Deadspin | Slumping Ducks determined to ‘figure it out’ vs. Predators Apr 4, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mikael Granlund (64) talks with ref during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images A five-game losing skid knocked the Anaheim Ducks from top spot in the Pacific Division and left them looking for answers as they prepare to host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. The Ducks (41-31-5, 87 points) were in the driver’s seat before a swoon that was extended with a 5-3 loss on Saturday to the Calgary Flames. Instead of holding the upper hand in the final sprint to a division title, the Ducks sit second in the division, tied with the Edmonton Oilers (39-29-9, 87 points) but trailing due to the tiebreaker. Anaheim also is one point ahead of the third-place Vegas Golden Knights (35-26-16, 87 points). All three clubs have five games remaining in the regular season. “We’ve got to figure it out now,” Ducks forward Leo Carlsson said of his team’s situation. “I know that we’re a good team, too. Just got to figure it out.” The Ducks are in a strong position to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in eight years, and their solid season has them looking for more. But instead of punching their ticket and pulling away in the battle for a division title, they have been hindered by porous defensive play at the wrong time of the season. Anaheim has surrendered 24 goals in its five-game skid. Against the Flames, the Ducks were victimized by a handful of breakaway chances allowed. “We’re missing a lot of different guys, that not necessarily are the scorers, but they were guys that were playing a real solid team game,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “That’s one thing we’ve got to tighten up, no matter who’s in the lineup.” The Ducks may receive one player back. Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body), who has missed four of the past five games due to injury, practiced on Monday. The Predators arrive in Anaheim also after being knocked out of a desired position in the Western Conference. . Nashville (36-31-10, 82 points) suffered a 3-2 shootout loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings (32-26-19, 83 points) on Monday, flipping the teams’ positions in the wild-card race with five games left. The Kings now hold the second wild card, with the Predators on the outside. Lurking one point back are the San Jose Sharks (37-32-7, 81 points), who have a game in hand with six games remaining. The only thing that is certain is that Anaheim and Nashville both need to bank as many points as possible. “It’s going to be another fun game,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette told the team’s website. “They’re probably pretty angry (with where) they’re at the last few games. It will be another playoff-type game, and I expect our group to be ready to go.” Predators captain Roman Josi said the Ducks are a challenge. “Anaheim is obviously one of those young, really fast teams and having a great season,” he said. “Every game is a playoff game. They’re fighting for their spot in their standings. We’re fighting for a playoff spot.” Nashville forward Steven Stamkos scored for a third consecutive game and eight times in nine outings, which gives him 39 on the season. The Ducks have won four straight meetings and six of the past seven clashes against the Predators. The teams meet again in Anaheim on April 16, the regular-season finale for both. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Slumping #Ducks #determined #figure #Predators

Deadspin | Slumping Ducks determined to ‘figure it out’ vs. Predators
Apr 4, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mikael Granlund (64) talks with ref during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

A five-game losing skid knocked the Anaheim Ducks from top spot in the Pacific Division and left them looking for answers as they prepare to host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

The Ducks (41-31-5, 87 points) were in the driver’s seat before a swoon that was extended with a 5-3 loss on Saturday to the Calgary Flames.

Instead of holding the upper hand in the final sprint to a division title, the Ducks sit second in the division, tied with the Edmonton Oilers (39-29-9, 87 points) but trailing due to the tiebreaker.

Anaheim also is one point ahead of the third-place Vegas Golden Knights (35-26-16, 87 points). All three clubs have five games remaining in the regular season.

“We’ve got to figure it out now,” Ducks forward Leo Carlsson said of his team’s situation. “I know that we’re a good team, too. Just got to figure it out.”

The Ducks are in a strong position to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in eight years, and their solid season has them looking for more.

But instead of punching their ticket and pulling away in the battle for a division title, they have been hindered by porous defensive play at the wrong time of the season.

Anaheim has surrendered 24 goals in its five-game skid. Against the Flames, the Ducks were victimized by a handful of breakaway chances allowed.

“We’re missing a lot of different guys, that not necessarily are the scorers, but they were guys that were playing a real solid team game,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “That’s one thing we’ve got to tighten up, no matter who’s in the lineup.”

The Ducks may receive one player back. Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body), who has missed four of the past five games due to injury, practiced on Monday.

The Predators arrive in Anaheim also after being knocked out of a desired position in the Western Conference. .

Nashville (36-31-10, 82 points) suffered a 3-2 shootout loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings (32-26-19, 83 points) on Monday, flipping the teams’ positions in the wild-card race with five games left. The Kings now hold the second wild card, with the Predators on the outside.

Lurking one point back are the San Jose Sharks (37-32-7, 81 points), who have a game in hand with six games remaining.

The only thing that is certain is that Anaheim and Nashville both need to bank as many points as possible.

“It’s going to be another fun game,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette told the team’s website. “They’re probably pretty angry (with where) they’re at the last few games. It will be another playoff-type game, and I expect our group to be ready to go.”

Predators captain Roman Josi said the Ducks are a challenge.

“Anaheim is obviously one of those young, really fast teams and having a great season,” he said.

“Every game is a playoff game. They’re fighting for their spot in their standings. We’re fighting for a playoff spot.”

Nashville forward Steven Stamkos scored for a third consecutive game and eight times in nine outings, which gives him 39 on the season.

The Ducks have won four straight meetings and six of the past seven clashes against the Predators. The teams meet again in Anaheim on April 16, the regular-season finale for both.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Slumping #Ducks #determined #figure #Predators

Sports news April 7, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mikael Granlund (64) talks with ref during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

A five-game losing skid knocked the Anaheim Ducks from top spot in the Pacific Division and left them looking for answers as they prepare to host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

The Ducks (41-31-5, 87 points) were in the driver’s seat before a swoon that was extended with a 5-3 loss on Saturday to the Calgary Flames.

Instead of holding the upper hand in the final sprint to a division title, the Ducks sit second in the division, tied with the Edmonton Oilers (39-29-9, 87 points) but trailing due to the tiebreaker.

Anaheim also is one point ahead of the third-place Vegas Golden Knights (35-26-16, 87 points). All three clubs have five games remaining in the regular season.

“We’ve got to figure it out now,” Ducks forward Leo Carlsson said of his team’s situation. “I know that we’re a good team, too. Just got to figure it out.”

The Ducks are in a strong position to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in eight years, and their solid season has them looking for more.

But instead of punching their ticket and pulling away in the battle for a division title, they have been hindered by porous defensive play at the wrong time of the season.

Anaheim has surrendered 24 goals in its five-game skid. Against the Flames, the Ducks were victimized by a handful of breakaway chances allowed.

“We’re missing a lot of different guys, that not necessarily are the scorers, but they were guys that were playing a real solid team game,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “That’s one thing we’ve got to tighten up, no matter who’s in the lineup.”

The Ducks may receive one player back. Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body), who has missed four of the past five games due to injury, practiced on Monday.

The Predators arrive in Anaheim also after being knocked out of a desired position in the Western Conference. .

Nashville (36-31-10, 82 points) suffered a 3-2 shootout loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings (32-26-19, 83 points) on Monday, flipping the teams’ positions in the wild-card race with five games left. The Kings now hold the second wild card, with the Predators on the outside.

Lurking one point back are the San Jose Sharks (37-32-7, 81 points), who have a game in hand with six games remaining.

The only thing that is certain is that Anaheim and Nashville both need to bank as many points as possible.

“It’s going to be another fun game,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette told the team’s website. “They’re probably pretty angry (with where) they’re at the last few games. It will be another playoff-type game, and I expect our group to be ready to go.”

Predators captain Roman Josi said the Ducks are a challenge.

“Anaheim is obviously one of those young, really fast teams and having a great season,” he said.

“Every game is a playoff game. They’re fighting for their spot in their standings. We’re fighting for a playoff spot.”

Nashville forward Steven Stamkos scored for a third consecutive game and eight times in nine outings, which gives him 39 on the season.

The Ducks have won four straight meetings and six of the past seven clashes against the Predators. The teams meet again in Anaheim on April 16, the regular-season finale for both.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Slumping #Ducks #determined #figure #Predators

IPL 2026: Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes Bumrah for two sixes in one over in first-ever meeting <div id="content-body-70835636" itemprop="articleBody">The much anticipated first clash between Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Jasprit Bumrah delivered.The match between the Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians in Guwahati was truncated to 11 overs a side following a delayed start due to rain.The young southpaw smoked the first ball he faced from the two-time World Cup winner over the long-on fence for six. The shot even elicited a smile out of India’s pace spearhead.After exchanging a couple of singles with opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryavanshi picked a slower ball from Bumrah and deposited it into the stands at midwicket.The opening pair brought up their fifty-run partnership in just 2.4 overs with all of MI’s bowling options bearing the brunt.Suryavanshi was eventually dismissed for 39 off 14 balls, after being caught at the deep against the bowling of Shardul Thakur.Published on Apr 07, 2026</div> #IPL #Vaibhav #Suryavanshi #smashes #Bumrah #sixes #firstever #meeting

#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">