.”

First-year Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers has reached 65 points for his highest single-season total in his 11-year NHL career.

Based on Carolina’s recent rotation, it should be goalie Brandon Bussi’s turn in the nets for the Hurricanes. He didn’t play in either previous game vs. Boston

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Bruins #stand #Hurricanes #sewing #Metropolitan #Division

RR vs MI, IPL 2026: Head-to-head record, most runs, wickets ahead of Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. <div id="content-body-70826437" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Rajasthan Royals face Mumbai Indians in its quest for the top of the table at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.</p><p>Royals are yet to lose a game, winning both their matches against the Chennai Super Kings and the Gujarat Titans by eight wickets and six runs, respectively. Mumbai Indians has endured a scratchy start to the season, winning its first match against Kolkata but going down against Delhi in its second.</p><p>Mumbai Indians dominated the fixture in the 2025 season winning the only game against Rajasthan Royals by 100 runs.</p><p><i>Ahead of the Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 match, here are some important statistics to know:</i></p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> RR vs MI head-to-head record: </h5><p> Matches played: 32 </p><p> Rajasthan Royals wins: 15 </p><p> Mumbai Indians wins: 17 </p></div><h4 class="sub_head">MOST RUNS IN RR vs MI IPL MATCHES</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Player</td><td> Innings</td><td> Runs</td><td> Average</td><td> Strike-rate</td><td> HS</td></tr><tr><td> Sanju Samson</td><td> 21</td><td> 640</td><td> 33.68</td><td> 145.12</td><td> 76</td></tr><tr><td> Jos Buttler</td><td> 10</td><td> 533</td><td> 59.22</td><td> 148.05</td><td> 100</td></tr><tr><td> Suryakumar Yadav</td><td> 12</td><td> 472</td><td> 47.2</td><td> 151.76</td><td> 79</td></tr><tr><td> Rohit Sharma</td><td> 25</td><td> 467</td><td> 18.68</td><td> 128.29</td><td> 58</td></tr><tr><td> Ajinkya Rahane</td><td> 14</td><td> 409</td><td> 31.46</td><td> 116.85</td><td> 68</td></tr></table></div><h4 class="sub_head">MOST WICKETS IN RR vs MI IPL MATCH</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Player</td><td> Innings</td><td> Wickets</td><td> Average</td><td> Economy rate</td><td> BBI</td></tr><tr><td> Jasprit Bumrah</td><td> 15</td><td> 19</td><td> 19.36</td><td> 6.34</td><td> 4/20</td></tr><tr><td> Dhawal Kulkarni</td><td> 14</td><td> 17</td><td> 23.64</td><td> 8.2</td><td> 3/18</td></tr><tr><td> Kieron Pollard</td><td> 16</td><td> 16</td><td> 22.31</td><td> 9.43</td><td> 4/44</td></tr><tr><td> Trent Boult</td><td> 10</td><td> 14</td><td> 21.92</td><td> 8.26</td><td> 3/22</td></tr><tr><td> Harbhajan Singh</td><td> 14</td><td> 14</td><td> 28.21</td><td> 7.74</td><td> 4/32</td></tr></table></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Headtohead #record #runs #wickets #ahead #Rajasthan #Royals #Mumbai #Indians

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">

mwasimuddin125 0

Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.

When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’

Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.

When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">

Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it. #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

mwasimuddin125 0

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.
The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.
The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.
That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.
On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.
Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.
But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.
I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.
One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.
In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.
There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.
I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.
Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

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