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Deadspin | Sunny Mehta returns to Devils as new general manager Apr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New Jersey Devils logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Sunny Mehta, who once served as director of hockey analytics for the Devils, was hired by New Jersey on Thursday to be its new general manager. Mehta, 48, had worked with the Florida Panthers since 2020 as an assistant general manager and head of analytics, helping them win the past two Stanley Cups. Per ESPN, Mehta will be in charge of all hockey operations. Head coach Sheldon Keefe and his coaching staff will be evaluated after the Devils missed the postseason for the second time in three seasons. “This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.” Mehta grew up in New Jersey and played high school hockey there, then worked as a musician, professional poker player and derivatives trader before working for the Devils from 2014-18. Metha fills the vacancy left by the dismissal of Tom Fitzgerald earlier this month. Fitzgerald, 57, is in the running for the same role with the Nashville Predators. Led by Olympic hero Jack Hughes, along with Jesper Bratt, Simon Nemec and Hughes’ brother Luke, the Devils face a July 1 deadline on whether to offer captain Nico Hischier a contract extension. Hischier has one year left on his seven-year, .75 million deal. Per PuckPedia, the Devils will have .18 million in projected salary cap space this summer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sunny #Mehta #returns #Devils #general #manager

Deadspin | Sunny Mehta returns to Devils as new general manager
Deadspin | Sunny Mehta returns to Devils as new general manager Apr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New Jersey Devils logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Sunny Mehta, who once served as director of hockey analytics for the Devils, was hired by New Jersey on Thursday to be its new general manager. Mehta, 48, had worked with the Florida Panthers since 2020 as an assistant general manager and head of analytics, helping them win the past two Stanley Cups. Per ESPN, Mehta will be in charge of all hockey operations. Head coach Sheldon Keefe and his coaching staff will be evaluated after the Devils missed the postseason for the second time in three seasons. “This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.” Mehta grew up in New Jersey and played high school hockey there, then worked as a musician, professional poker player and derivatives trader before working for the Devils from 2014-18. Metha fills the vacancy left by the dismissal of Tom Fitzgerald earlier this month. Fitzgerald, 57, is in the running for the same role with the Nashville Predators. Led by Olympic hero Jack Hughes, along with Jesper Bratt, Simon Nemec and Hughes’ brother Luke, the Devils face a July 1 deadline on whether to offer captain Nico Hischier a contract extension. Hischier has one year left on his seven-year, .75 million deal. Per PuckPedia, the Devils will have .18 million in projected salary cap space this summer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sunny #Mehta #returns #Devils #general #managerApr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New Jersey Devils logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Sunny Mehta, who once served as director of hockey analytics for the Devils, was hired by New Jersey on Thursday to be its new general manager.

Mehta, 48, had worked with the Florida Panthers since 2020 as an assistant general manager and head of analytics, helping them win the past two Stanley Cups.

Per ESPN, Mehta will be in charge of all hockey operations. Head coach Sheldon Keefe and his coaching staff will be evaluated after the Devils missed the postseason for the second time in three seasons.


“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”

Mehta grew up in New Jersey and played high school hockey there, then worked as a musician, professional poker player and derivatives trader before working for the Devils from 2014-18.

Metha fills the vacancy left by the dismissal of Tom Fitzgerald earlier this month. Fitzgerald, 57, is in the running for the same role with the Nashville Predators.

Led by Olympic hero Jack Hughes, along with Jesper Bratt, Simon Nemec and Hughes’ brother Luke, the Devils face a July 1 deadline on whether to offer captain Nico Hischier a contract extension. Hischier has one year left on his seven-year, $50.75 million deal. Per PuckPedia, the Devils will have $12.18 million in projected salary cap space this summer.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sunny #Mehta #returns #Devils #general #manager

Sports news

Apr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New Jersey Devils logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Sunny Mehta, who once served as director of hockey analytics for the Devils, was hired by New Jersey on Thursday to be its new general manager.

Mehta, 48, had worked with the Florida Panthers since 2020 as an assistant general manager and head of analytics, helping them win the past two Stanley Cups.

Per ESPN, Mehta will be in charge of all hockey operations. Head coach Sheldon Keefe and his coaching staff will be evaluated after the Devils missed the postseason for the second time in three seasons.

“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”

Mehta grew up in New Jersey and played high school hockey there, then worked as a musician, professional poker player and derivatives trader before working for the Devils from 2014-18.

Metha fills the vacancy left by the dismissal of Tom Fitzgerald earlier this month. Fitzgerald, 57, is in the running for the same role with the Nashville Predators.

Led by Olympic hero Jack Hughes, along with Jesper Bratt, Simon Nemec and Hughes’ brother Luke, the Devils face a July 1 deadline on whether to offer captain Nico Hischier a contract extension. Hischier has one year left on his seven-year, $50.75 million deal. Per PuckPedia, the Devils will have $12.18 million in projected salary cap space this summer.

–Field Level Media

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GT vs KKR Head-to-Head, IPL 2026: Stats, Most Runs & Wickets <div id="content-body-70869974" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Gujarat Titans will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. Gujarat will look for momentum winning and losing two matches each whereas Kolkata is yet to break its duck this season.</p><p>GT won the last encounter between these two teams by 39 runs at the Eden Gardens in the 2025 season.</p><p><i>Here’s their head-to-head record.</i></p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> GT vs KKR head-to-head record in IPL </h5><p> Matches played: 4 </p><p> GT won: 3 </p><p> KKR won: 1 </p></div><h4 class="sub_head">MOST RUNS IN KKR vs GT IPL MATCHES</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Batter</td><td> Innings</td><td> Runs</td><td> Average</td><td> Strike Rate</td><td> HS</td></tr><tr><td> Shubman Gill</td><td> 4</td><td> 185</td><td> 46.25</td><td> 146.82</td><td> 90</td></tr><tr><td> Venkatesh Iyer</td><td> 4</td><td> 125</td><td> 31.25</td><td> 138.88</td><td> 83</td></tr><tr><td> Rinku Singh</td><td> 4</td><td> 119</td><td> 39.66</td><td> 143.37</td><td> 48*</td></tr><tr><td> Vijay Shankar</td><td> 2</td><td> 114</td><td> –</td><td> 237.5</td><td> 63*</td></tr><tr><td> Sai Sudharsan</td><td> 2</td><td> 105</td><td> 52.5</td><td> 141.89</td><td> 53</td></tr></table></div><h4 class="sub_head">MOST WICKETS IN KKR vs GT IPL MATCHES</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Bowler</td><td> Innings</td><td> Wickets</td><td> Economy</td><td> Average</td><td> BBI</td></tr><tr><td> Rashid Khan</td><td> 4</td><td> 7</td><td> 8.62</td><td> 19.71</td><td> 3/37</td></tr><tr><td> Mohammed Shami</td><td> 3</td><td> 6</td><td> 6.75</td><td> 13.5</td><td> 3/33</td></tr><tr><td> Andre Russell</td><td> 3</td><td> 6</td><td> 9.4</td><td> 7.83</td><td> 4/5</td></tr><tr><td> Sunil Narine</td><td> 4</td><td> 4</td><td> 8.26</td><td> 31</td><td> 3/33</td></tr><tr><td> Alzarri Joseph</td><td> 2</td><td> 3</td><td> 7.25</td><td> 19.33</td><td> 2/27</td></tr></table></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 17, 2026</p></div> #KKR #HeadtoHead #IPL #Stats #Runs #Wickets

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Vaishali has worked hard, is confident now: coach Ramesh <div id="content-body-70872252" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Making history is probably easy for R. Vaishali and her brother Praggnanandhaa.</p><p>The siblings have achieved a few firsts as a duo and individually — the first to become Grandmasters and qualifying for the Candidates tournament.</p><p>The 24-year-old Vaishali, long in the shadow of her prodigiously talented brother, chose to make some history of her own after winning the women’s Candidates tournament on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian to do so.</p><p>She had endured a lean run in 2025 before finding form to claim the Grand Swiss title and book a spot in the Candidates. Following an epochal triumph in Cyprus, she will take on reigning champion Ju Wenjun of China for the Women’s World Chess Championship title later this year.</p><p>Vaishali’s long-time coach , R.B. Ramesh, is over the moon and told <i>Sportstar</i>, “Qualifying for the World Championship match is an amazing thing and I hope she’ll be able to win the title.”</p><p>Speaking about the Chennai GM’s loss of confidence last year, he said, “Yeah, she had some confidence issues earlier, especially after the Chennai GM tournament (last year), but she has been working hard on her game and is feeling much more confident now.”</p><p>The manner in which Vaishali played during the triumph in the Cypriot city of Paphos should stand her in good stead going forward. Often flying under the radar given her sibling’s achievements, Ramesh said, “Pragg and Vaishali have made peace with each other being very strong on their own terms. I don’t think Pragg’s performances have any negative impact on Vaishali anymore.”</p><p>He said Vaishali is very strong in attack and calculation skills and added, “Wish she can improve her time management a bit.”</p><p>Ramesh believes his ward has benefitted a lot from the support she gets from her family and feels she has a good chance at the World title.</p><p>More history beckons when Vaishali faces the Chinese with the prospect of becoming the first-ever Indian woman to win the World title.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 17, 2026</p></div> #Vaishalihas #worked #hard #confident #coach #Ramesh

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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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