Deadspin | Injury-plagued Lakers look to regroup vs. Warriors April 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) scores a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The foundation is crumbling fast around the Los Angeles Lakers, who looked like championship contenders after going 15-2 last month. The Lakers (50-29) now find themselves pressed to find enough healthy players for their next matchup against the host Golden State Warriors (37-42) on Thursday night. Los Angeles sits a game behind the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoffs, while Golden State will likely be the No. 10 seed and compete in the play-in tournament. The Lakers lost their third straight game on Tuesday, falling 123-87 at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury-plagued squad played without Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique), LeBron James (left foot injury management), Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) and Marcus Smart (ankle). Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 15 points against Oklahoma City. Los Angeles recorded their lowest-scoring outing of the season and was 14 of 31 (45.2%) from the foul line. “We’ve got to find nine guys that are, like, all in on us fighting and willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use — I don’t want to use a war metaphor in this time — but whatever you got to do to go out and fight and be all in on the team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “We’ll find the nine guys. It’s a great opportunity for us over the next three games to find those guys.” One bright spot in Tuesday’s loss was the play of rookie forward Adou Thiero, who scored a career-high 10 points in a career-high 21 minutes. Thiero’s performance was overshadowed by a heated exchange between Redick and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who confronted his coach after being pulled from the game just 16 seconds into the second quarter. Vanderbilt was benched for the rest of the contest. “It’s, you know, nothing personal with him. Normal stuff from my end,” Redick said. “I think for all of us, you know, being undermanned, we’ve got to scrap and claw, we’ve got to all be on the same page, we got to be great teammates, we got to all play hard. Called a timeout to get him out of the game. And he reacted, but again, normal interaction for me.” Los Angeles has won two of its three previous meetings against Golden State this season, including a 129-101 road victory on Feb. 28. The Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-105 home win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Stephen Curry scored 17 points and committed three turnovers in his second game back from a right knee injury “Part of (Curry) getting back is recognizing that decision-making is really gonna matter next week when we’re in the play-in,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “He knows he had a little bit of a ragged game handling the ball. He’ll make the necessary adjustments.” The Warriors used their 40th different lineup of the season on Tuesday after rookie guard Will Richard was scratched with a back injury. Golden State forward Draymond Green had seven assists in the victory and acknowledged that he’s not looking forward to the upcoming play-in tournament. “It’s not exciting,” Green said. “I’m a competitor, so going into the game I’m going to do all I can to win, but it’s not that exciting. I’m not going to sleep tomorrow night like, ‘man I got this play-in next week.’ “ –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Injuryplagued #Lakers #regroup #Warriors

Deadspin | Injury-plagued Lakers look to regroup vs. Warriors
April 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) scores a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The foundation is crumbling fast around the Los Angeles Lakers, who looked like championship contenders after going 15-2 last month.

The Lakers (50-29) now find themselves pressed to find enough healthy players for their next matchup against the host Golden State Warriors (37-42) on Thursday night.

Los Angeles sits a game behind the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoffs, while Golden State will likely be the No. 10 seed and compete in the play-in tournament.

The Lakers lost their third straight game on Tuesday, falling 123-87 at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury-plagued squad played without Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique), LeBron James (left foot injury management), Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) and Marcus Smart (ankle).

Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 15 points against Oklahoma City. Los Angeles recorded their lowest-scoring outing of the season and was 14 of 31 (45.2%) from the foul line.

“We’ve got to find nine guys that are, like, all in on us fighting and willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use — I don’t want to use a war metaphor in this time — but whatever you got to do to go out and fight and be all in on the team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “We’ll find the nine guys. It’s a great opportunity for us over the next three games to find those guys.”

One bright spot in Tuesday’s loss was the play of rookie forward Adou Thiero, who scored a career-high 10 points in a career-high 21 minutes.

Thiero’s performance was overshadowed by a heated exchange between Redick and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who confronted his coach after being pulled from the game just 16 seconds into the second quarter. Vanderbilt was benched for the rest of the contest.

“It’s, you know, nothing personal with him. Normal stuff from my end,” Redick said. “I think for all of us, you know, being undermanned, we’ve got to scrap and claw, we’ve got to all be on the same page, we got to be great teammates, we got to all play hard. Called a timeout to get him out of the game. And he reacted, but again, normal interaction for me.”

Los Angeles has won two of its three previous meetings against Golden State this season, including a 129-101 road victory on Feb. 28.

The Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-105 home win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Stephen Curry scored 17 points and committed three turnovers in his second game back from a right knee injury

“Part of (Curry) getting back is recognizing that decision-making is really gonna matter next week when we’re in the play-in,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “He knows he had a little bit of a ragged game handling the ball. He’ll make the necessary adjustments.”

The Warriors used their 40th different lineup of the season on Tuesday after rookie guard Will Richard was scratched with a back injury.

Golden State forward Draymond Green had seven assists in the victory and acknowledged that he’s not looking forward to the upcoming play-in tournament.

“It’s not exciting,” Green said. “I’m a competitor, so going into the game I’m going to do all I can to win, but it’s not that exciting. I’m not going to sleep tomorrow night like, ‘man I got this play-in next week.’ “

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Injuryplagued #Lakers #regroup #Warriors

Sports news April 9, 2026

April 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) scores a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The foundation is crumbling fast around the Los Angeles Lakers, who looked like championship contenders after going 15-2 last month.

The Lakers (50-29) now find themselves pressed to find enough healthy players for their next matchup against the host Golden State Warriors (37-42) on Thursday night.

Los Angeles sits a game behind the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoffs, while Golden State will likely be the No. 10 seed and compete in the play-in tournament.

The Lakers lost their third straight game on Tuesday, falling 123-87 at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury-plagued squad played without Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique), LeBron James (left foot injury management), Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) and Marcus Smart (ankle).

Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 15 points against Oklahoma City. Los Angeles recorded their lowest-scoring outing of the season and was 14 of 31 (45.2%) from the foul line.

“We’ve got to find nine guys that are, like, all in on us fighting and willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use — I don’t want to use a war metaphor in this time — but whatever you got to do to go out and fight and be all in on the team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “We’ll find the nine guys. It’s a great opportunity for us over the next three games to find those guys.”

One bright spot in Tuesday’s loss was the play of rookie forward Adou Thiero, who scored a career-high 10 points in a career-high 21 minutes.

Thiero’s performance was overshadowed by a heated exchange between Redick and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who confronted his coach after being pulled from the game just 16 seconds into the second quarter. Vanderbilt was benched for the rest of the contest.

“It’s, you know, nothing personal with him. Normal stuff from my end,” Redick said. “I think for all of us, you know, being undermanned, we’ve got to scrap and claw, we’ve got to all be on the same page, we got to be great teammates, we got to all play hard. Called a timeout to get him out of the game. And he reacted, but again, normal interaction for me.”

Los Angeles has won two of its three previous meetings against Golden State this season, including a 129-101 road victory on Feb. 28.

The Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-105 home win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Stephen Curry scored 17 points and committed three turnovers in his second game back from a right knee injury

“Part of (Curry) getting back is recognizing that decision-making is really gonna matter next week when we’re in the play-in,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “He knows he had a little bit of a ragged game handling the ball. He’ll make the necessary adjustments.”

The Warriors used their 40th different lineup of the season on Tuesday after rookie guard Will Richard was scratched with a back injury.

Golden State forward Draymond Green had seven assists in the victory and acknowledged that he’s not looking forward to the upcoming play-in tournament.

“It’s not exciting,” Green said. “I’m a competitor, so going into the game I’m going to do all I can to win, but it’s not that exciting. I’m not going to sleep tomorrow night like, ‘man I got this play-in next week.’ “

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Injuryplagued #Lakers #regroup #Warriors

Deadspin | Brent Rooker’s sac fly in 9th lifts Athletics past Yankees <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28686938.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28686938.jpg" alt="MLB: Athletics at New York Yankees" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 8, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Athletics third baseman Max Muncy (3) slides safely past the tag of New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (29) in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Brent Rooker lifted a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and the visiting Athletics earned a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Athletics won for only the fourth time in their past 17 visits to Yankee Stadium and earned the win after a shaky opening inning and a night after blowing a two-run lead in the eighth.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>David Bednar (0-1) allowed a single to Nick Kurtz and a double to Shea Langeliers to put runners at second and third. After Tyler Soderstrom struck out on a splitter, Rooker lifted a 1-0 curveball to center field and Kurtz scored.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Elvis Alvarado (2-0) struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a 100-mph fastball to end the eighth and set up the ninth. Joel Kuhnel retired the side in the ninth for his second career save and first since 2022 with Cincinnati.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Kurtz, Langeliers and Jeff McNeil had multi-hit games for the A’s, who stranded 11 and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>McNeil had an RBI single in the fourth off New York’s Will Warren and the A’s scored the tying run when Max Muncy trotted home on a wild pitch.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>The Yankees were unable to win in their last at-bat after doing so in their last two wins. New York struck out a season-high 15 times and had one of their four hits in the final eight innings.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single in the first and J.C. Escarra drew a bases-loaded walk against former New York starter Luis Severino.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Severino, who pitched for the Yankees from 2015 to 2023, allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out seven and issued five walks in his third appearance against his former team.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Warren allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked three.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Severino threw 32 pitches in the opening inning when the Yankees took the lead on Bellinger’s bloop single to shallow left and Escarra’s bases-loaded walk after the A’s lost an ABS challenge.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Severino allowed one hit the rest of the way and retired Judge and McMahon on double plays to end the second and fourth.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>The A’s tied it in the fourth as four straight hitters reached with two outs. McNeil singled to left and Muncy scored on a wild pitch during an at-bat to Kurtz, who ended the inning by striking out with two on.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Brent #Rookers #sac #fly #9th #lifts #Athletics #Yankees

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

mwasimuddin125 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

mwasimuddin125 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

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