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Deadspin | Canadiens, Cole Caufield shooting for goals against Panthers Jan 8, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images The playoff-bound Montreal Canadiens host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night and Cole Caufield has history to chase down. The Canadiens (45-22-10, 100 points) clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance on Sunday, despite having their eight-game winning streak snapped by a 3-0 loss to the visiting New Jersey Devils. Montreal’s ticket to the postseason was punched by virtue of the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon. “You wake up from your nap and you’ve clinched your spot,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “We didn’t have our fastball tonight, but it’s not like we didn’t play well. Our execution was off, but we had good structure.” While the playoffs have been secured, three Montreal players still have individual milestones hanging in the balance. The most immediate of which is Caufield, who has 49 goals. His next tally would make him the seventh player in franchise history to reach the half-century mark in goals and the first in 36 years. The last was Stephane Richer in 1989-90. Caufield’s next goal would also place him alongside Hall of Famers Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt, along with Pierre Larouche as Montreal Canadiens’ 50-goal scorers. Caufield had two golden opportunities on one-timers from the left circle for No. 50 in the third period on Sunday night within seconds of each other. But Devils’ goalie Jacob Markstrom quickly moved across the crease to stop both shots. “Coming to the rink, everyone was in a pretty good mood,” Canadiens’ captain Nick Suzuki said. “Our goal ever since we started camp was to get back in the playoffs, and we’ve secured that. But we’ve got big games ahead to try to get home ice and possibly first in the division.” Suzuki has 95 points (27 goals, 68 assists) and a chance to be the fifth different player in team history with 100 points in a season. He would join Lafleur (six times), Shutt (two), Peter Mahovlich (one) and Mats Naslund (one), who was the last to reach the mark in 1985-86. Defenseman Lane Hutson has 74 points (12 goals, 62 assists), six away from joining Hall of Fame member Larry Robinson (twice) as Montreal defensemen to reach 80 points in a season. The Panthers (37-37-3, 77 points) are coming off back-to-back weekend thrashings at the hands of the host Pittsburgh Penguins. Florida, which has also dropped five of seven, was outscored by a combined 14-6 in the two games. The score was 5-2 on Sunday. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs were also officially eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend. “Better than it was yesterday,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the Sunday loss. “Got behind it a little bit, but I don’t think we’d given a whole lot to get behind in that manner. Had some good penalty kills, some good action on the power play. Scored a goal. That’d be about it.” Carter Verhaeghe and Cole Schwindt scored Florida’s goals Sunday. “They were better than us,” Verhaeghe said. “They were just better than us through the whole game. I mean, last two nights, they’re a really good team. Tough playing them. But we obviously have to play better.” Panthers’ defenseman Dmitri Kulikov returned after missing two games with a broken nose. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Canadiens #Cole #Caufield #shooting #goals #Panthers

Deadspin | Canadiens, Cole Caufield shooting for goals against Panthers
Deadspin | Canadiens, Cole Caufield shooting for goals against Panthers Jan 8, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images The playoff-bound Montreal Canadiens host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night and Cole Caufield has history to chase down. The Canadiens (45-22-10, 100 points) clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance on Sunday, despite having their eight-game winning streak snapped by a 3-0 loss to the visiting New Jersey Devils. Montreal’s ticket to the postseason was punched by virtue of the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon. “You wake up from your nap and you’ve clinched your spot,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “We didn’t have our fastball tonight, but it’s not like we didn’t play well. Our execution was off, but we had good structure.” While the playoffs have been secured, three Montreal players still have individual milestones hanging in the balance. The most immediate of which is Caufield, who has 49 goals. His next tally would make him the seventh player in franchise history to reach the half-century mark in goals and the first in 36 years. The last was Stephane Richer in 1989-90. Caufield’s next goal would also place him alongside Hall of Famers Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt, along with Pierre Larouche as Montreal Canadiens’ 50-goal scorers. Caufield had two golden opportunities on one-timers from the left circle for No. 50 in the third period on Sunday night within seconds of each other. But Devils’ goalie Jacob Markstrom quickly moved across the crease to stop both shots. “Coming to the rink, everyone was in a pretty good mood,” Canadiens’ captain Nick Suzuki said. “Our goal ever since we started camp was to get back in the playoffs, and we’ve secured that. But we’ve got big games ahead to try to get home ice and possibly first in the division.” Suzuki has 95 points (27 goals, 68 assists) and a chance to be the fifth different player in team history with 100 points in a season. He would join Lafleur (six times), Shutt (two), Peter Mahovlich (one) and Mats Naslund (one), who was the last to reach the mark in 1985-86. Defenseman Lane Hutson has 74 points (12 goals, 62 assists), six away from joining Hall of Fame member Larry Robinson (twice) as Montreal defensemen to reach 80 points in a season. The Panthers (37-37-3, 77 points) are coming off back-to-back weekend thrashings at the hands of the host Pittsburgh Penguins. Florida, which has also dropped five of seven, was outscored by a combined 14-6 in the two games. The score was 5-2 on Sunday. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs were also officially eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend. “Better than it was yesterday,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the Sunday loss. “Got behind it a little bit, but I don’t think we’d given a whole lot to get behind in that manner. Had some good penalty kills, some good action on the power play. Scored a goal. That’d be about it.” Carter Verhaeghe and Cole Schwindt scored Florida’s goals Sunday. “They were better than us,” Verhaeghe said. “They were just better than us through the whole game. I mean, last two nights, they’re a really good team. Tough playing them. But we obviously have to play better.” Panthers’ defenseman Dmitri Kulikov returned after missing two games with a broken nose. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Canadiens #Cole #Caufield #shooting #goals #PanthersJan 8, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The playoff-bound Montreal Canadiens host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night and Cole Caufield has history to chase down.

The Canadiens (45-22-10, 100 points) clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance on Sunday, despite having their eight-game winning streak snapped by a 3-0 loss to the visiting New Jersey Devils.

Montreal’s ticket to the postseason was punched by virtue of the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon.

“You wake up from your nap and you’ve clinched your spot,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “We didn’t have our fastball tonight, but it’s not like we didn’t play well. Our execution was off, but we had good structure.”

While the playoffs have been secured, three Montreal players still have individual milestones hanging in the balance.

The most immediate of which is Caufield, who has 49 goals.

His next tally would make him the seventh player in franchise history to reach the half-century mark in goals and the first in 36 years. The last was Stephane Richer in 1989-90.

Caufield’s next goal would also place him alongside Hall of Famers Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt, along with Pierre Larouche as Montreal Canadiens’ 50-goal scorers.

Caufield had two golden opportunities on one-timers from the left circle for No. 50 in the third period on Sunday night within seconds of each other. But Devils’ goalie Jacob Markstrom quickly moved across the crease to stop both shots.


“Coming to the rink, everyone was in a pretty good mood,” Canadiens’ captain Nick Suzuki said. “Our goal ever since we started camp was to get back in the playoffs, and we’ve secured that. But we’ve got big games ahead to try to get home ice and possibly first in the division.”

Suzuki has 95 points (27 goals, 68 assists) and a chance to be the fifth different player in team history with 100 points in a season. He would join Lafleur (six times), Shutt (two), Peter Mahovlich (one) and Mats Naslund (one), who was the last to reach the mark in 1985-86.

Defenseman Lane Hutson has 74 points (12 goals, 62 assists), six away from joining Hall of Fame member Larry Robinson (twice) as Montreal defensemen to reach 80 points in a season.

The Panthers (37-37-3, 77 points) are coming off back-to-back weekend thrashings at the hands of the host Pittsburgh Penguins. Florida, which has also dropped five of seven, was outscored by a combined 14-6 in the two games.

The score was 5-2 on Sunday.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs were also officially eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend.

“Better than it was yesterday,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the Sunday loss. “Got behind it a little bit, but I don’t think we’d given a whole lot to get behind in that manner. Had some good penalty kills, some good action on the power play. Scored a goal. That’d be about it.”

Carter Verhaeghe and Cole Schwindt scored Florida’s goals Sunday.

“They were better than us,” Verhaeghe said. “They were just better than us through the whole game. I mean, last two nights, they’re a really good team. Tough playing them. But we obviously have to play better.”

Panthers’ defenseman Dmitri Kulikov returned after missing two games with a broken nose.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Canadiens #Cole #Caufield #shooting #goals #Panthers

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Jan 8, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The playoff-bound Montreal Canadiens host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night and Cole Caufield has history to chase down.

The Canadiens (45-22-10, 100 points) clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance on Sunday, despite having their eight-game winning streak snapped by a 3-0 loss to the visiting New Jersey Devils.

Montreal’s ticket to the postseason was punched by virtue of the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon.

“You wake up from your nap and you’ve clinched your spot,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “We didn’t have our fastball tonight, but it’s not like we didn’t play well. Our execution was off, but we had good structure.”

While the playoffs have been secured, three Montreal players still have individual milestones hanging in the balance.

The most immediate of which is Caufield, who has 49 goals.

His next tally would make him the seventh player in franchise history to reach the half-century mark in goals and the first in 36 years. The last was Stephane Richer in 1989-90.

Caufield’s next goal would also place him alongside Hall of Famers Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt, along with Pierre Larouche as Montreal Canadiens’ 50-goal scorers.

Caufield had two golden opportunities on one-timers from the left circle for No. 50 in the third period on Sunday night within seconds of each other. But Devils’ goalie Jacob Markstrom quickly moved across the crease to stop both shots.

“Coming to the rink, everyone was in a pretty good mood,” Canadiens’ captain Nick Suzuki said. “Our goal ever since we started camp was to get back in the playoffs, and we’ve secured that. But we’ve got big games ahead to try to get home ice and possibly first in the division.”

Suzuki has 95 points (27 goals, 68 assists) and a chance to be the fifth different player in team history with 100 points in a season. He would join Lafleur (six times), Shutt (two), Peter Mahovlich (one) and Mats Naslund (one), who was the last to reach the mark in 1985-86.

Defenseman Lane Hutson has 74 points (12 goals, 62 assists), six away from joining Hall of Fame member Larry Robinson (twice) as Montreal defensemen to reach 80 points in a season.

The Panthers (37-37-3, 77 points) are coming off back-to-back weekend thrashings at the hands of the host Pittsburgh Penguins. Florida, which has also dropped five of seven, was outscored by a combined 14-6 in the two games.

The score was 5-2 on Sunday.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs were also officially eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend.

“Better than it was yesterday,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the Sunday loss. “Got behind it a little bit, but I don’t think we’d given a whole lot to get behind in that manner. Had some good penalty kills, some good action on the power play. Scored a goal. That’d be about it.”

Carter Verhaeghe and Cole Schwindt scored Florida’s goals Sunday.

“They were better than us,” Verhaeghe said. “They were just better than us through the whole game. I mean, last two nights, they’re a really good team. Tough playing them. But we obviously have to play better.”

Panthers’ defenseman Dmitri Kulikov returned after missing two games with a broken nose.

–Field Level Media

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FIFA World Cup 2026 — SoFi Stadium workers request ban of ICE from tournament, threaten strike otherwise <div id="content-body-70832786" itemprop="articleBody"><p>A union representing about 2,000 food service workers at SoFi Stadium said ​on Monday it was demanding that FIFA keep U.S. Immigration ‌and Customs Enforcement away from World Cup operations ​in Los Angeles and warned workers could ⁠strike if their concerns are not addressed.</p><p>Unite Here Local 11, which represents cooks, servers and bartenders at the Inglewood venue, said ‌the workers remain without a labour contract as the World Cup approaches.</p><p>The union laid out three ‌main demands to FIFA and stadium owner Kroenke ‌Sports & ⁠Entertainment: a public commitment that ICE and ⁠Border Patrol will play no role in the tournament, protections for union jobs and working conditions, and support for affordable housing for hospitality ​workers.</p><p>Acting Department of Homeland ‌Security Director Todd Lyons has said that ICE would play a “key part” in the World Cup, a prospect the union said threatened worker and guest safety in ‌Los Angeles.</p><p>FIFA did not immediately respond to a ​request for comment. Representatives from SoFi Stadium declined to comment.</p><p>Local 11 said it also wanted ⁠assurances that artificial intelligence and automation would not be used during the tournament to eliminate union jobs.</p><p>The union linked ‌its labour demands to broader concerns over housing costs in the Los Angeles area, particularly in Inglewood, and called for support for a workforce housing fund, restrictions on short-term rentals and tax measures aimed at funding affordable housing and immigrant family protections.</p><p>“FIFA and its corporate sponsors ‌will pocket billions from Los Angeles while refusing to even acknowledge ​the cooks, servers, and stand attendants who make this event possible,” Kurt Petersen, co-president of ⁠Local 11, said in a statement.</p><p>The union said it had ⁠repeatedly sought meetings with FIFA since Los Angeles was chosen as a host city, but had ‌been ignored. Los Angeles is set to host eight World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium, the first being ​the U.S. against Paraguay on June 12.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #FIFA #World #Cup #SoFi #Stadium #workers #request #ban #ICE #tournament #threaten #strike

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Former World Anti-Doping Agency chief Craig Reedie dies aged 84 <div id="content-body-70832805" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Craig Reedie, the former World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president whose position on the Russian doping scandal a decade ago brought him into conflict with the IOC where he was a vice president, has died. He was 84.</p><p>The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed his death on Monday without stating the cause.</p><p>Reedie played key roles in London’s unexpected win in bidding to host the 2012 Olympics and in getting his own sport badminton on to the Olympic program for the 1992 Barcelona Games.</p><p>“Craig was my mentor, wise counsel, passionate advisor, and great friend,” said Sebastian Coe, who worked alongside Reedie in bidding for and organizing the London Summer Games.</p><p>“He was the distinguished elder statesman with a reservoir of Olympic knowledge and experience which he shared willingly and to great effect,” Coe wrote in a social media post on Monday.</p><p>Reedie’s standing in Olympic politics helped to elevate him to lead the global anti-doping watchdog in 2013, when the presidential nomination was effectively the turn of the IOC to decide.</p><p>Three years later, the lead-in to the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games was dominated by the scandal of learning the scale of Russia’s state-backed doping program at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.</p><p>The push by Reedie’s WADA to remove the entire Russian team from Rio was fiercely resisted by the IOC and its president Thomas Bach. Both men sat on the IOC’s 15-member executive board that ultimately decided to let governing bodies of Olympic sports decide their entry policy for Russian athletes.</p><p>The public pressure put on Reedie by influential Olympic figures continued for months until he and Bach met to clear the air. Since Rio, no Russian team has competed at an Olympics with its own country name, flag and anthem.</p><p>Current IOC president Kirsty Coventry said on Monday that Reedie’s contribution “to the Olympic Games, to clean sport and to the development of athletes worldwide will endure for generations to come.” “He was a steadfast guardian of integrity, guiding the global sporting community through some of its most challenging moments with dignity and resolve,” Coventry added in an IOC statement.</p><p>Coe described Reedie, a Scotsman who was knighted in 2006, as the “epitome of a gentleman.” “He was equal parts opinionated, wise, canny, and, most of all, loyal to those who legitimately wanted to serve sport,” the World Athletics president said. “He certainly did not suffer fools gladly, was authentic, and would speak his mind.” Reedie was elected as an IOC member in 1994 and became an honorary member in 2021.</p><p>The IOC said its flag would fly at half-staff for three days at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #World #AntiDoping #Agency #chief #Craig #Reedie #dies #aged

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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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