Deadspin | NBA roundup: Knicks top Celtics to extend home win streak to 6 Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) after Hart hit a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 on Thursday. Boston was within 109-106 after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute. New York, which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots. Jaylen Brown (Achilles) sat out. Rockets 113, 76ers 102 Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped host Houston fend off hard-charging Philadelphia. The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes, when what was once a 28-point lead was trimmed to three. Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston. The 76ers, who have lost three straight, played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while VJ Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Raptors 128, Heat 114 Brandon Ingram scored 23 of his 38 points in the first half as Toronto defeated visiting Miami to complete a four-game sweep of the Heat and move into fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. RJ Barrett complemented Ingram with 22 points for the Raptors, while Collin Murray-Boyles went perfect from the field in scoring 17 points. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley added 13 and 11 points, respectively. Bam Adebayo bounced back from a disappointing performance Tuesday by tallying 24 points and adding 11 rebounds for Miami. Tyler Herro scored 15 points, while Davion Mitchell added 15 points and 11 assists. Bulls 119, Wizards 108 Tre Jones scored 31 points, Collin Sexton had 27 and Leonard Miller recorded a career-high 26, fueling visiting Chicago to a victory over Washington. Jones sank 9 of 14 shots from the floor and all 12 of his attempts from the free-throw line for the Bulls, who rode a strong finish to the third quarter en route to defeating the Wizards for the second time in three days. Miller, who made 11 of 14 shots from the floor, added 11 rebounds to record his second double-double in three games. Washington rookie Will Riley collected 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Julian Reese recorded 16 points and 15 boards. Leaky Black and Anthony Gill each scored 14 points for the undermanned Wizards, who dressed the league-minimum eight players on Thursday. Pacers 123, Nets 94 Reserve Obi Toppin collected a season-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Indiana seized control in the first quarter and rolled to an easy victory over Brooklyn. Toppin, the only available player to appear in the NBA Finals last season for Indiana, made 11 of 14 shots in 19 minutes. Micah Potter added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who shot 52%, scored 80 points in the paint and outrebounded Brooklyn 66-43. E.J. Liddell led the Nets with a career-high 26 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. He made 10 of 16 shots and set his career high for scoring in a third straight game. Rookie Ben Saraf added 19 points and Tyson Etienne contributed 14. Lakers 119, Warriors 103 LeBron James tallied 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Golden State in San Francisco. Deandre Ayton scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and Jake LaRavia added 16 points for the Lakers, who moved into a tie with the Houston Rockets for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. Both teams are one game behind the Denver Nuggets. Luke Kennard finished with 14 points, Rui Hachimura and Nick Smith Jr. added 12 apiece and Bronny James had 10. Brandin Podziemski and Nate Williams led Golden State (37-43) with 17 points apiece. Charles Bassey, Pat Spencer and Malevy Leons each scored 12 points, Seth Curry added 11, and Gary Payton II had 10. Bassey grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Knicks #top #Celtics #extend #home #win #streak

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Knicks top Celtics to extend home win streak to 6
Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) after Hart hit a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 on Thursday.

Boston was within 109-106 after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.

New York, which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots. Jaylen Brown (Achilles) sat out.

Rockets 113, 76ers 102

Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped host Houston fend off hard-charging Philadelphia.

The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes, when what was once a 28-point lead was trimmed to three. Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston.

The 76ers, who have lost three straight, played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while VJ Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

Raptors 128, Heat 114

Brandon Ingram scored 23 of his 38 points in the first half as Toronto defeated visiting Miami to complete a four-game sweep of the Heat and move into fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.

RJ Barrett complemented Ingram with 22 points for the Raptors, while Collin Murray-Boyles went perfect from the field in scoring 17 points. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Bam Adebayo bounced back from a disappointing performance Tuesday by tallying 24 points and adding 11 rebounds for Miami. Tyler Herro scored 15 points, while Davion Mitchell added 15 points and 11 assists.

Bulls 119, Wizards 108

Tre Jones scored 31 points, Collin Sexton had 27 and Leonard Miller recorded a career-high 26, fueling visiting Chicago to a victory over Washington.

Jones sank 9 of 14 shots from the floor and all 12 of his attempts from the free-throw line for the Bulls, who rode a strong finish to the third quarter en route to defeating the Wizards for the second time in three days. Miller, who made 11 of 14 shots from the floor, added 11 rebounds to record his second double-double in three games.

Washington rookie Will Riley collected 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Julian Reese recorded 16 points and 15 boards. Leaky Black and Anthony Gill each scored 14 points for the undermanned Wizards, who dressed the league-minimum eight players on Thursday.

Pacers 123, Nets 94

Reserve Obi Toppin collected a season-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Indiana seized control in the first quarter and rolled to an easy victory over Brooklyn.

Toppin, the only available player to appear in the NBA Finals last season for Indiana, made 11 of 14 shots in 19 minutes. Micah Potter added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who shot 52%, scored 80 points in the paint and outrebounded Brooklyn 66-43.

E.J. Liddell led the Nets with a career-high 26 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. He made 10 of 16 shots and set his career high for scoring in a third straight game. Rookie Ben Saraf added 19 points and Tyson Etienne contributed 14.

Lakers 119, Warriors 103

LeBron James tallied 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Golden State in San Francisco.

Deandre Ayton scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and Jake LaRavia added 16 points for the Lakers, who moved into a tie with the Houston Rockets for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. Both teams are one game behind the Denver Nuggets. Luke Kennard finished with 14 points, Rui Hachimura and Nick Smith Jr. added 12 apiece and Bronny James had 10.

Brandin Podziemski and Nate Williams led Golden State (37-43) with 17 points apiece. Charles Bassey, Pat Spencer and Malevy Leons each scored 12 points, Seth Curry added 11, and Gary Payton II had 10. Bassey grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Knicks #top #Celtics #extend #home #win #streak

Sports news April 10, 2026

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) after Hart hit a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 on Thursday.

Boston was within 109-106 after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.

New York, which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots. Jaylen Brown (Achilles) sat out.

Rockets 113, 76ers 102

Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped host Houston fend off hard-charging Philadelphia.

The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes, when what was once a 28-point lead was trimmed to three. Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston.

The 76ers, who have lost three straight, played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while VJ Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

Raptors 128, Heat 114

Brandon Ingram scored 23 of his 38 points in the first half as Toronto defeated visiting Miami to complete a four-game sweep of the Heat and move into fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.

RJ Barrett complemented Ingram with 22 points for the Raptors, while Collin Murray-Boyles went perfect from the field in scoring 17 points. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Bam Adebayo bounced back from a disappointing performance Tuesday by tallying 24 points and adding 11 rebounds for Miami. Tyler Herro scored 15 points, while Davion Mitchell added 15 points and 11 assists.

Bulls 119, Wizards 108

Tre Jones scored 31 points, Collin Sexton had 27 and Leonard Miller recorded a career-high 26, fueling visiting Chicago to a victory over Washington.

Jones sank 9 of 14 shots from the floor and all 12 of his attempts from the free-throw line for the Bulls, who rode a strong finish to the third quarter en route to defeating the Wizards for the second time in three days. Miller, who made 11 of 14 shots from the floor, added 11 rebounds to record his second double-double in three games.

Washington rookie Will Riley collected 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Julian Reese recorded 16 points and 15 boards. Leaky Black and Anthony Gill each scored 14 points for the undermanned Wizards, who dressed the league-minimum eight players on Thursday.

Pacers 123, Nets 94

Reserve Obi Toppin collected a season-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Indiana seized control in the first quarter and rolled to an easy victory over Brooklyn.

Toppin, the only available player to appear in the NBA Finals last season for Indiana, made 11 of 14 shots in 19 minutes. Micah Potter added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who shot 52%, scored 80 points in the paint and outrebounded Brooklyn 66-43.

E.J. Liddell led the Nets with a career-high 26 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. He made 10 of 16 shots and set his career high for scoring in a third straight game. Rookie Ben Saraf added 19 points and Tyson Etienne contributed 14.

Lakers 119, Warriors 103

LeBron James tallied 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Golden State in San Francisco.

Deandre Ayton scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and Jake LaRavia added 16 points for the Lakers, who moved into a tie with the Houston Rockets for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. Both teams are one game behind the Denver Nuggets. Luke Kennard finished with 14 points, Rui Hachimura and Nick Smith Jr. added 12 apiece and Bronny James had 10.

Brandin Podziemski and Nate Williams led Golden State (37-43) with 17 points apiece. Charles Bassey, Pat Spencer and Malevy Leons each scored 12 points, Seth Curry added 11, and Gary Payton II had 10. Bassey grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Knicks #top #Celtics #extend #home #win #streak

Mukul knock example of how IPL turns youngsters into stars, says KKR’s Rovman Powell <div id="content-body-70846771" itemprop="articleBody">Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Rovman Powell said youngster Mukul Choudhary’s sensational 27-ball 54 was the primary reason behind his team’s three-wicket loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from a position of winning in the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.“It’s very disappointing. You want to make Kolkata, Eden Gardens, your fortress. Credit to the youngster, he batted really well…That is what the IPL does to young Indian players — turn them into stars. And tonight, it was his night. He played a fantastic innings,” said Powell after his team failed to defend 181 for four and remained without a win after four matches, including three at home.Asked what KKR bowlers could have done differently to check Mukul, Powell said, “They could have gone to a wide (ball) plan just as we went for the last ball, the last over. We could have gone to a wide plan, after we realised that he’s hitting those short deliveries, maybe a few balls earlier…“When you are out there and the pressure is on and guys keep telling you or you have a plan, it then comes down to execution.”On the fairness of Finn Allen’s catch by Digvesh Rathi on the third-man boundary, Powell said, “We thought, as we’ve seen in the IPLs, the umpires have gone upstairs for lesser things and that’s not as close as that. Maybe it was a blunder on their part, but we’re not going to say that is what cost us two points tonight.”Published on Apr 10, 2026</div> #Mukul #knock #IPL #turns #youngsters #stars #KKRs #Rovman #Powell

#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">