Deadspin | Golf Glance: LPGA begins major season; PGA Tour’s lone team event Nelly Korda at the CME Group Tour Championships in Naples, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2025. The LPGA tees off its major season with the Chevron Championship, while the PGA Tour plays its only team event of the season and the DP World Tour returns to action in China. PGA TOUR THIS WEEK: Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana, April 23-26 Course: TPC Louisiana (Par 72, 7,425 Yards) Purse: $9.5M (Winner: $1.37M Each Player) Defending Champions: Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+) Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Friday: 8:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. X: @Zurich_Classic NOTES: This is the ninth edition of the only team event on the PGA Tour schedule. The teams will play Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday and Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Sunday. … Both winning team members earn a two-year exemption on tour, 400 FedEx Cup points each and spots in the PGA Championship and all remaining signature events. No Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. … No team has yet to successfully defend a title at the Zurich Classic. … Blades Brown, 19, is in the field on a sponsor exemption and paired with former Florida State star Luke Clanton. … This is the final event for players to earn spots into next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The standings are currently led by Rick Castillo, David Lipsky, Matt Wallace, Chandler Blanchet and Jordan Smith. All but Castillo are in this week’s field. … The tournament scoring record of 258 was set by Nick Hardy and Davis Riley in 2023. BEST BETS: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (+1175 at DraftKings) have been enjoying excellent runs. Matt has won two of his past three events to get to a career-best No. 3 in the world, and his brother is coming off a win on the DP World Tour. … Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (+1550). Lowry won this event two years ago with Rory McIlroy, and a win this week would get Koepka into next week’s signature event. … Sudarshan Yellamaraju/Ryan Gerard (+1750). Yellamaraju snapped a streak of three consecutive top-15 finishes with a T52 last week. Gerard was sniffing the first page of the Masters leaderboard before settling for a T38. … Novak/Griffin (+1850). Novak has two top-16s in his past three starts. While Griffin has struggled to follow up his breakout 2025, but did play well at the Masters before a 77 on Sunday dropped him to T33. Last Tournament: RBC Heritage (Matt Fitzpatrick) Next Tournament: Cadillac Championship, Miami, April 30-May 3 LPGA TOUR THIS WEEK: The Chevron Championship, Houston, April 23-26 Course: Memorial Park (Par 72, 6,811 Yards) Purse: $8M (Winner: $1.2M) Defending Champion: Mao Saigo Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda HOW TO FOLLOW: TV: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 1-3 p.m. (NBC), 3-6 p.m. (GC); 2-5:30 p.m. (NBC) Streaming (Peacock): Saturday: 1-6 p.m. ET; Sunday: 1:30-5:30 p.m. X: @Chevron_Golf NOTES: This is the first of five majors this season. Five of the past six Chevron Championship winners were also first-time major champions. … The 132-player field features the top three players in the Rolex Standings in Jeeno Thitikul, Korda and Hyo Joo Kim. Thitikul is still seeking her first major title. … The event moves to the municipal course Memorial Park following a three-year stint at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. Memorial Park also plays host to the Texas Children’s Open on the PGA Tour. … Stacy Lewis, 41, is four months pregnant and The Woodlands native will compete in what may be her final event before retirement. … With a victory this week, Lydia Ko would pass Annika Sorenstam on the LPGA Tour’s all-time career money list. … The field includes eight amateurs, including top-ranked Kiara Romero and Asterisk Talley. Last Tournament: LA Championship (Hannah Green) Next Tournament: Mexico Riviera Maya Open, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, April 30-May 3 PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS THIS WEEK: Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Duluth, Ga., April 24-26 Course: TPC Sugarloaf (Par 72, 7,205 Yards) Purse: $2M (Winner: $300,000) Defending Champion: Jerry Kelly Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Friday: 9-11 p.m. ET (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday: 3-6 p.m. (CNBC); Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel) X: @ChampionsTour NOTES: The event is moving to the Modified Stableford Scoring system. Points are awarded for: albatross (8 points), eagle (5 points), birdie (2 points), par (0 points), bogey (-1 point) and double bogey or more (-3 points). The player with the highest point total wins the event. … Kelly will make his 200th career Champions start. Last Tournament: Senior PGA Championship (Stewart Cink) Next Tournament: Regions Traditions, Birmingham, Ala., April 30-May 3 DP WORLD TOUR THIS WEEK: China Open, Shanghai, April 23-26 Course: Enhance Anting GC (Par 71, 7,188 Yards) Purse: $2.75M (Winner: $458, 333) Defending Champion: Ashun Wu Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Thursday-Friday: 12:30-5:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 12:30-5 a.m.; Sunday: Midnight-5 a.m. (Golf Channel) X: @DPWorldTour NOTES: This is the second of four events on the 2026 Asian Swing. The player with the most points at the end of each Swing earns a $200,000 bonus. … Already a two-time winner of his national open, Wu is attempting to become the first player to win the China Open in consecutive years. He is 19-under par in his past 20 rounds at the event. France’s Alexander Levy has also won the China Open twice. Last Tournament: Hero Indian Open (Alex Fitzpatrick) Next Tournament: Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, April 30-May 3 LIV GOLF LEAGUE THIS WEEK: OFF. 2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC Last Event: LIV Golf Mexico City (Individual: Rahm; Team: Legion XIII) Next Event: LIV Golf Virginia, Trump National GC, May 7-10 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Golf #Glance #LPGA #begins #major #season #PGA #Tours #lone #team #event

Deadspin | Golf Glance: LPGA begins major season; PGA Tour’s lone team event
Nelly Korda at the CME Group Tour Championships in Naples, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2025.

The LPGA tees off its major season with the Chevron Championship, while the PGA Tour plays its only team event of the season and the DP World Tour returns to action in China.

PGA TOUR

THIS WEEK: Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana, April 23-26

Course: TPC Louisiana (Par 72, 7,425 Yards)

Purse: $9.5M (Winner: $1.37M Each Player)

Defending Champions: Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak

FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)

Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Friday: 8:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

X: @Zurich_Classic

NOTES: This is the ninth edition of the only team event on the PGA Tour schedule. The teams will play Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday and Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Sunday. … Both winning team members earn a two-year exemption on tour, 400 FedEx Cup points each and spots in the PGA Championship and all remaining signature events. No Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. … No team has yet to successfully defend a title at the Zurich Classic. … Blades Brown, 19, is in the field on a sponsor exemption and paired with former Florida State star Luke Clanton. … This is the final event for players to earn spots into next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The standings are currently led by Rick Castillo, David Lipsky, Matt Wallace, Chandler Blanchet and Jordan Smith. All but Castillo are in this week’s field. … The tournament scoring record of 258 was set by Nick Hardy and Davis Riley in 2023.

BEST BETS: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (+1175 at DraftKings) have been enjoying excellent runs. Matt has won two of his past three events to get to a career-best No. 3 in the world, and his brother is coming off a win on the DP World Tour. … Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (+1550). Lowry won this event two years ago with Rory McIlroy, and a win this week would get Koepka into next week’s signature event. … Sudarshan Yellamaraju/Ryan Gerard (+1750). Yellamaraju snapped a streak of three consecutive top-15 finishes with a T52 last week. Gerard was sniffing the first page of the Masters leaderboard before settling for a T38. … Novak/Griffin (+1850). Novak has two top-16s in his past three starts. While Griffin has struggled to follow up his breakout 2025, but did play well at the Masters before a 77 on Sunday dropped him to T33.

Last Tournament: RBC Heritage (Matt Fitzpatrick)

Next Tournament: Cadillac Championship, Miami, April 30-May 3

LPGA TOUR

THIS WEEK: The Chevron Championship, Houston, April 23-26

Course: Memorial Park (Par 72, 6,811 Yards)

Purse: $8M (Winner: $1.2M)

Defending Champion: Mao Saigo

Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda

HOW TO FOLLOW:

TV: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 1-3 p.m. (NBC), 3-6 p.m. (GC); 2-5:30 p.m. (NBC)

Streaming (Peacock): Saturday: 1-6 p.m. ET; Sunday: 1:30-5:30 p.m.

X: @Chevron_Golf

NOTES: This is the first of five majors this season. Five of the past six Chevron Championship winners were also first-time major champions. … The 132-player field features the top three players in the Rolex Standings in Jeeno Thitikul, Korda and Hyo Joo Kim. Thitikul is still seeking her first major title. … The event moves to the municipal course Memorial Park following a three-year stint at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. Memorial Park also plays host to the Texas Children’s Open on the PGA Tour. … Stacy Lewis, 41, is four months pregnant and The Woodlands native will compete in what may be her final event before retirement. … With a victory this week, Lydia Ko would pass Annika Sorenstam on the LPGA Tour’s all-time career money list. … The field includes eight amateurs, including top-ranked Kiara Romero and Asterisk Talley.

Last Tournament: LA Championship (Hannah Green)

Next Tournament: Mexico Riviera Maya Open, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, April 30-May 3

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

THIS WEEK: Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Duluth, Ga., April 24-26

Course: TPC Sugarloaf (Par 72, 7,205 Yards)

Purse: $2M (Winner: $300,000)

Defending Champion: Jerry Kelly

Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Friday: 9-11 p.m. ET (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday: 3-6 p.m. (CNBC); Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)

X: @ChampionsTour

NOTES: The event is moving to the Modified Stableford Scoring system. Points are awarded for: albatross (8 points), eagle (5 points), birdie (2 points), par (0 points), bogey (-1 point) and double bogey or more (-3 points). The player with the highest point total wins the event. … Kelly will make his 200th career Champions start.

Last Tournament: Senior PGA Championship (Stewart Cink)

Next Tournament: Regions Traditions, Birmingham, Ala., April 30-May 3

DP WORLD TOUR

THIS WEEK: China Open, Shanghai, April 23-26

Course: Enhance Anting GC (Par 71, 7,188 Yards)

Purse: $2.75M (Winner: $458, 333)

Defending Champion: Ashun Wu

Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Thursday-Friday: 12:30-5:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 12:30-5 a.m.; Sunday: Midnight-5 a.m. (Golf Channel)

X: @DPWorldTour

NOTES: This is the second of four events on the 2026 Asian Swing. The player with the most points at the end of each Swing earns a $200,000 bonus. … Already a two-time winner of his national open, Wu is attempting to become the first player to win the China Open in consecutive years. He is 19-under par in his past 20 rounds at the event. France’s Alexander Levy has also won the China Open twice.

Last Tournament: Hero Indian Open (Alex Fitzpatrick)

Next Tournament: Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, April 30-May 3

LIV GOLF LEAGUE

THIS WEEK: OFF.

2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC

Last Event: LIV Golf Mexico City (Individual: Rahm; Team: Legion XIII)

Next Event: LIV Golf Virginia, Trump National GC, May 7-10

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Golf #Glance #LPGA #begins #major #season #PGA #Tours #lone #team #event

Sports news April 22, 2026

Nelly Korda at the CME Group Tour Championships in Naples, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2025.

The LPGA tees off its major season with the Chevron Championship, while the PGA Tour plays its only team event of the season and the DP World Tour returns to action in China.

PGA TOUR

THIS WEEK: Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana, April 23-26

Course: TPC Louisiana (Par 72, 7,425 Yards)

Purse: $9.5M (Winner: $1.37M Each Player)

Defending Champions: Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak

FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)

Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Friday: 8:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

X: @Zurich_Classic

NOTES: This is the ninth edition of the only team event on the PGA Tour schedule. The teams will play Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday and Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Sunday. … Both winning team members earn a two-year exemption on tour, 400 FedEx Cup points each and spots in the PGA Championship and all remaining signature events. No Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. … No team has yet to successfully defend a title at the Zurich Classic. … Blades Brown, 19, is in the field on a sponsor exemption and paired with former Florida State star Luke Clanton. … This is the final event for players to earn spots into next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The standings are currently led by Rick Castillo, David Lipsky, Matt Wallace, Chandler Blanchet and Jordan Smith. All but Castillo are in this week’s field. … The tournament scoring record of 258 was set by Nick Hardy and Davis Riley in 2023.

BEST BETS: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (+1175 at DraftKings) have been enjoying excellent runs. Matt has won two of his past three events to get to a career-best No. 3 in the world, and his brother is coming off a win on the DP World Tour. … Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (+1550). Lowry won this event two years ago with Rory McIlroy, and a win this week would get Koepka into next week’s signature event. … Sudarshan Yellamaraju/Ryan Gerard (+1750). Yellamaraju snapped a streak of three consecutive top-15 finishes with a T52 last week. Gerard was sniffing the first page of the Masters leaderboard before settling for a T38. … Novak/Griffin (+1850). Novak has two top-16s in his past three starts. While Griffin has struggled to follow up his breakout 2025, but did play well at the Masters before a 77 on Sunday dropped him to T33.

Last Tournament: RBC Heritage (Matt Fitzpatrick)

Next Tournament: Cadillac Championship, Miami, April 30-May 3

LPGA TOUR

THIS WEEK: The Chevron Championship, Houston, April 23-26

Course: Memorial Park (Par 72, 6,811 Yards)

Purse: $8M (Winner: $1.2M)

Defending Champion: Mao Saigo

Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda

HOW TO FOLLOW:

TV: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 1-3 p.m. (NBC), 3-6 p.m. (GC); 2-5:30 p.m. (NBC)

Streaming (Peacock): Saturday: 1-6 p.m. ET; Sunday: 1:30-5:30 p.m.

X: @Chevron_Golf

NOTES: This is the first of five majors this season. Five of the past six Chevron Championship winners were also first-time major champions. … The 132-player field features the top three players in the Rolex Standings in Jeeno Thitikul, Korda and Hyo Joo Kim. Thitikul is still seeking her first major title. … The event moves to the municipal course Memorial Park following a three-year stint at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. Memorial Park also plays host to the Texas Children’s Open on the PGA Tour. … Stacy Lewis, 41, is four months pregnant and The Woodlands native will compete in what may be her final event before retirement. … With a victory this week, Lydia Ko would pass Annika Sorenstam on the LPGA Tour’s all-time career money list. … The field includes eight amateurs, including top-ranked Kiara Romero and Asterisk Talley.

Last Tournament: LA Championship (Hannah Green)

Next Tournament: Mexico Riviera Maya Open, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, April 30-May 3

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

THIS WEEK: Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Duluth, Ga., April 24-26

Course: TPC Sugarloaf (Par 72, 7,205 Yards)

Purse: $2M (Winner: $300,000)

Defending Champion: Jerry Kelly

Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Friday: 9-11 p.m. ET (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday: 3-6 p.m. (CNBC); Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)

X: @ChampionsTour

NOTES: The event is moving to the Modified Stableford Scoring system. Points are awarded for: albatross (8 points), eagle (5 points), birdie (2 points), par (0 points), bogey (-1 point) and double bogey or more (-3 points). The player with the highest point total wins the event. … Kelly will make his 200th career Champions start.

Last Tournament: Senior PGA Championship (Stewart Cink)

Next Tournament: Regions Traditions, Birmingham, Ala., April 30-May 3

DP WORLD TOUR

THIS WEEK: China Open, Shanghai, April 23-26

Course: Enhance Anting GC (Par 71, 7,188 Yards)

Purse: $2.75M (Winner: $458, 333)

Defending Champion: Ashun Wu

Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Thursday-Friday: 12:30-5:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 12:30-5 a.m.; Sunday: Midnight-5 a.m. (Golf Channel)

X: @DPWorldTour

NOTES: This is the second of four events on the 2026 Asian Swing. The player with the most points at the end of each Swing earns a $200,000 bonus. … Already a two-time winner of his national open, Wu is attempting to become the first player to win the China Open in consecutive years. He is 19-under par in his past 20 rounds at the event. France’s Alexander Levy has also won the China Open twice.

Last Tournament: Hero Indian Open (Alex Fitzpatrick)

Next Tournament: Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, April 30-May 3

LIV GOLF LEAGUE

THIS WEEK: OFF.

2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC

Last Event: LIV Golf Mexico City (Individual: Rahm; Team: Legion XIII)

Next Event: LIV Golf Virginia, Trump National GC, May 7-10

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Golf #Glance #LPGA #begins #major #season #PGA #Tours #lone #team #event

Venus Williams eliminated from first round of Madrid Open <div id="content-body-70891430" itemprop="articleBody">Venus Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the 45-year-old went down in straight sets to Kaitlin Quevedo.The 20-year-old Spanish wild card beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour and 45 minutes on court.Ranked 479th in the world, Williams has now lost all seven matches she has played this season. It was her first match on clay since Roland Garros five years ago.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-injury-update-availability-for-french-open-2026-roland-garros-latest/article70887072.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback</a>Every game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.Published on Apr 22, 2026</div> #Venus #Williams #eliminated #Madrid #Open

#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">