Deadspin | Josh Sargent, Toronto eager to stay hot vs. Cincinnati Apr 4, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) celebrates scoring against the Colorado Rapids during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images In a short period of time, Josh Sargent has lived up to the hype that came with his transfer to Toronto FC. Sargent, 26, leads Toronto (3-2-1, 10 points) into a home match against FC Cincinnati (2-4-0, 6 points) on Saturday afternoon. Sargent’s header in the 85th minute served as the match winner in Toronto’s 3-2 comeback win against the Colorado Rapids last Saturday. It earned him recognition on the MLS Team of the Matchday. Toronto is unbeaten in four straight matches (3-0-1). While he has only played in three matches, Sargent has a goal and an assist. Sargent was acquired in February from English Championship club Norwich City for a $22 million transfer fee, that can be worth up to $26 million — a top-five transfer fee paid by an MLS team. Sargent inked a contract through the 2030-31 MLS campaign that already has paid dividends. “Josh is good at everything you need a forward to be good at,” Toronto coach Robin Fraser said. “We see bits and pieces of it every time we see him play. And then we see more of it when we see more minutes. His whole (style) of play is excellent. He’s very tidy in tight spaces. He also has really good timing when it comes time to get forward and make decisions about how he can get himself in front of the goal.” Toronto announced on Friday that midfielder Djordje Mihailovic is expected to be sidelined approximately eight weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured pelvis. He has one goal and two assists in five matches (four starts) this season. FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan also noted Sargent has an extensive skill set. “I think you see a player that will be very impactful on how they play moving forward,” Noonan said. “He’s a goal scorer and a team player and is just getting started. Hopefully we can have some solutions to limiting his impact.” Cincinnati dropped a 4-2 match to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday and has been outscored 15-9 this season. Because it is usually in a 5-2-1-2 formation, Cincinnati’s move to an aggressive 4-3-3 lineup against New York was a significant change. Yet, Noonan shook off the strategic shift. “We analyze our current group and what is working and what is not,” Noonan said. “Our opponent also factors in. We don’t rule out anything when it comes to preparation.” Toronto earned a 1-0 win at Cincinnati on March 8 on a Daniel Salloi goal in the 86th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Josh #Sargent #Toronto #eager #stay #hot #Cincinnati

Deadspin | Josh Sargent, Toronto eager to stay hot vs. Cincinnati
$Deadspin | Josh Sargent, Toronto eager to stay hot vs. Cincinnati Apr 4, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) celebrates scoring against the Colorado Rapids during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images In a short period of time, Josh Sargent has lived up to the hype that came with his transfer to Toronto FC. Sargent, 26, leads Toronto (3-2-1, 10 points) into a home match against FC Cincinnati (2-4-0, 6 points) on Saturday afternoon. Sargent’s header in the 85th minute served as the match winner in Toronto’s 3-2 comeback win against the Colorado Rapids last Saturday. It earned him recognition on the MLS Team of the Matchday. Toronto is unbeaten in four straight matches (3-0-1). While he has only played in three matches, Sargent has a goal and an assist. Sargent was acquired in February from English Championship club Norwich City for a million transfer fee, that can be worth up to million — a top-five transfer fee paid by an MLS team. Sargent inked a contract through the 2030-31 MLS campaign that already has paid dividends. “Josh is good at everything you need a forward to be good at,” Toronto coach Robin Fraser said. “We see bits and pieces of it every time we see him play. And then we see more of it when we see more minutes. His whole (style) of play is excellent. He’s very tidy in tight spaces. He also has really good timing when it comes time to get forward and make decisions about how he can get himself in front of the goal.” Toronto announced on Friday that midfielder Djordje Mihailovic is expected to be sidelined approximately eight weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured pelvis. He has one goal and two assists in five matches (four starts) this season. FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan also noted Sargent has an extensive skill set. “I think you see a player that will be very impactful on how they play moving forward,” Noonan said. “He’s a goal scorer and a team player and is just getting started. Hopefully we can have some solutions to limiting his impact.” Cincinnati dropped a 4-2 match to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday and has been outscored 15-9 this season. Because it is usually in a 5-2-1-2 formation, Cincinnati’s move to an aggressive 4-3-3 lineup against New York was a significant change. Yet, Noonan shook off the strategic shift. “We analyze our current group and what is working and what is not,” Noonan said. “Our opponent also factors in. We don’t rule out anything when it comes to preparation.” Toronto earned a 1-0 win at Cincinnati on March 8 on a Daniel Salloi goal in the 86th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Josh #Sargent #Toronto #eager #stay #hot #Cincinnati$ Apr 4, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) celebrates scoring against the Colorado Rapids during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

In a short period of time, Josh Sargent has lived up to the hype that came with his transfer to Toronto FC.

Sargent, 26, leads Toronto (3-2-1, 10 points) into a home match against FC Cincinnati (2-4-0, 6 points) on Saturday afternoon.

Sargent’s header in the 85th minute served as the match winner in Toronto’s 3-2 comeback win against the Colorado Rapids last Saturday. It earned him recognition on the MLS Team of the Matchday. Toronto is unbeaten in four straight matches (3-0-1).

While he has only played in three matches, Sargent has a goal and an assist.

Sargent was acquired in February from English Championship club Norwich City for a $22 million transfer fee, that can be worth up to $26 million — a top-five transfer fee paid by an MLS team. Sargent inked a contract through the 2030-31 MLS campaign that already has paid dividends.

“Josh is good at everything you need a forward to be good at,” Toronto coach Robin Fraser said. “We see bits and pieces of it every time we see him play. And then we see more of it when we see more minutes. His whole (style) of play is excellent. He’s very tidy in tight spaces. He also has really good timing when it comes time to get forward and make decisions about how he can get himself in front of the goal.”

Toronto announced on Friday that midfielder Djordje Mihailovic is expected to be sidelined approximately eight weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured pelvis. He has one goal and two assists in five matches (four starts) this season.

FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan also noted Sargent has an extensive skill set.

“I think you see a player that will be very impactful on how they play moving forward,” Noonan said. “He’s a goal scorer and a team player and is just getting started. Hopefully we can have some solutions to limiting his impact.”

Cincinnati dropped a 4-2 match to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday and has been outscored 15-9 this season.

Because it is usually in a 5-2-1-2 formation, Cincinnati’s move to an aggressive 4-3-3 lineup against New York was a significant change. Yet, Noonan shook off the strategic shift.

“We analyze our current group and what is working and what is not,” Noonan said. “Our opponent also factors in. We don’t rule out anything when it comes to preparation.”

Toronto earned a 1-0 win at Cincinnati on March 8 on a Daniel Salloi goal in the 86th minute.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Josh #Sargent #Toronto #eager #stay #hot #Cincinnati

Sports news April 10, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) celebrates scoring against the Colorado Rapids during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

In a short period of time, Josh Sargent has lived up to the hype that came with his transfer to Toronto FC.

Sargent, 26, leads Toronto (3-2-1, 10 points) into a home match against FC Cincinnati (2-4-0, 6 points) on Saturday afternoon.

Sargent’s header in the 85th minute served as the match winner in Toronto’s 3-2 comeback win against the Colorado Rapids last Saturday. It earned him recognition on the MLS Team of the Matchday. Toronto is unbeaten in four straight matches (3-0-1).

While he has only played in three matches, Sargent has a goal and an assist.

Sargent was acquired in February from English Championship club Norwich City for a $22 million transfer fee, that can be worth up to $26 million — a top-five transfer fee paid by an MLS team. Sargent inked a contract through the 2030-31 MLS campaign that already has paid dividends.

“Josh is good at everything you need a forward to be good at,” Toronto coach Robin Fraser said. “We see bits and pieces of it every time we see him play. And then we see more of it when we see more minutes. His whole (style) of play is excellent. He’s very tidy in tight spaces. He also has really good timing when it comes time to get forward and make decisions about how he can get himself in front of the goal.”

Toronto announced on Friday that midfielder Djordje Mihailovic is expected to be sidelined approximately eight weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured pelvis. He has one goal and two assists in five matches (four starts) this season.

FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan also noted Sargent has an extensive skill set.

“I think you see a player that will be very impactful on how they play moving forward,” Noonan said. “He’s a goal scorer and a team player and is just getting started. Hopefully we can have some solutions to limiting his impact.”

Cincinnati dropped a 4-2 match to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday and has been outscored 15-9 this season.

Because it is usually in a 5-2-1-2 formation, Cincinnati’s move to an aggressive 4-3-3 lineup against New York was a significant change. Yet, Noonan shook off the strategic shift.

“We analyze our current group and what is working and what is not,” Noonan said. “Our opponent also factors in. We don’t rule out anything when it comes to preparation.”

Toronto earned a 1-0 win at Cincinnati on March 8 on a Daniel Salloi goal in the 86th minute.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Josh #Sargent #Toronto #eager #stay #hot #Cincinnati

Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Zverev beats Fonseca to reach semifinals <div id="content-body-70847338" itemprop="articleBody">Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and his closest rival Jannik Sinner both cruised into the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters with straight-sets wins on Friday.Sinner extended his winning run at Masters 1000 events to 20 matches as he brushed aside Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 in one hour 32 minutes.Alcaraz was next on the centre court and extended his clay-court run of victories to 16 as he crushed Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-0 in one hour three minutes.The top two had both suffered second-set blips the day before when Sinner, who said later his energy level was not right had his record streak of 36 consecutive sets won in Masters tournaments snapped by Tomas Machac in the last 16.“I feel like it was a step forwards today,” said the Italian after beating Canadian Auger-Aliassime.“It was a very tough match. I knew I had to get better in certain areas. The serve is not there yet, where I would love it (to be), but all things considered I’m very happy.“But in any case, very happy to be back in the semis.”Sinner has never won one of the elite clay tournaments but will be a strong favourite when he plays Alexander Zverev after winning their last seven meetings.The world number two, who completed the ‘Sunshine double’ with wins at Indian Wells and the Miami Open, is still on track for a possible first clash of the year with Alcaraz in the final.Sinner dropped just seven points on serve in a dominant opening set which he took courtesy of a break in the sixth game.The four-time Grand Slam champion also powered through the second set, wrapping up his fifth consecutive win over seventh-ranked Auger-Aliassime.<h4 class="sub_head">– ‘Playing aggressively’ –</h4>Alcaraz, playing Bublik for the first time, broke in the opening game and had four break point in the third game but could not take any.Bublik broke back in the fourth game and led 3-2, but Alcaraz won the next 10 games as he raced to victory.“I started the match pretty well,” Alcaraz said.“I had points to be two breaks up and didn’t make it and then I lost a bit of the feeling on the ball.“I had to run side to side a lot, had to defend and then a few games gave me a lot of confidence in the match. I was playing aggressively and I played a great and solid match against a player that you don’t know what they will produce next.”Alacarz will face the winner of Friday’s closing match between Alex de Minaur and Valentin Vacherot.World number three Zverev sealed a battling 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3 victory over Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to reach the semi-finals in Monaco for the third time.The German could complete a career sweep of the clay-court Masters 1000 events. He has won the Italian Open and Madrid Open twice each.Big-hitting 19-year-old Fonseca was playing his first Masters quarter-final but pushed his opponent.Zverev broke in the 11th game and then served out the opening set to love, before breaking again at the start of the second.Fonseca reeled off four straight games from 3-1 down to tee up the chance to serve for the set, but he failed to take that opportunity.The world number 40 found his rhythm in the tie-break with a string of magnificent groundstrokes to force a decider.But Fonseca could not maintain that level as Zverev improved.The 28-year-old broke in the sixth game and served out victory, reaching his third straight Masters 1000 semi-final this year.Published on Apr 10, 2026</div> #Monte #Carlo #Masters #Zverev #beats #Fonseca #reach #semifinals

#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">