Deadspin | Stars aren’t panicking after Wild’s hot start to playoff series Apr 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) celebrates center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images After a blowout loss to open the playoffs, the Dallas Stars have chosen calm over crisis. Another poor showing could change things in a hurry. Dallas will look to even its best-of-seven series against visiting Minnesota at one victory apiece when the teams face off Monday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. The Wild grabbed a 1-0 series lead after cruising to a 6-1 win on Saturday. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan rewatched the game before practice Sunday. He said the team’s breakdowns had more to do with execution than effort level. “We have looked a little bit offensively at how we can create a little bit more, but we just didn’t execute in a lot of areas, starting right from breakouts to through the neutral zone,” Gulutzan said. “And when we did get out clean, we didn’t make the next play. … “We weren’t connected. We didn’t stack any good plays upon good plays on each other at all. That was the thing. We had some opportunity at times to do that, and we never executed. Every part of our game needs to be a little bit better on Monday.” Gulutzan quickly squashed any notion that he would make a goaltending change in Game 2. Starter Jake Oettinger allowed five goals on 28 shots in the series opener, but Gulutzan expressed full confidence in him and said there was no point in overreacting. Again, Gulutzan said the film showed no reason to panic. “I didn’t see anything there (suggesting to replace Oettinger),” Gulutzan said. “I saw more of a team play thing that we can all be a little bit better from every guy. There are some nights any team in the league can look at their goalie and go, ‘Oh man, that was a goalie (loss).’ But (Game 1) wasn’t one of them. … “We don’t want to mix and match too much. We lost Game 1, we’ve got to bounce back. Like I keep saying, there weren’t any guys at the top of their game (Saturday). I fully expect this group to be better (Monday).” Meanwhile, Minnesota knows it has a chance to seize a 2-0 lead on the road. Everything worked well for the Wild in Game 1, including a stellar performance from goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in his playoff debut. Wallstedt said he enjoyed playing in the spotlight. Look for him to get the call again in Game 2 ahead of veteran teammate Filip Gustavsson, who started the majority of the team’s games in the regular season. “This is the same game I’ve played since I was 6,” Wallstedt said. “There’s nothing different to it.” It also helps a goaltender when his offense scores a half-dozen goals to support him. Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek will aim to stay hot in Game 2 after scoring two goals apiece in the series opener. Kirill Kaprizov added a goal and two assists, and Mats Zuccarello picked up three assists. But Zuccarello offered a similar perspective as his opponents’ coach entering Monday. Keep calm. Do not overreact to a single game. “Every game lives its own life,” Zuccarello said. “It’s always nice to get a win, start off positive, but just stay even-keel and try to focus on the next one.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stars #arent #panicking #Wilds #hot #start #playoff #series

Deadspin | Stars aren’t panicking after Wild’s hot start to playoff series
Apr 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) celebrates center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

After a blowout loss to open the playoffs, the Dallas Stars have chosen calm over crisis.

Another poor showing could change things in a hurry.

Dallas will look to even its best-of-seven series against visiting Minnesota at one victory apiece when the teams face off Monday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. The Wild grabbed a 1-0 series lead after cruising to a 6-1 win on Saturday.

Stars coach Glen Gulutzan rewatched the game before practice Sunday. He said the team’s breakdowns had more to do with execution than effort level.

“We have looked a little bit offensively at how we can create a little bit more, but we just didn’t execute in a lot of areas, starting right from breakouts to through the neutral zone,” Gulutzan said. “And when we did get out clean, we didn’t make the next play. …

“We weren’t connected. We didn’t stack any good plays upon good plays on each other at all. That was the thing. We had some opportunity at times to do that, and we never executed. Every part of our game needs to be a little bit better on Monday.”

Gulutzan quickly squashed any notion that he would make a goaltending change in Game 2. Starter Jake Oettinger allowed five goals on 28 shots in the series opener, but Gulutzan expressed full confidence in him and said there was no point in overreacting.

Again, Gulutzan said the film showed no reason to panic.

“I didn’t see anything there (suggesting to replace Oettinger),” Gulutzan said. “I saw more of a team play thing that we can all be a little bit better from every guy. There are some nights any team in the league can look at their goalie and go, ‘Oh man, that was a goalie (loss).’ But (Game 1) wasn’t one of them. …

“We don’t want to mix and match too much. We lost Game 1, we’ve got to bounce back. Like I keep saying, there weren’t any guys at the top of their game (Saturday). I fully expect this group to be better (Monday).”

Meanwhile, Minnesota knows it has a chance to seize a 2-0 lead on the road. Everything worked well for the Wild in Game 1, including a stellar performance from goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in his playoff debut.

Wallstedt said he enjoyed playing in the spotlight. Look for him to get the call again in Game 2 ahead of veteran teammate Filip Gustavsson, who started the majority of the team’s games in the regular season.

“This is the same game I’ve played since I was 6,” Wallstedt said. “There’s nothing different to it.”

It also helps a goaltender when his offense scores a half-dozen goals to support him.

Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek will aim to stay hot in Game 2 after scoring two goals apiece in the series opener. Kirill Kaprizov added a goal and two assists, and Mats Zuccarello picked up three assists.

But Zuccarello offered a similar perspective as his opponents’ coach entering Monday.

Keep calm. Do not overreact to a single game.

“Every game lives its own life,” Zuccarello said. “It’s always nice to get a win, start off positive, but just stay even-keel and try to focus on the next one.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stars #arent #panicking #Wilds #hot #start #playoff #series

Sports news April 20, 2026

Apr 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) celebrates center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

After a blowout loss to open the playoffs, the Dallas Stars have chosen calm over crisis.

Another poor showing could change things in a hurry.

Dallas will look to even its best-of-seven series against visiting Minnesota at one victory apiece when the teams face off Monday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. The Wild grabbed a 1-0 series lead after cruising to a 6-1 win on Saturday.

Stars coach Glen Gulutzan rewatched the game before practice Sunday. He said the team’s breakdowns had more to do with execution than effort level.

“We have looked a little bit offensively at how we can create a little bit more, but we just didn’t execute in a lot of areas, starting right from breakouts to through the neutral zone,” Gulutzan said. “And when we did get out clean, we didn’t make the next play. …

“We weren’t connected. We didn’t stack any good plays upon good plays on each other at all. That was the thing. We had some opportunity at times to do that, and we never executed. Every part of our game needs to be a little bit better on Monday.”

Gulutzan quickly squashed any notion that he would make a goaltending change in Game 2. Starter Jake Oettinger allowed five goals on 28 shots in the series opener, but Gulutzan expressed full confidence in him and said there was no point in overreacting.

Again, Gulutzan said the film showed no reason to panic.

“I didn’t see anything there (suggesting to replace Oettinger),” Gulutzan said. “I saw more of a team play thing that we can all be a little bit better from every guy. There are some nights any team in the league can look at their goalie and go, ‘Oh man, that was a goalie (loss).’ But (Game 1) wasn’t one of them. …

“We don’t want to mix and match too much. We lost Game 1, we’ve got to bounce back. Like I keep saying, there weren’t any guys at the top of their game (Saturday). I fully expect this group to be better (Monday).”

Meanwhile, Minnesota knows it has a chance to seize a 2-0 lead on the road. Everything worked well for the Wild in Game 1, including a stellar performance from goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in his playoff debut.

Wallstedt said he enjoyed playing in the spotlight. Look for him to get the call again in Game 2 ahead of veteran teammate Filip Gustavsson, who started the majority of the team’s games in the regular season.

“This is the same game I’ve played since I was 6,” Wallstedt said. “There’s nothing different to it.”

It also helps a goaltender when his offense scores a half-dozen goals to support him.

Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek will aim to stay hot in Game 2 after scoring two goals apiece in the series opener. Kirill Kaprizov added a goal and two assists, and Mats Zuccarello picked up three assists.

But Zuccarello offered a similar perspective as his opponents’ coach entering Monday.

Keep calm. Do not overreact to a single game.

“Every game lives its own life,” Zuccarello said. “It’s always nice to get a win, start off positive, but just stay even-keel and try to focus on the next one.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Stars #arent #panicking #Wilds #hot #start #playoff #series

Crowd-puller Nick Kyrgios confirms Halle Open participation <div id="content-body-70884597" itemprop="articleBody">Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who has not played a competitive singles match since January, will ‌take part in this year’s Halle grasscourt tournament in June, ⁠organisers said on Monday.The 30-year-old, who has struggled for years with a series of wrist ‌and knee injuries, is a major crowd-puller but does not ‌have a singles ranking at the ‌moment. ⁠The Halle tournament is a ⁠traditional warm-up event for Wimbledon.The Australian’s only singles match of the year was a straight-sets first-round ‌loss to American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Brisbane in January.Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, has played just ‌seven singles matches between January 2023 and April 2026.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tennis/rybakina-vs-muchova-score-highlights-stuttgart-open-2026-final-winner/article70881029.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026</a>“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most ⁠dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in ‌a statement.“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity. At the same time, his emotional personality ‌and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond the sport,” they added.Kyrgios had said earlier this year he would compete in ⁠several grasscourt events, skipping the clay season ⁠that precedes them. The Halle tournament will be held from June ‌13 to 21.Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, starts on June 29.Published on Apr 20, 2026</div> #Crowdpuller #Nick #Kyrgios #confirms #Halle #Open #participation

#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">