Deadspin | Defending champ Justin Thomas among elite field at RBC Heritage Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after putting on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images The famed red and white lighthouse that overlooks Harbour Town Golf Links symbolizes the RBC Heritage and has become synonymous with a deep breath and a “vacation” vibe after the Masters. Juxtaposed with that, though, is the fact that the Heritage is in its fourth year as a PGA Tour “signature event” with a $20 million purse and no 36-hole cut. The post-Masters unwinding is reserved for an elite field of 82 that will tee off Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, eight are playing this week, excluding only Rory McIlroy after he went back-to-back at the Masters and Justin Rose, who withdrew after he came up short at Augusta once again. Some heavy hitters have won the past four tournaments. After Jordan Spieth won the 2022 event, the last iteration before the Heritage received its signature promotion, he lost a playoff to Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick in 2023. Scottie Scheffler captured the prize right after winning the Masters in 2024, and Justin Thomas beat Andrew Novak in a playoff last year. Thomas’ wife and first child, Molly, made the trip with him from Augusta to South Carolina. He knows the balance between taking Harbour Town seriously and spending time with family. “Molly is almost a year and a half, but last year was our first year having her here and she was so young,” Thomas said. “But it’ll be different this year. She’s running around. She’s doing more. Hopefully we’ll get some time to go to the beach, especially with how nice the weather is. I remember we actually, Sunday morning last year before the final round, we all went to the beach and let her play in the water, stuff like that.” Thomas tied for fifth the year before his victory at the Heritage and has shot in the 60s in 12 of his last 13 rounds at the course. The par-71, 7,213-yard Harbour Town track has undergone a restoration since last year, but Thomas described the updates as “very, very subtle tweaks” that keep the course’s character intact. “This golf course, I think, is pretty highly revered by everybody,” Max Homa added. “It’s such a funny change from last week. We heard a lot about the redos and things that changed — I guess not redo, but renovations, and it’s one of the rare (cases where) nothing has gotten worse, which is awesome.” Homa picked a fine week for his first top-10 of the season, closing the Masters with a 67 to tie for ninth. He has worked hard to put a disappointing 2025 season behind him. “Right around May of last year I knew that I had gotten through the really bad part, that it was probably going to take a minute to find a week where it started to move forward,” Homa said. “But pretty much all last fall I played really nicely and have kind of kept it going this year. I haven’t had high results, but the game has been quite good.” This could be the week for another victory for Jacob Bridgeman, who finished top-30 in the FedEx Cup playoffs last year as a relative unknown, then broke through in February to win the Genesis Invitational. No. 3 in the current FedEx Cup standings, Bridgeman is a South Carolina native and Clemson grad. “This one sort of feels like a home game to me, even though it’s about four hours away from my house,” he said. “I grew up playing junior golf at this course, playing the Junior Heritage, and then I got to play in my first Heritage last year. Coming back is amazing.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Defending #champ #Justin #Thomas #among #elite #field #RBC #Heritage

Deadspin | Defending champ Justin Thomas among elite field at RBC Heritage
Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after putting on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The famed red and white lighthouse that overlooks Harbour Town Golf Links symbolizes the RBC Heritage and has become synonymous with a deep breath and a “vacation” vibe after the Masters.

Juxtaposed with that, though, is the fact that the Heritage is in its fourth year as a PGA Tour “signature event” with a $20 million purse and no 36-hole cut. The post-Masters unwinding is reserved for an elite field of 82 that will tee off Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, eight are playing this week, excluding only Rory McIlroy after he went back-to-back at the Masters and Justin Rose, who withdrew after he came up short at Augusta once again.

Some heavy hitters have won the past four tournaments. After Jordan Spieth won the 2022 event, the last iteration before the Heritage received its signature promotion, he lost a playoff to Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick in 2023. Scottie Scheffler captured the prize right after winning the Masters in 2024, and Justin Thomas beat Andrew Novak in a playoff last year.

Thomas’ wife and first child, Molly, made the trip with him from Augusta to South Carolina. He knows the balance between taking Harbour Town seriously and spending time with family.

“Molly is almost a year and a half, but last year was our first year having her here and she was so young,” Thomas said. “But it’ll be different this year. She’s running around. She’s doing more. Hopefully we’ll get some time to go to the beach, especially with how nice the weather is. I remember we actually, Sunday morning last year before the final round, we all went to the beach and let her play in the water, stuff like that.”

Thomas tied for fifth the year before his victory at the Heritage and has shot in the 60s in 12 of his last 13 rounds at the course.

The par-71, 7,213-yard Harbour Town track has undergone a restoration since last year, but Thomas described the updates as “very, very subtle tweaks” that keep the course’s character intact.

“This golf course, I think, is pretty highly revered by everybody,” Max Homa added. “It’s such a funny change from last week. We heard a lot about the redos and things that changed — I guess not redo, but renovations, and it’s one of the rare (cases where) nothing has gotten worse, which is awesome.”

Homa picked a fine week for his first top-10 of the season, closing the Masters with a 67 to tie for ninth. He has worked hard to put a disappointing 2025 season behind him.

“Right around May of last year I knew that I had gotten through the really bad part, that it was probably going to take a minute to find a week where it started to move forward,” Homa said. “But pretty much all last fall I played really nicely and have kind of kept it going this year. I haven’t had high results, but the game has been quite good.”

This could be the week for another victory for Jacob Bridgeman, who finished top-30 in the FedEx Cup playoffs last year as a relative unknown, then broke through in February to win the Genesis Invitational. No. 3 in the current FedEx Cup standings, Bridgeman is a South Carolina native and Clemson grad.

“This one sort of feels like a home game to me, even though it’s about four hours away from my house,” he said. “I grew up playing junior golf at this course, playing the Junior Heritage, and then I got to play in my first Heritage last year. Coming back is amazing.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Defending #champ #Justin #Thomas #among #elite #field #RBC #Heritage

Sports news April 15, 2026

Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after putting on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The famed red and white lighthouse that overlooks Harbour Town Golf Links symbolizes the RBC Heritage and has become synonymous with a deep breath and a “vacation” vibe after the Masters.

Juxtaposed with that, though, is the fact that the Heritage is in its fourth year as a PGA Tour “signature event” with a $20 million purse and no 36-hole cut. The post-Masters unwinding is reserved for an elite field of 82 that will tee off Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, eight are playing this week, excluding only Rory McIlroy after he went back-to-back at the Masters and Justin Rose, who withdrew after he came up short at Augusta once again.

Some heavy hitters have won the past four tournaments. After Jordan Spieth won the 2022 event, the last iteration before the Heritage received its signature promotion, he lost a playoff to Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick in 2023. Scottie Scheffler captured the prize right after winning the Masters in 2024, and Justin Thomas beat Andrew Novak in a playoff last year.

Thomas’ wife and first child, Molly, made the trip with him from Augusta to South Carolina. He knows the balance between taking Harbour Town seriously and spending time with family.

“Molly is almost a year and a half, but last year was our first year having her here and she was so young,” Thomas said. “But it’ll be different this year. She’s running around. She’s doing more. Hopefully we’ll get some time to go to the beach, especially with how nice the weather is. I remember we actually, Sunday morning last year before the final round, we all went to the beach and let her play in the water, stuff like that.”

Thomas tied for fifth the year before his victory at the Heritage and has shot in the 60s in 12 of his last 13 rounds at the course.

The par-71, 7,213-yard Harbour Town track has undergone a restoration since last year, but Thomas described the updates as “very, very subtle tweaks” that keep the course’s character intact.

“This golf course, I think, is pretty highly revered by everybody,” Max Homa added. “It’s such a funny change from last week. We heard a lot about the redos and things that changed — I guess not redo, but renovations, and it’s one of the rare (cases where) nothing has gotten worse, which is awesome.”

Homa picked a fine week for his first top-10 of the season, closing the Masters with a 67 to tie for ninth. He has worked hard to put a disappointing 2025 season behind him.

“Right around May of last year I knew that I had gotten through the really bad part, that it was probably going to take a minute to find a week where it started to move forward,” Homa said. “But pretty much all last fall I played really nicely and have kind of kept it going this year. I haven’t had high results, but the game has been quite good.”

This could be the week for another victory for Jacob Bridgeman, who finished top-30 in the FedEx Cup playoffs last year as a relative unknown, then broke through in February to win the Genesis Invitational. No. 3 in the current FedEx Cup standings, Bridgeman is a South Carolina native and Clemson grad.

“This one sort of feels like a home game to me, even though it’s about four hours away from my house,” he said. “I grew up playing junior golf at this course, playing the Junior Heritage, and then I got to play in my first Heritage last year. Coming back is amazing.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Defending #champ #Justin #Thomas #among #elite #field #RBC #Heritage

Carnell Tate is the NFL Draft’s next star WR from Ohio State, and he wants to play with another Buckeye <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Ohio State University.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I’m hardly a fan or an alum, but nicknames belong to the people who they belong to. There is no “the” for any other university. There is only The Ohio State University.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">When it comes to the Buckeyes there is also something else that they are known for… elite wide receivers. Recent history has seen the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. take over the NFL. Emeka Egbuka is on his way, and Terry McLaurin is still playing at an elite level. You get the point. The Buckeyes have a knack for this.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Up next from tOSU is Carnell Tate. Next week will see a team pin all of their hopes and dreams to Tate in the hopes of him transforming their offense the way that many of these other receivers did.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Recently we here at SB Nation had a chance to talk to Carnell and I asked him about the thought of linking up with one of those Buckeye greats in the pros. I am talking about Garrett Wilson and the New York Jets specifically here.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Many mock drafts have the Jets taking Carnell Tate. It sure would be something to see him running opposite of Wilson with Geno Smith at quarterback (that last bit is something that would probably change by Tate’s sophomore season).</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">To be clear, Tate noted that he is more than content with wherever he winds up. He had a very relaxed disposition about him.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Some would say that Carnell had a <em>chill </em>manner about him as a matter of fact. This makes sense given his recent work with SNICKERS Ice Cream ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I’ve had these ice cream bars myself and can vouch for their greatness. The good news is that anybody can have them, too. Carnell made sure of that.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">You can also see that Carnell is wearing quite the SNICKERS Ice Cream chain. He’ll be rocking it ahead of the NFL draft, too. Fans can have a chance to win Carnell’s ultimate draft-day flex, the SNICKERS Ice Cream CHILL Chain, at the same website from now through April 27th at 5pm ET. Fans who claim a 6-pack of the CHILL bars will automatically be entered for a chance to win, too.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Best of luck to everyone. Especially to Carnell Tate!</p></div> #Carnell #Tate #NFL #Drafts #star #Ohio #State #play #Buckeye

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

mwasimuddin125 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

mwasimuddin125 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">