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Injured Salah expected to return for Liverpool before end of season Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is expected to play for the Premier League side again this season, with the club saying on Wednesday that the muscle injury he suffered is not as serious as initially feared.Salah came off during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury, which had threatened to end his season as well as his Anfield career, with the Egyptian set to leave at the end of the campaign.Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan had said Salah would need four weeks of treatment for a hamstring tear, effectively ending his season before the World Cup, but Liverpool confirmed it was a minor muscle injury.ALSO READ: Chelsea’s Mudryk appeals to CAS over four-year doping ban – Reports“Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season,” the club said in a statement.“The issue that caused his withdrawal has now been confirmed as a minor muscle injury.“It is, however, anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025-26’s conclusion and his departure from the Reds this summer.”Dubbed “The Egyptian King”, Salah is third on Liverpool’s all-time top-scorers list, with 257 goals in 440 appearances.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #Injured #Salah #expected #return #Liverpool #season

Injured Salah expected to return for Liverpool before end of season

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is expected to play for the Premier League side again this season, with the club saying on Wednesday that the muscle injury he suffered is not as serious as initially feared.

Salah came off during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury, which had threatened to end his season as well as his Anfield career, with the Egyptian set to leave at the end of the campaign.

Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan had said Salah would need four weeks of treatment for a hamstring tear, effectively ending his season before the World Cup, but Liverpool confirmed it was a minor muscle injury.

ALSO READ: Chelsea’s Mudryk appeals to CAS over four-year doping ban – Reports

“Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season,” the club said in a statement.

“The issue that caused his withdrawal has now been confirmed as a minor muscle injury.

“It is, however, anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025-26’s conclusion and his departure from the Reds this summer.”

Dubbed “The Egyptian King”, Salah is third on Liverpool’s all-time top-scorers list, with 257 goals in 440 appearances.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Injured #Salah #expected #return #Liverpool #season

Sports news , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is expected to play for the Premier League side again this season, with the club saying on Wednesday that the muscle injury he suffered is not as serious as initially feared.

Salah came off during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury, which had threatened to end his season as well as his Anfield career, with the Egyptian set to leave at the end of the campaign.

Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan had said Salah would need four weeks of treatment for a hamstring tear, effectively ending his season before the World Cup, but Liverpool confirmed it was a minor muscle injury.

ALSO READ: Chelsea’s Mudryk appeals to CAS over four-year doping ban – Reports

“Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season,” the club said in a statement.

“The issue that caused his withdrawal has now been confirmed as a minor muscle injury.

“It is, however, anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025-26’s conclusion and his departure from the Reds this summer.”

Dubbed “The Egyptian King”, Salah is third on Liverpool’s all-time top-scorers list, with 257 goals in 440 appearances.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

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#Injured #Salah #expected #return #Liverpool #season

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Deadspin | Blue Jays’ George Springer trending toward return vs. Red Sox <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-900/28810032.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28810032.jpg" alt="MLB: Cleveland Guardians at Toronto Blue Jays" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer (4) gets ready for batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Toronto Blue Jays could have George Springer back in the lineup Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game series with the visiting Boston Red Sox.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Blue Jays ended Boston’s three-game winning streak with a 3-0 victory on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Springer has been on the injured list with a broken left big toe. The injury was sustained when he fouled off a pitch on April 11 vs. Minnesota. </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Springer hit and ran again on Tuesday, and manager John Schneider said if all goes well he could be reinstated from the IL on Wednesday. He would stabilize the leadoff spot in the lineup as designated hitter.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Springer said he expects to still feel some pain in the toe for the next few weeks.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“I know it’s going to be there, and it is what it is,” he said. “My swing was in a good place, not bad for not being out there for a while. So I’ll take it for sure.” </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Springer was batting .185 with two homers and six RBIs at the time of his injury. He was a major factor in Toronto’s success last season when he batted .309 with 32 homers, 84 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He hit .284 with four homers and 10 RBIs in the postseason.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Boston is scheduled to start right-hander Brayan Bello (1-3, 9.00 ERA) on Wednesday. He is 3-6 with a 5.20 ERA in 11 career starts vs. the Blue Jays, including 0-2 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts against them in 2025.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>With Max Scherzer on the injured list with forearm and ankle issues, left-hander Eric Lauer (1-3, 6.75 ERA) is scheduled to start for Toronto. He is 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA in four career games (two starts) against Boston.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>Springer would be the second Blue Jay to return from the IL in two days. Right-hander Trey Yesavage pitched 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday to earn the win after starting the season on the IL with an impingement in his right shoulder. </p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“When you’re missing some key guys, it’s hard to form an identity on the fly or to try not to do too much on the fly,” Schneider said. “So as we get these guys back, you get a little bit back to normal and you get back to just what you’re used to doing.” </p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Boston stranded a runner at third base in both the first and second innings Tuesday and did not have a hit in the game after the fourth.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“I thought our best opportunities were early in the game,” said Chad Tracy, who lost for the first time in three games as the Red Sox’s interim manager. </p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“The at-bats the first couple of innings against Yesavage were pretty good. We had base runners, and it’s a spot against a guy like that where you’re looking to see if you can pop a two-out hit. After about the midway point of the third, he kind of settled in. And we didn’t do a whole lot after that.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>The Red Sox have been shut out three times this season. </p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Boston second baseman Marcelo Mayer went 1-for-3 Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to a career-best seven games. He is batting .429 (9-for-21) with three doubles and four RBIs during the streak.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #George #Springer #trending #return #Red #Sox

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Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders? The Browns have a starting QB favorite, per report <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In the minds of analysts and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/post/JtnVqLg_HT2w/reply/yNsYb-COWiaL">fans alike</a>, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams that nailed the 2026 NFL Draft.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Who will be under center for the Browns this season?</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at <em><a href="https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2026/04/how-deshaun-watson-emerged-from-minicamp-with-an-edge-over-shedeur-sanders-and-has-the-inside-track-to-be-named-qb1-mary-kay-cabot.html">Cleveland.com</a> </em>wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2022/6/16/22346818/deshaun-watsons-sexual-assault-allegations-explained">Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations</a> in recent years.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. <a href="https://rbsdm.com/">Courtesy of <em>RBSDM</em></a>, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Especially at quarterback.</p></div> #Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report

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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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