Deadspin | FURIA, Team Falcons riding high going into IEM Rio playoffs YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year. Team Falcons and FURIA earned byes to the semifinals with group-stage victories on Wednesday at the $300,000 Intel Extreme Masters Rio event in Brazil. MOUZ, Team Spirit, Team Vitality and Natus Vincere also made the quarterfinals on Friday in Rio de Janeiro. Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams are competing in this week’s competition for a top prize of $125,000. The double-elimination group stage began with two groups of eight teams, with all matches best-of-three. The group winners advanced to the playoff semifinals, with the group runners-up entering the quarterfinals as high seeds and the third-place teams entering the quarterfinals as low seeds. The single-elimination playoffs start Friday with all matches best-of-three until Sunday’s best-of-five grand final. Team Falcons edged Team Vitality 2-1 in the Group A upper-bracket final on Wednesday. Falcons won 13-10 on Mirage, then Vitality drew even with a 13-6 decision on Dust II before the Falcons took the match with a 16-14 victory on Nuke. Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov of Russia was the player of the match, pacing the Falcons with a 59-45 kill-death differential. Team Spirit topped RED Canids 2-1 in one Group A lower-bracket semifinal. After Canids opened with a 13-8 win on Mirage, Spirit rallied with a 13-8 victory on Ancient and a 13-2 rout on Overpass to take the match. Russia’s Danil “donk” Krushkovets was player of the match, leading Spirit with a 55-38 K-D differential. In the other Group A lower-bracket semifinal, G2 Esports swept 3DMAX 2-0, winning 13-6 on Inferno and 13-1 on Dust II. Spain’s Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia was the player of the match with a 27-12 K-D differential, and teammate Matus “MATYS” Simko of Slovakia had a 36-17 K-D. Team Spirit then knocked out G2 Esports 2-0 in the lower-bracket final to qualify for the playoff stage, winning 13-7 on Mirage and 13-11 on Dust II. Andrey “tN1R” Tatarinovich of Belarus paced Spirit with a 39-30 K-D differential. FURIA had little problem with MOUZ, winning 2-0 in the Group B upper-bracket final. FURIA triumphed 13-5 on Mirage and 13-9 on Dust II. Kazakhstan’s Danil “molodoy” Golubenko, the player of the match, led the way for FURIA with a 33-16 K-D differential. The all-Turkish Aurora Gaming swept B8 2-0 in the Group B lower-bracket semifinals, winning 13-7 on Mirage and 13-6 on Overpass. Ismailcan “XANDARES” Dortkardes, the player of the match, led Aurora with a 44-19 K-D differential. Natus Vincere swept HOTU in the other lower-bracket semifinal, winning 13-7 on Dust II and 13-9 on Ancient. Kosovo’s Drin “makazze” Shaqiri was the player of the match with a 40-24 K-D differential for the winning side. Natus Vincere then eliminated Aurora Gaming 2-1 to qualify for the playoffs. NAVI won 13-4 on Inferno, lost 13-11 on Mirage and won 13-4 on Dust II. Shaqiri again was the player of the match with a 50-38 K-D differential. MOUZ and Team Spirit meet in one quarterfinal on Friday, with the winner facing Team Falcons in the semifinals on Saturday. Team Vitality and Natus Vincere battle on Friday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals against FURIA. IEM Rio prize pool: 1. $125,000 2. $50,000 3. $30,000 4. $20,000 5-6. $12,500 7-8. $7,000 — G2 Esports, Aurora Gaming 9-12. $5,000 — RED Canids, 3DMAX, B8, HOTU 13-16. $4,000 — Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Passion UA, Legacy –Field Level Media #Deadspin #FURIA #Team #Falcons #riding #high #IEM #Rio #playoffs

Deadspin | FURIA, Team Falcons riding high going into IEM Rio playoffs
YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.

Team Falcons and FURIA earned byes to the semifinals with group-stage victories on Wednesday at the $300,000 Intel Extreme Masters Rio event in Brazil.

MOUZ, Team Spirit, Team Vitality and Natus Vincere also made the quarterfinals on Friday in Rio de Janeiro.

Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams are competing in this week’s competition for a top prize of $125,000.

The double-elimination group stage began with two groups of eight teams, with all matches best-of-three. The group winners advanced to the playoff semifinals, with the group runners-up entering the quarterfinals as high seeds and the third-place teams entering the quarterfinals as low seeds.

The single-elimination playoffs start Friday with all matches best-of-three until Sunday’s best-of-five grand final.

Team Falcons edged Team Vitality 2-1 in the Group A upper-bracket final on Wednesday. Falcons won 13-10 on Mirage, then Vitality drew even with a 13-6 decision on Dust II before the Falcons took the match with a 16-14 victory on Nuke. Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov of Russia was the player of the match, pacing the Falcons with a 59-45 kill-death differential.

Team Spirit topped RED Canids 2-1 in one Group A lower-bracket semifinal. After Canids opened with a 13-8 win on Mirage, Spirit rallied with a 13-8 victory on Ancient and a 13-2 rout on Overpass to take the match. Russia’s Danil “donk” Krushkovets was player of the match, leading Spirit with a 55-38 K-D differential.

In the other Group A lower-bracket semifinal, G2 Esports swept 3DMAX 2-0, winning 13-6 on Inferno and 13-1 on Dust II. Spain’s Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia was the player of the match with a 27-12 K-D differential, and teammate Matus “MATYS” Simko of Slovakia had a 36-17 K-D.

Team Spirit then knocked out G2 Esports 2-0 in the lower-bracket final to qualify for the playoff stage, winning 13-7 on Mirage and 13-11 on Dust II. Andrey “tN1R” Tatarinovich of Belarus paced Spirit with a 39-30 K-D differential.

FURIA had little problem with MOUZ, winning 2-0 in the Group B upper-bracket final. FURIA triumphed 13-5 on Mirage and 13-9 on Dust II. Kazakhstan’s Danil “molodoy” Golubenko, the player of the match, led the way for FURIA with a 33-16 K-D differential.

The all-Turkish Aurora Gaming swept B8 2-0 in the Group B lower-bracket semifinals, winning 13-7 on Mirage and 13-6 on Overpass. Ismailcan “XANDARES” Dortkardes, the player of the match, led Aurora with a 44-19 K-D differential.

Natus Vincere swept HOTU in the other lower-bracket semifinal, winning 13-7 on Dust II and 13-9 on Ancient. Kosovo’s Drin “makazze” Shaqiri was the player of the match with a 40-24 K-D differential for the winning side.

Natus Vincere then eliminated Aurora Gaming 2-1 to qualify for the playoffs. NAVI won 13-4 on Inferno, lost 13-11 on Mirage and won 13-4 on Dust II. Shaqiri again was the player of the match with a 50-38 K-D differential.

MOUZ and Team Spirit meet in one quarterfinal on Friday, with the winner facing Team Falcons in the semifinals on Saturday. Team Vitality and Natus Vincere battle on Friday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals against FURIA.

IEM Rio prize pool:

1. $125,000

2. $50,000

3. $30,000

4. $20,000

5-6. $12,500

7-8. $7,000 — G2 Esports, Aurora Gaming

9-12. $5,000 — RED Canids, 3DMAX, B8, HOTU

13-16. $4,000 — Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Passion UA, Legacy

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #FURIA #Team #Falcons #riding #high #IEM #Rio #playoffs

Sports news April 16, 2026

YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.

Team Falcons and FURIA earned byes to the semifinals with group-stage victories on Wednesday at the $300,000 Intel Extreme Masters Rio event in Brazil.

MOUZ, Team Spirit, Team Vitality and Natus Vincere also made the quarterfinals on Friday in Rio de Janeiro.

Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams are competing in this week’s competition for a top prize of $125,000.

The double-elimination group stage began with two groups of eight teams, with all matches best-of-three. The group winners advanced to the playoff semifinals, with the group runners-up entering the quarterfinals as high seeds and the third-place teams entering the quarterfinals as low seeds.

The single-elimination playoffs start Friday with all matches best-of-three until Sunday’s best-of-five grand final.

Team Falcons edged Team Vitality 2-1 in the Group A upper-bracket final on Wednesday. Falcons won 13-10 on Mirage, then Vitality drew even with a 13-6 decision on Dust II before the Falcons took the match with a 16-14 victory on Nuke. Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov of Russia was the player of the match, pacing the Falcons with a 59-45 kill-death differential.

Team Spirit topped RED Canids 2-1 in one Group A lower-bracket semifinal. After Canids opened with a 13-8 win on Mirage, Spirit rallied with a 13-8 victory on Ancient and a 13-2 rout on Overpass to take the match. Russia’s Danil “donk” Krushkovets was player of the match, leading Spirit with a 55-38 K-D differential.

In the other Group A lower-bracket semifinal, G2 Esports swept 3DMAX 2-0, winning 13-6 on Inferno and 13-1 on Dust II. Spain’s Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia was the player of the match with a 27-12 K-D differential, and teammate Matus “MATYS” Simko of Slovakia had a 36-17 K-D.

Team Spirit then knocked out G2 Esports 2-0 in the lower-bracket final to qualify for the playoff stage, winning 13-7 on Mirage and 13-11 on Dust II. Andrey “tN1R” Tatarinovich of Belarus paced Spirit with a 39-30 K-D differential.

FURIA had little problem with MOUZ, winning 2-0 in the Group B upper-bracket final. FURIA triumphed 13-5 on Mirage and 13-9 on Dust II. Kazakhstan’s Danil “molodoy” Golubenko, the player of the match, led the way for FURIA with a 33-16 K-D differential.

The all-Turkish Aurora Gaming swept B8 2-0 in the Group B lower-bracket semifinals, winning 13-7 on Mirage and 13-6 on Overpass. Ismailcan “XANDARES” Dortkardes, the player of the match, led Aurora with a 44-19 K-D differential.

Natus Vincere swept HOTU in the other lower-bracket semifinal, winning 13-7 on Dust II and 13-9 on Ancient. Kosovo’s Drin “makazze” Shaqiri was the player of the match with a 40-24 K-D differential for the winning side.

Natus Vincere then eliminated Aurora Gaming 2-1 to qualify for the playoffs. NAVI won 13-4 on Inferno, lost 13-11 on Mirage and won 13-4 on Dust II. Shaqiri again was the player of the match with a 50-38 K-D differential.

MOUZ and Team Spirit meet in one quarterfinal on Friday, with the winner facing Team Falcons in the semifinals on Saturday. Team Vitality and Natus Vincere battle on Friday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals against FURIA.

IEM Rio prize pool:

1. $125,000

2. $50,000

3. $30,000

4. $20,000

5-6. $12,500

7-8. $7,000 — G2 Esports, Aurora Gaming

9-12. $5,000 — RED Canids, 3DMAX, B8, HOTU

13-16. $4,000 — Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Passion UA, Legacy

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #FURIA #Team #Falcons #riding #high #IEM #Rio #playoffs

Mumbai Cricket Association announces player contract system ahead of 2026-2027 season <div id="content-body-70869587" itemprop="articleBody">The Mumbai Cricket Association has formalised its long-mooted player contract system, outlining the structure and framework of what it hopes will be a cornerstone in strengthening its domestic ecosystem.The decision, approved in principle by the MCA Apex Council on January 15, now has its details in place. The contracts will be awarded based on performance, fitness benchmarks and recommendations of the selection committee, with an eye on players on the cusp of higher honours.Under the new system, players will be slotted into three grades — Grade A (₹12-20 lakh), Grade B (₹8-12 lakh) and Grade C (₹8 lakh) annually — in addition to match fees, daily allowances and performance-linked incentives. The move is aimed at providing financial stability and a more structured professional environment, while also ensuring a steady pipeline to higher levels of cricket. The list of players will be drawn up closer to the season in consultation with the selection panel and the cricket improvement committee.MCA president Ajinkya Naik termed it a “new era” for Mumbai cricket, adding that the initiative would “provide greater security, structure, and growth opportunities” and help “strengthen the foundation” of the system.While the intent marks a progressive step, the MCA is not the first state association to introduce player contracts. Associations like Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttarakhand have experimented with similar models over the past two decades, though none has managed to sustain it over the long term.That context makes MCA’s implementation significant. For the past two domestic seasons, instead of central contracts, the association had opted to top up BCCI match fees for its senior men’s players with an equal contribution from its own coffers.The shift to a structured contract system signals a move towards long-term planning rather than ad-hoc support. Having taken the lead for the upcoming season, the MCA will hope the model not only endures but also safeguards and incentivises its senior men’s cricketers while nurturing the next generation.Published on Apr 16, 2026</div> #Mumbai #Cricket #Association #announces #player #contract #system #ahead #season

#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

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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">