Deadspin | Nationals have hands full with Matt Olson, Braves: ‘They’re really good’ Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) reacts as he runs after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Matt Olson will look to continue his success at Nationals Park when the Atlanta Braves visit the Washington Nationals for the second game of their four-game series Tuesday night. The Atlanta first baseman smacked a two-run homer to center and added a sacrifice fly in the Braves 9-4 win on Monday night, their sixth in a row. Washington’s James Wood also robbed Olson of a homer at the fence in right field. “We hit a lot of balls hard tonight,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said Monday. “That wind was blowing in. The fact that that ball Olson hit got out to center was a miracle the way the wind was blowing in. He might have had three homers tonight without any wind.” Olson’s numbers might be ready for a boost anyway given his history at Nationals Park. Over the course of the 32-year-old’s career, Olson has played 30 games at the stadium. He has 13 homers, 35 RBIs and a batting average of .367. The 13 home runs are more than he has hit in every stadium except the two parks he has called home — he previously played for the Athletics — and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where he has parked 15 balls over the outfield wall. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna, Jr. left the game in the sixth inning after being hit by a Jake Irvin pitch for the second time in the game, this one on the left hand. Acuna is day-to-day and Weiss said X-rays were negative. “We feel pretty good about it,” Weiss said. “That’s where we’re at. We don’t have any plans for an MRI.” Irvin said neither pitch was intentional. “We’re trying to go in,” he said. “It’s unfortunate. Atlanta right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (1-0, 2.18) will oppose left-hander Foster Griffin (2-0, 3.05) on Tuesday. Griffin turned in three strong starts to open the season but struggled the last time out against Pittsburgh on Thursday. He held the Pirates scoreless for the first four innings but ultimately gave up four runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking one. The Nationals pulled off an 8-7 win in 10 innings, but Griffin didn’t figure into the decision. He has never faced the Braves. Lopez is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in four career starts against the Nationals. He gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits in five innings of a no-decision against the Miami Marlins in his April 14 start, won 6-5 by the Braves. It was the first time in four starts that he had given up more than one earned run. The Nationals took the lead twice on Monday but could not hold it. Daylen Lile homered, but Washington was held to three hits and fell to 2-8 at home on a night that they committed two errors in addition to hitting Acuna. “We know we have to play really good baseball against this team; they’re really good,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said after the game on Monday. “We made too many mistakes tonight to beat this club. We’ll address it, we’ll fix it and be ready to go tomorrow.” Lile has hits in 18 of 22 games played this year. Irvin was perfect through three innings but was later lifted after five innings and 68 pitches. He gave up four runs (three earned). Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin had two hits, drove in two runs and scored twice. He has 10 multi-hit games this season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nationals #hands #full #Matt #Olson #Braves #Theyre #good

Deadspin | Nationals have hands full with Matt Olson, Braves: ‘They’re really good’
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) reacts as he runs after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Matt Olson will look to continue his success at Nationals Park when the Atlanta Braves visit the Washington Nationals for the second game of their four-game series Tuesday night.

The Atlanta first baseman smacked a two-run homer to center and added a sacrifice fly in the Braves 9-4 win on Monday night, their sixth in a row. Washington’s James Wood also robbed Olson of a homer at the fence in right field.

“We hit a lot of balls hard tonight,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said Monday. “That wind was blowing in. The fact that that ball Olson hit got out to center was a miracle the way the wind was blowing in. He might have had three homers tonight without any wind.”

Olson’s numbers might be ready for a boost anyway given his history at Nationals Park. Over the course of the 32-year-old’s career, Olson has played 30 games at the stadium. He has 13 homers, 35 RBIs and a batting average of .367.

The 13 home runs are more than he has hit in every stadium except the two parks he has called home — he previously played for the Athletics — and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where he has parked 15 balls over the outfield wall.

Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna, Jr. left the game in the sixth inning after being hit by a Jake Irvin pitch for the second time in the game, this one on the left hand. Acuna is day-to-day and Weiss said X-rays were negative.

“We feel pretty good about it,” Weiss said. “That’s where we’re at. We don’t have any plans for an MRI.”

Irvin said neither pitch was intentional.

“We’re trying to go in,” he said. “It’s unfortunate.

Atlanta right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (1-0, 2.18) will oppose left-hander Foster Griffin (2-0, 3.05) on Tuesday.

Griffin turned in three strong starts to open the season but struggled the last time out against Pittsburgh on Thursday. He held the Pirates scoreless for the first four innings but ultimately gave up four runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking one. The Nationals pulled off an 8-7 win in 10 innings, but Griffin didn’t figure into the decision.

He has never faced the Braves.

Lopez is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in four career starts against the Nationals.

He gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits in five innings of a no-decision against the Miami Marlins in his April 14 start, won 6-5 by the Braves. It was the first time in four starts that he had given up more than one earned run.

The Nationals took the lead twice on Monday but could not hold it. Daylen Lile homered, but Washington was held to three hits and fell to 2-8 at home on a night that they committed two errors in addition to hitting Acuna.

“We know we have to play really good baseball against this team; they’re really good,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said after the game on Monday. “We made too many mistakes tonight to beat this club. We’ll address it, we’ll fix it and be ready to go tomorrow.”

Lile has hits in 18 of 22 games played this year.

Irvin was perfect through three innings but was later lifted after five innings and 68 pitches. He gave up four runs (three earned).

Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin had two hits, drove in two runs and scored twice. He has 10 multi-hit games this season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nationals #hands #full #Matt #Olson #Braves #Theyre #good

Sports news April 21, 2026

Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) reacts as he runs after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Matt Olson will look to continue his success at Nationals Park when the Atlanta Braves visit the Washington Nationals for the second game of their four-game series Tuesday night.

The Atlanta first baseman smacked a two-run homer to center and added a sacrifice fly in the Braves 9-4 win on Monday night, their sixth in a row. Washington’s James Wood also robbed Olson of a homer at the fence in right field.

“We hit a lot of balls hard tonight,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said Monday. “That wind was blowing in. The fact that that ball Olson hit got out to center was a miracle the way the wind was blowing in. He might have had three homers tonight without any wind.”

Olson’s numbers might be ready for a boost anyway given his history at Nationals Park. Over the course of the 32-year-old’s career, Olson has played 30 games at the stadium. He has 13 homers, 35 RBIs and a batting average of .367.

The 13 home runs are more than he has hit in every stadium except the two parks he has called home — he previously played for the Athletics — and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where he has parked 15 balls over the outfield wall.

Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna, Jr. left the game in the sixth inning after being hit by a Jake Irvin pitch for the second time in the game, this one on the left hand. Acuna is day-to-day and Weiss said X-rays were negative.

“We feel pretty good about it,” Weiss said. “That’s where we’re at. We don’t have any plans for an MRI.”

Irvin said neither pitch was intentional.

“We’re trying to go in,” he said. “It’s unfortunate.

Atlanta right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (1-0, 2.18) will oppose left-hander Foster Griffin (2-0, 3.05) on Tuesday.

Griffin turned in three strong starts to open the season but struggled the last time out against Pittsburgh on Thursday. He held the Pirates scoreless for the first four innings but ultimately gave up four runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking one. The Nationals pulled off an 8-7 win in 10 innings, but Griffin didn’t figure into the decision.

He has never faced the Braves.

Lopez is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in four career starts against the Nationals.

He gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits in five innings of a no-decision against the Miami Marlins in his April 14 start, won 6-5 by the Braves. It was the first time in four starts that he had given up more than one earned run.

The Nationals took the lead twice on Monday but could not hold it. Daylen Lile homered, but Washington was held to three hits and fell to 2-8 at home on a night that they committed two errors in addition to hitting Acuna.

“We know we have to play really good baseball against this team; they’re really good,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said after the game on Monday. “We made too many mistakes tonight to beat this club. We’ll address it, we’ll fix it and be ready to go tomorrow.”

Lile has hits in 18 of 22 games played this year.

Irvin was perfect through three innings but was later lifted after five innings and 68 pitches. He gave up four runs (three earned).

Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin had two hits, drove in two runs and scored twice. He has 10 multi-hit games this season.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Nationals #hands #full #Matt #Olson #Braves #Theyre #good

Deadspin | Raiders pick No. 1, then Ohio State draft takeover begins <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-900/25695439.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/25695439.jpg" alt="Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8), linebacker Sonny Styles (6), safety Caleb Downs (2) and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) work out during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025.  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Ohio State is not the reigning national champion in college football, and the Buckeyes are not expected to produce a fourth No. 1 overall selection when the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off with the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock Thursday night. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>But you can bet your most sacred scarlet that the Buckeyes are money in the bank to pad their all-time total — 97 and counting — first-round selections soon after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Raiders.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Anywhere between nine and 13 Ohio State players are projected to be drafted into the NFL this week, and five carry first-round grades one year removed from the 2025 national championship roster that produced four first-rounders: wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 21, Buccaneers), offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (24, Vikings), defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (28, Lions) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (32, Chiefs). </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The 2021 Alabama team and the 2004 Miami squad share the record with six first-round selections in a single draft.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The wait for the Ohio State takeover of the 2026 draft might not be long. In fact, that first selection could come right after Mendoza hears his name called.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Buckeyes linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese are candidates to be selected No. 2 overall by the Jets. Styles put on an epic athletic display at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and Reese, who played a variety of positions in Matt Patricia’s defense, was right there with him. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, Reese is being compared to Penn State-era Micah Parsons, the No. 12 pick in the 2021 draft and a three-time NFL All-Pro. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Reese is dripping with upside. He had 6.5 sacks at Ohio State in 2025 but was only a part-time pass rusher. </p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Only 20, Reese could add significant weight and convert to defensive end or focus on an edge/outside linebacker role. Because of his speed and power, there are also teams that discussed using him inside. The Cleveland native met with the Browns but he might not stick around long enough to stay in Ohio; the Browns have picks No. 6 and 24. He also had multiple meetings with the Arizona Cardinals, who pick third overall. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“I played everywhere from inside linebacker to (strong-side) to edge. I was comfortable everywhere,” Reese said, noting NFL teams are complimentary of his versatility. “It changes (with) each team, so it depends on the system and how the defensive coordinator thinks he’ll use me.”</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>Styles is a second-generation NFL prospect. His dad, Lorenzo Styles, was an NFL linebacker for the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons for six seasons. Lorenzo Styles Jr. is also part of the 2026 draft class. A Notre Dame transfer, Lorenzo Styles Jr. played safety — and started 11 games — for the Buckeyes last season.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>At 6-5, 244, Sonny Styles stole the show at the combine. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, had a 43 1/2-inch vertical, broad jumped 11 feet, 2 inches and clocked a 4.26-second 20-yard shuttle. It points to his high school background as a five-star safety recruit. </p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The top tackler on Ohio State’s dynamic defense, Sonny Styles had only one missed tackle all season — and it came in the College Football Playoff — by the count of Buckeyes’ staff.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“I think the way I can improve the run defense is just being in the middle,” said Styles, a self-described film junkie. “I feel like I had a great feel of what was coming.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Safety Caleb Downs is listed as a top-10 prospect by many evaluators, and he will be in the draft green room Thursday with his linebacker teammates, wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. </p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>All six could be selected in the opening round. Downs and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are vying to be the top player picked at the position and Tate is another likely first-round receiver produced by the Buckeyes. He averaged 17.2 yards per reception last season and caught 14 TD passes in three seasons at Ohio State. </p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>McDonald turned 21 last month and was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025. He had 65 tackles and nine tackles for loss last season as the thick and powerful roadblock to interior linemen trying to get their hands on Reese and Styles. </p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Raiders #pick #Ohio #State #draft #takeover #begins

#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">