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Deadspin | Surging Knights visit scuffling Kraken as they battle for playoff position Apr 7, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights forward Nic Dowd (26) and forward Cole Smith (22) celebrate Smith’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images At this time of the season, a glance at the standings doesn’t always tell the full story. For example, take the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken — who are set to meet Thursday night in Seattle. The Golden Knights (36-26-16, 88 points), winners of four straight games since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as coach, are even with Edmonton in points atop the Pacific Division but are in second place because they have three fewer regulation wins. The Kraken (32-34-11, 75 points) are clinging to their Western Conference playoff hopes despite six consecutive losses — the last five by multiple goals — and a 1-8-2 record over their past 11 games. The Kraken are in seventh place in the wild-card race. Eighth-place Calgary, with 73 points, already has been eliminated. The Golden Knights are coming off a 2-1 victory Tuesday at Vancouver, the team that’s last in the NHL’s overall standings. “Good teams win those games. Teams that don’t get there in the end lose those games,” Tortorella said. “To me, it’s a good sign for the hockey club.” Fourth-liner Cole Smith scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, defenseman Brayden McNabb also tallied and goaltender Carter Hart made 10 saves. “We’re doing a really good job of going north, and I think when you do that, you stay out of your end, you don’t play defense, you don’t mess around with the neutral zone, and then you end up playing more offense,” said Golden Knights center Nic Dowd, who assisted on the winning goal. “And then, in my opinion, our (defensemen) are doing a great job of allowing our forwards to play offense by pinching, keeping pucks in, making us go north. I think it starts in our back end.” Tortorella said he was encouraged that the Golden Knights won with their top point producers — Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Pavel Dorofeyev, Ivan Barbashev and Tomas Hertl — all kept off the scoresheet. “On a night where it was just a grind, we just stayed with it and we got a goal by a defenseman, we get a goal by Cole Smith, which I think is a really good sign for our team, not leaning on the top guys all the time,” Tortorella said. “Just stayed with it and we checked forward most of the night, certainly wasn’t pretty … we found a way to win.” The Kraken have won both of their meetings with Vegas this season — 2-1 in Seattle on Oct. 11 and 3-2 on Jan. 31 in Sin City — with the teams also set to meet April 15 in Las Vegas. Seattle is coming off a 6-2 loss Monday in Winnipeg and a 5-2 defeat Tuesday at Minnesota. “It’s another loss, and it’s a 5-2 loss and another empty-net goal against, and I sit here and I say, ‘I thought we played a pretty good hockey game,'” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “And it’s like, ‘Really? You do?’ It’s another loss, but I do actually think we played pretty good (Tuesday). We out-chanced them and we just can’t get out of our own way.” A Kraken turnover led to Minnesota’s tying goal 38 seconds into the second period. Seattle later appeared to regain the lead, but it had a goal disallowed on video review because of goaltender interference. “I liked our first period, and then after that, I mean, we didn’t generate much,” said defenseman Brandon Montour, who scored one of Seattle’s goals. “Same stuff,” he continued. “Turnover at the blue line, odd-man rush goal. A guy backdoor by himself, goal. Spin around in the slot to a guy backdoor by himself, goal. Empty net. I guess you could say another easy one for the opposing team. Mental mistakes that obviously have been hurting us for the last little bit.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Knights #visit #scuffling #Kraken #battle #playoff #position

Deadspin | Surging Knights visit scuffling Kraken as they battle for playoff position
Deadspin | Surging Knights visit scuffling Kraken as they battle for playoff position Apr 7, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights forward Nic Dowd (26) and forward Cole Smith (22) celebrate Smith’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images At this time of the season, a glance at the standings doesn’t always tell the full story. For example, take the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken — who are set to meet Thursday night in Seattle. The Golden Knights (36-26-16, 88 points), winners of four straight games since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as coach, are even with Edmonton in points atop the Pacific Division but are in second place because they have three fewer regulation wins. The Kraken (32-34-11, 75 points) are clinging to their Western Conference playoff hopes despite six consecutive losses — the last five by multiple goals — and a 1-8-2 record over their past 11 games. The Kraken are in seventh place in the wild-card race. Eighth-place Calgary, with 73 points, already has been eliminated. The Golden Knights are coming off a 2-1 victory Tuesday at Vancouver, the team that’s last in the NHL’s overall standings. “Good teams win those games. Teams that don’t get there in the end lose those games,” Tortorella said. “To me, it’s a good sign for the hockey club.” Fourth-liner Cole Smith scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, defenseman Brayden McNabb also tallied and goaltender Carter Hart made 10 saves. “We’re doing a really good job of going north, and I think when you do that, you stay out of your end, you don’t play defense, you don’t mess around with the neutral zone, and then you end up playing more offense,” said Golden Knights center Nic Dowd, who assisted on the winning goal. “And then, in my opinion, our (defensemen) are doing a great job of allowing our forwards to play offense by pinching, keeping pucks in, making us go north. I think it starts in our back end.” Tortorella said he was encouraged that the Golden Knights won with their top point producers — Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Pavel Dorofeyev, Ivan Barbashev and Tomas Hertl — all kept off the scoresheet. “On a night where it was just a grind, we just stayed with it and we got a goal by a defenseman, we get a goal by Cole Smith, which I think is a really good sign for our team, not leaning on the top guys all the time,” Tortorella said. “Just stayed with it and we checked forward most of the night, certainly wasn’t pretty … we found a way to win.” The Kraken have won both of their meetings with Vegas this season — 2-1 in Seattle on Oct. 11 and 3-2 on Jan. 31 in Sin City — with the teams also set to meet April 15 in Las Vegas. Seattle is coming off a 6-2 loss Monday in Winnipeg and a 5-2 defeat Tuesday at Minnesota. “It’s another loss, and it’s a 5-2 loss and another empty-net goal against, and I sit here and I say, ‘I thought we played a pretty good hockey game,'” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “And it’s like, ‘Really? You do?’ It’s another loss, but I do actually think we played pretty good (Tuesday). We out-chanced them and we just can’t get out of our own way.” A Kraken turnover led to Minnesota’s tying goal 38 seconds into the second period. Seattle later appeared to regain the lead, but it had a goal disallowed on video review because of goaltender interference. “I liked our first period, and then after that, I mean, we didn’t generate much,” said defenseman Brandon Montour, who scored one of Seattle’s goals. “Same stuff,” he continued. “Turnover at the blue line, odd-man rush goal. A guy backdoor by himself, goal. Spin around in the slot to a guy backdoor by himself, goal. Empty net. I guess you could say another easy one for the opposing team. Mental mistakes that obviously have been hurting us for the last little bit.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Knights #visit #scuffling #Kraken #battle #playoff #positionApr 7, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights forward Nic Dowd (26) and forward Cole Smith (22) celebrate Smith’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

At this time of the season, a glance at the standings doesn’t always tell the full story.

For example, take the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken — who are set to meet Thursday night in Seattle.

The Golden Knights (36-26-16, 88 points), winners of four straight games since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as coach, are even with Edmonton in points atop the Pacific Division but are in second place because they have three fewer regulation wins.

The Kraken (32-34-11, 75 points) are clinging to their Western Conference playoff hopes despite six consecutive losses — the last five by multiple goals — and a 1-8-2 record over their past 11 games. The Kraken are in seventh place in the wild-card race. Eighth-place Calgary, with 73 points, already has been eliminated.

The Golden Knights are coming off a 2-1 victory Tuesday at Vancouver, the team that’s last in the NHL’s overall standings.

“Good teams win those games. Teams that don’t get there in the end lose those games,” Tortorella said. “To me, it’s a good sign for the hockey club.”

Fourth-liner Cole Smith scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, defenseman Brayden McNabb also tallied and goaltender Carter Hart made 10 saves.

“We’re doing a really good job of going north, and I think when you do that, you stay out of your end, you don’t play defense, you don’t mess around with the neutral zone, and then you end up playing more offense,” said Golden Knights center Nic Dowd, who assisted on the winning goal. “And then, in my opinion, our (defensemen) are doing a great job of allowing our forwards to play offense by pinching, keeping pucks in, making us go north. I think it starts in our back end.”


Tortorella said he was encouraged that the Golden Knights won with their top point producers — Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Pavel Dorofeyev, Ivan Barbashev and Tomas Hertl — all kept off the scoresheet.

“On a night where it was just a grind, we just stayed with it and we got a goal by a defenseman, we get a goal by Cole Smith, which I think is a really good sign for our team, not leaning on the top guys all the time,” Tortorella said. “Just stayed with it and we checked forward most of the night, certainly wasn’t pretty … we found a way to win.”

The Kraken have won both of their meetings with Vegas this season — 2-1 in Seattle on Oct. 11 and 3-2 on Jan. 31 in Sin City — with the teams also set to meet April 15 in Las Vegas.

Seattle is coming off a 6-2 loss Monday in Winnipeg and a 5-2 defeat Tuesday at Minnesota.

“It’s another loss, and it’s a 5-2 loss and another empty-net goal against, and I sit here and I say, ‘I thought we played a pretty good hockey game,'” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “And it’s like, ‘Really? You do?’ It’s another loss, but I do actually think we played pretty good (Tuesday). We out-chanced them and we just can’t get out of our own way.”

A Kraken turnover led to Minnesota’s tying goal 38 seconds into the second period. Seattle later appeared to regain the lead, but it had a goal disallowed on video review because of goaltender interference.

“I liked our first period, and then after that, I mean, we didn’t generate much,” said defenseman Brandon Montour, who scored one of Seattle’s goals.

“Same stuff,” he continued. “Turnover at the blue line, odd-man rush goal. A guy backdoor by himself, goal. Spin around in the slot to a guy backdoor by himself, goal. Empty net. I guess you could say another easy one for the opposing team. Mental mistakes that obviously have been hurting us for the last little bit.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surging #Knights #visit #scuffling #Kraken #battle #playoff #position

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Apr 7, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights forward Nic Dowd (26) and forward Cole Smith (22) celebrate Smith’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

At this time of the season, a glance at the standings doesn’t always tell the full story.

For example, take the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken — who are set to meet Thursday night in Seattle.

The Golden Knights (36-26-16, 88 points), winners of four straight games since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as coach, are even with Edmonton in points atop the Pacific Division but are in second place because they have three fewer regulation wins.

The Kraken (32-34-11, 75 points) are clinging to their Western Conference playoff hopes despite six consecutive losses — the last five by multiple goals — and a 1-8-2 record over their past 11 games. The Kraken are in seventh place in the wild-card race. Eighth-place Calgary, with 73 points, already has been eliminated.

The Golden Knights are coming off a 2-1 victory Tuesday at Vancouver, the team that’s last in the NHL’s overall standings.

“Good teams win those games. Teams that don’t get there in the end lose those games,” Tortorella said. “To me, it’s a good sign for the hockey club.”

Fourth-liner Cole Smith scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, defenseman Brayden McNabb also tallied and goaltender Carter Hart made 10 saves.

“We’re doing a really good job of going north, and I think when you do that, you stay out of your end, you don’t play defense, you don’t mess around with the neutral zone, and then you end up playing more offense,” said Golden Knights center Nic Dowd, who assisted on the winning goal. “And then, in my opinion, our (defensemen) are doing a great job of allowing our forwards to play offense by pinching, keeping pucks in, making us go north. I think it starts in our back end.”

Tortorella said he was encouraged that the Golden Knights won with their top point producers — Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Pavel Dorofeyev, Ivan Barbashev and Tomas Hertl — all kept off the scoresheet.

“On a night where it was just a grind, we just stayed with it and we got a goal by a defenseman, we get a goal by Cole Smith, which I think is a really good sign for our team, not leaning on the top guys all the time,” Tortorella said. “Just stayed with it and we checked forward most of the night, certainly wasn’t pretty … we found a way to win.”

The Kraken have won both of their meetings with Vegas this season — 2-1 in Seattle on Oct. 11 and 3-2 on Jan. 31 in Sin City — with the teams also set to meet April 15 in Las Vegas.

Seattle is coming off a 6-2 loss Monday in Winnipeg and a 5-2 defeat Tuesday at Minnesota.

“It’s another loss, and it’s a 5-2 loss and another empty-net goal against, and I sit here and I say, ‘I thought we played a pretty good hockey game,'” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “And it’s like, ‘Really? You do?’ It’s another loss, but I do actually think we played pretty good (Tuesday). We out-chanced them and we just can’t get out of our own way.”

A Kraken turnover led to Minnesota’s tying goal 38 seconds into the second period. Seattle later appeared to regain the lead, but it had a goal disallowed on video review because of goaltender interference.

“I liked our first period, and then after that, I mean, we didn’t generate much,” said defenseman Brandon Montour, who scored one of Seattle’s goals.

“Same stuff,” he continued. “Turnover at the blue line, odd-man rush goal. A guy backdoor by himself, goal. Spin around in the slot to a guy backdoor by himself, goal. Empty net. I guess you could say another easy one for the opposing team. Mental mistakes that obviously have been hurting us for the last little bit.”

–Field Level Media

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Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Ayush reaches quarters; Sindhu, Prannoy knocked out <div id="content-body-70841642" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Ayush Shetty registered another straight-games win to reach the quarterfinals but P. V. Sindhu and H. S. Prannoy were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, China, on Thursday.</p><p>The 20-year-old Ayush followed his opening-round upset of World No. 7 Li Shi Feng of China with a convincing 21-16, 21-12 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Chi Yu Jen, the player ranked 20th in the BWF Rankings, in 41 minutes.</p><p>Ayush will take on 2024 champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia for a place in the semifinals.</p><p>Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu went down 18-21, 8-21 to Chinese World No. 2 and two-time former winner Wang Zhi Yi in the Indian’s first event on the circuit in over two months.</p><p><b>READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/badminton/badminton-asia-championships-2026-ayush-shetty-enters-round-of-16-beats-li-shi-feng-indian-results/article70837318.ece" target="_blank">Ayush Shetty stuns World No. 7 Li Shi Feng to enter round of 16</a></b></p><p>Prannoy was ousted from the tournament after a 12-21, 19-21 loss to China’s Weng Hong Yang.</p><p>The mixed doubles duo of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also suffered a straight-games defeat.</p><p>Later in the day, Unnati Hooda, and the women’s doubles pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will be in action.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Indian Results (Round of 16)</h4><p><b>Women’s Singles:</b> [2] Wang Zhi Yi (CHN)bt P. V. Sindhu 21-18, 21-8</p><p><b>Men’s Singles:</b> Ayush Shetty bt Chi Yu Jen (TPE) 21-16, 21-12; Weng Hong Yang (CHN) bt H. S. Prannoy 21-12, 21-19</p><p><b>Mixed Doubles:</b> [4] Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei (MAS) bt Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto 21-13, 21-14</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #Badminton #Asia #Championships #Ayush #reaches #quarters #Sindhu #Prannoy #knocked

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Deadspin | Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers keep Hawks from clinching playoff bid <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28686773.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28686773.jpg" alt="NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dribbles between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Max Strus (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-116 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>James Harden put up 21 points on 6-of-23 field-goal shooting and Jarrett Allen netted 16 points for Cleveland (51-29), which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks (45-35), who failed in a bid to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Atlanta is one-half game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could fall out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Cavaliers have won four straight and six of the past seven, while the Hawks have lost two in a row.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Alexander-Walker produced 10 points in a frantic fourth quarter that saw the Hawks fall behind 105-87, then pull within two three times. On the last occasion, Kuminga hit two free throws to cut Cleveland’s advantage to 118-116 with 2:15 left, but Mitchell answered with four makes from the foul line.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Mitchell had 13 points and Harden added nine in the third when the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks 44-20 to take a commanding 104-87 edge. Cleveland used a 17-3 run spanning halftime, featuring 10 points from Mitchell, to go in front.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Atlanta went ahead for the initial time at 34-33 on Kuminga’s layup early in the second, then extended the gap to 67-60 at the break. Kuminga made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the first half.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Mitchell totaled 14 first-half points, including buzzer-beaters in the first and second periods, and Mobley had 16 points and nine rebounds before the break.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Mobley was aggressive from the start, posting 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter as Cleveland led 33-29. Johnson and Kuminga had six points apiece for the Hawks.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) missed his 10th consecutive game, but coach Kenny Atkinson hasn’t ruled him out for the final two regular-season contests.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Atlanta will be without backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) until at least late April. He was hurt when Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic committed a flagrant foul on April 1.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Donovan #Mitchell #Cavaliers #Hawks #clinching #playoff #bid

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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 #homePro 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

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

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai 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 BhaskerTiruppur 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 NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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