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Deadspin | Hawks look to build comfortable series lead over Knicks Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend. Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run. The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4. “The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win. “This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.” If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6. New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss. CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win. “It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups. “I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.” McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson. “I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said. The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21. “I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.” Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds, Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting. Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #build #comfortable #series #lead #Knicks

Deadspin | Hawks look to build comfortable series lead over Knicks
Deadspin | Hawks look to build comfortable series lead over Knicks Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend. Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run. The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4. “The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win. “This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.” If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6. New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss. CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win. “It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups. “I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.” McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson. “I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said. The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21. “I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.” Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds, Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting. Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #build #comfortable #series #lead #KnicksApr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend.

Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run.

The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4.

“The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win.

“This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.”

If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6.

New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss.

CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win.


“It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups.

“I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.”

McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson.

“I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said.

The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21.

“I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”

Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds,

Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting.

Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hawks #build #comfortable #series #lead #Knicks

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Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend.

Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run.

The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4.

“The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win.

“This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.”

If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6.

New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss.

CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win.

“It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups.

“I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.”

McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson.

“I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said.

The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21.

“I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”

Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds,

Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting.

Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #homePro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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