Deadspin | Duke early title favorite at 2027 Final Four in Detroit Duke and head coach Jon Scheyer are the favorites to win it all in 2027. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images INDIANAPOLIS — A national championship game and Final Four replete with transfer and freshman-filled rosters opens the door for plenty of surprises before the 2027 Final Four tips off in Detroit next April. Michigan restocked on the fly with transfers Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA) driving the Wolverines to an eighth national championship game appearance. Michigan also lured transfers in Nimari Burnett (Alabama, Texas Tech), Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State) who played significant roles for the 2025-26 Wolverines. Most Wolverines teammates thought he was crazy when Will Tschetter sent a group chat to tell teammates he had arranged to shoot at Michigan Stadium to prepare for the infamous cavernous backdrops at the Final Four. If Michigan can book a return trip to the 2027 Final Four, they might also be able to get a couple shots 42 minutes down the road in Detroit beforehand. As the 2026 edition wraps, Michigan (+800) follows only Duke — +700 at FanDuel — in oddsmakers early projections for the next Final Four. Lendeborg is a graduate student but the Wolverines are proven capable of competing at the championship level and head coach Dusty May has now been to a Final Four with two programs (FAU). Free agency — well, the transfer portal — in college basketball isn’t going away, which means programs’ expectations and bookmaker projections carry a higher level of volatility. Duke is expected to lose National Player of the Year Cam Boozer to the draft but has another stellar incoming recruiting class one year after on-and-done Cooper Flagg took the Blue Devils to the Final Four. Arizona’s top freshmen, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, are not locks to return and Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley is not easy to replace. But the Wildcats are third on the 2027 national title board at +1200 followed by 2025 national champion Florida (+1300) and 2025 runner-up Houston (+1400). Michigan State coach Tom Izzo expects the core of his roster to remain intact. That has the Spartans at +1500 narrowly ahead of UConn and Kansas (+1600). Maybe you aren’t quite ready to embrace the turnstile nature of roster-building in college basketball, but Michigan embraced the name tags required approach and put together an almost unbeatable team. “The way we choose to look at it, we’re going to bring in really, really good guys that are high achievers, that want to do it the way we want to do it,” May said. “And when the Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship last year and I’m friends with Coach (Mark) Daigneault and a lot of people in that organization. I wasn’t judging them because Shai Alexander was drafted by the Clippers or because they signed Isaiah Hartenstein as a free agent. I thought, “Wow, those guys played beautiful basketball, that’s a great team, that’s a real model for young players to watch, a group that obviously cared about each other, that played the game the right way, that represented their organization, their city, their families, their last name.’ “Whatever the rules are, we’re going to go at it, but our job is to put a competitive roster/team on the floor that represents Michigan the way we think they deserve to be represented.” –Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Duke #early #title #favorite #Final #Detroit

Deadspin | Duke early title favorite at 2027 Final Four in Detroit
Duke and head coach Jon Scheyer are the favorites to win it all in 2027. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

INDIANAPOLIS — A national championship game and Final Four replete with transfer and freshman-filled rosters opens the door for plenty of surprises before the 2027 Final Four tips off in Detroit next April.

Michigan restocked on the fly with transfers Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA) driving the Wolverines to an eighth national championship game appearance. Michigan also lured transfers in Nimari Burnett (Alabama, Texas Tech), Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State) who played significant roles for the 2025-26 Wolverines.

Most Wolverines teammates thought he was crazy when Will Tschetter sent a group chat to tell teammates he had arranged to shoot at Michigan Stadium to prepare for the infamous cavernous backdrops at the Final Four. If Michigan can book a return trip to the 2027 Final Four, they might also be able to get a couple shots 42 minutes down the road in Detroit beforehand.

As the 2026 edition wraps, Michigan (+800) follows only Duke — +700 at FanDuel — in oddsmakers early projections for the next Final Four.

Lendeborg is a graduate student but the Wolverines are proven capable of competing at the championship level and head coach Dusty May has now been to a Final Four with two programs (FAU).

Free agency — well, the transfer portal — in college basketball isn’t going away, which means programs’ expectations and bookmaker projections carry a higher level of volatility.

Duke is expected to lose National Player of the Year Cam Boozer to the draft but has another stellar incoming recruiting class one year after on-and-done Cooper Flagg took the Blue Devils to the Final Four.

Arizona’s top freshmen, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, are not locks to return and Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley is not easy to replace. But the Wildcats are third on the 2027 national title board at +1200 followed by 2025 national champion Florida (+1300) and 2025 runner-up Houston (+1400).

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo expects the core of his roster to remain intact. That has the Spartans at +1500 narrowly ahead of UConn and Kansas (+1600).

Maybe you aren’t quite ready to embrace the turnstile nature of roster-building in college basketball, but Michigan embraced the name tags required approach and put together an almost unbeatable team.

“The way we choose to look at it, we’re going to bring in really, really good guys that are high achievers, that want to do it the way we want to do it,” May said.

“And when the Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship last year and I’m friends with Coach (Mark) Daigneault and a lot of people in that organization. I wasn’t judging them because Shai Alexander was drafted by the Clippers or because they signed Isaiah Hartenstein as a free agent. I thought, “Wow, those guys played beautiful basketball, that’s a great team, that’s a real model for young players to watch, a group that obviously cared about each other, that played the game the right way, that represented their organization, their city, their families, their last name.’

“Whatever the rules are, we’re going to go at it, but our job is to put a competitive roster/team on the floor that represents Michigan the way we think they deserve to be represented.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Duke #early #title #favorite #Final #Detroit

Sports news April 7, 2026

Duke and head coach Jon Scheyer are the favorites to win it all in 2027. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

INDIANAPOLIS — A national championship game and Final Four replete with transfer and freshman-filled rosters opens the door for plenty of surprises before the 2027 Final Four tips off in Detroit next April.

Michigan restocked on the fly with transfers Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA) driving the Wolverines to an eighth national championship game appearance. Michigan also lured transfers in Nimari Burnett (Alabama, Texas Tech), Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State) who played significant roles for the 2025-26 Wolverines.

Most Wolverines teammates thought he was crazy when Will Tschetter sent a group chat to tell teammates he had arranged to shoot at Michigan Stadium to prepare for the infamous cavernous backdrops at the Final Four. If Michigan can book a return trip to the 2027 Final Four, they might also be able to get a couple shots 42 minutes down the road in Detroit beforehand.

As the 2026 edition wraps, Michigan (+800) follows only Duke — +700 at FanDuel — in oddsmakers early projections for the next Final Four.

Lendeborg is a graduate student but the Wolverines are proven capable of competing at the championship level and head coach Dusty May has now been to a Final Four with two programs (FAU).

Free agency — well, the transfer portal — in college basketball isn’t going away, which means programs’ expectations and bookmaker projections carry a higher level of volatility.

Duke is expected to lose National Player of the Year Cam Boozer to the draft but has another stellar incoming recruiting class one year after on-and-done Cooper Flagg took the Blue Devils to the Final Four.

Arizona’s top freshmen, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, are not locks to return and Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley is not easy to replace. But the Wildcats are third on the 2027 national title board at +1200 followed by 2025 national champion Florida (+1300) and 2025 runner-up Houston (+1400).

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo expects the core of his roster to remain intact. That has the Spartans at +1500 narrowly ahead of UConn and Kansas (+1600).

Maybe you aren’t quite ready to embrace the turnstile nature of roster-building in college basketball, but Michigan embraced the name tags required approach and put together an almost unbeatable team.

“The way we choose to look at it, we’re going to bring in really, really good guys that are high achievers, that want to do it the way we want to do it,” May said.

“And when the Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship last year and I’m friends with Coach (Mark) Daigneault and a lot of people in that organization. I wasn’t judging them because Shai Alexander was drafted by the Clippers or because they signed Isaiah Hartenstein as a free agent. I thought, “Wow, those guys played beautiful basketball, that’s a great team, that’s a real model for young players to watch, a group that obviously cared about each other, that played the game the right way, that represented their organization, their city, their families, their last name.’

“Whatever the rules are, we’re going to go at it, but our job is to put a competitive roster/team on the floor that represents Michigan the way we think they deserve to be represented.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Duke #early #title #favorite #Final #Detroit

Deadspin | Stan Wawrinka bows out and says farewell to Monte Carlo <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-900/28076059.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28076059.jpg" alt="Tennis: Australian Open" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Jan 24, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in action against Taylor Fritz of United States in the third round of the menís singles at the Australian Open at John Cain Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>At 41 years old, three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka is not interested in going on a ceremonial farewell tour.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>As he demonstrated at the 2026 Australian Open, when he became the oldest man since 1978 to reach the third round, the second-ranked Swiss player of all-time is going to fight until the last point is won or lost.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>On Monday, he lost a 7-5, 7-5 decision to Argentine Sebastian Baez in the Monte Carlo Masters and bid farewell to Monaco. He will retire at the end of the 2026 ATP season.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Wawrinka won his only ATP 1000 title over countryman Roger Federer on the clay in Monaco a dozen years ago.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“Of course these days and weeks are really, really difficult, but in the end it’s worth it,” Wawrinka said after the setback. “I’m passionate about the sport. I love what I do. I know it’s my last year trying to do the best I can. Hopefully I can win a few matches this year to enjoy that feeling of winning.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>“I managed at one point in my career to really reach the maximum I could by winning for four years, winning Grand Slams, winning Masters 1000s, winning other tournaments. But in the end, for me, it’s the love of the game and the passion that allowed me to do that every day consistently and have a goal.”</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Wawrinka got out to a 4-1 first-set lead, but dropped two of his next three service games and the opening set. He fell behind 5-1 in the second set, but, in typical fashion, did not give up, breaking Baez twice to even the proceedings. But the Argentine countered with a break and wrapped up the match on his serve.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Four of the five seeded players in action on Monday advanced to the second round. Only 12th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov fell, dropping a 7-5, 6-2 decision to France’s Arthur Rinderknech.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Tenth-seeded Flavio Cobolli of Italy outlasted Argentine Francisco Comesana, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3; No. 11 Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic got past Emilio Nava, 7-6 (1), 6-7 (8), 6-2; No. 13 Russian Andrey Rublev edged Portugal’s Nuno Borges, 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 and 16th-seeded Argentine Francisco Cerundolo knocked off Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, 7-5, 6-4.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>In other first round matches, Belgium’s Zizou Bergs defeated France’s Adrian Mannarino, 6-4, 6-3; Chile’s Cristian Garin overwhelmed Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi, 6-2, 6-4; Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic prevailed over Germany’s Daniel Altmaier, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, qualifier Alexander Blockx of Belgium upset Canada’s Denis Shapavalov, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3; Brazilian phenom Joao Fonseca dismissed Canada’s Gabriel Diallo, 6-2, 6-3 and Poland’s Valentin Vacherot rallied past Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Stan #Wawrinka #bows #farewell #Monte #Carlo

#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

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