×
How IBM is helping fans master the Masters experience Everything about the annual playing of the Masters Tournament is a 10 out of 10. This is in no way breaking news to golf fans as Augusta National’s reputation for its pristine quality speaks for itself and has for generations.While there is perfect, the concept of Masters Perfect is something that people associated with the first full week in April are chasing alongside it as well. This is a notion that I spoke about a few weeks back with Kameryn Stanhouse, one of the top minds at IBM charged with the overall strategy of executing manners in a Masters Perfect manner.IBM was kind enough to have yours truly out at the Masters early this week for a close-up look at how they pull off Masters Perfect quality with such ease in everything they do around the tournament.The Masters app is an insane experienceOne of the more iconic elements of the Masters, there are admittedly a lot, is their world-renowned app. The Masters app is the best app in sports which is a remarkable achievement given that it is used, in its primary sense, for only a single week out of the year.IBM powers the app and in 2026 debuted some serious changes that are centered around watsonx AI-powered capabilities. This year marks the 90th Masters and IBM’s 30th with the Tournament so it makes sense for such an occasion to break new ground.Within the Masters app fans can accomplish a variety of things.The Masters Vault has long allowed for the ability to watch Final Rounds from broadcasts of the past (1968 through the present), but now fans can search for specific shots thanks to the AI technology.You can search for things in whatever manner you’d like. General terms. Conversational tone. The tech is powerful beyond your wildest dreams and within a second will answer your beck and call, a wonderful addition to the Masters Vault as it already was.This year marks the third in which IBM powers ‘Hole Insights’ for the Masters. Given that the Tournament takes place on the same grounds every year, the technology within Augusta National and IBM at large are able to produce any kind of statistic that is relevant to current or past happenings.Data is being captured across literally every inch of Augusta National. This phenomenon was explained in an incredible presentation by IBM that I was able to be a part of while on property.Consider that the moment a ball comes to rest at Augusta that its exact coordinates are captured and compared against historical data for that hole location (there are 30 data points for every shot). Watsonx is then able to calculate the probabilities of making a specific sore and provides the ‘Hole Insight’ as a result of that analysis.IBM is comparing the present to the past for historical context in this sense which is why the results are so incredible and fascinating. The technology is robust, but even then so is the context as the iconic Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay helped advise the team behind all of this in an effort to deliver the most accurate and context-rich analysis possible.The second photo in those above was the one that stood out to me the most, and IBM was able to provide a higher-quality look at something that deserves your attention. Their 3D model of Augusta National (which they built) shows every shot hit during the Masters over the last 10 years. These are the data points and variables driving the insights in question that are accessible within the Masters app.IBMThere are over 200,000 shots in this data set. The ones we will never forget. The ones that won a specific Masters (and lost). It is an immense amount of information and context that is in the hands of golf fans for the best week of the year all thanks to IBM and the Masters app.As the technology was explained to me, during my own walks throughout Augusta National, while I stood in line to get the merchandise everyone loves, and when the Georgia Peach ice cream sandwiches in my hand I kept thinking about what Kameryn Stanhouse told me about the idea of “Masters Perfect.”Kameryn’s point in our initial chat, she provided all the more insight during this process as noted, was that IBM is driven by achieving that quality. Perfect isn’t enough. Because perfect isn’t enough for the Masters.Masters Perfect is the standard and IBM lives up to it in every single capacity. We will all enjoy this week all the more thanks to the hard work and advancement in technology that their company has made.That is what Masters Perfect is all about. #IBM #helping #fans #master #Masters #experience

How IBM is helping fans master the Masters experience

Everything about the annual playing of the Masters Tournament is a 10 out of 10. This is in no way breaking news to golf fans as Augusta National’s reputation for its pristine quality speaks for itself and has for generations.

While there is perfect, the concept of Masters Perfect is something that people associated with the first full week in April are chasing alongside it as well. This is a notion that I spoke about a few weeks back with Kameryn Stanhouse, one of the top minds at IBM charged with the overall strategy of executing manners in a Masters Perfect manner.

IBM was kind enough to have yours truly out at the Masters early this week for a close-up look at how they pull off Masters Perfect quality with such ease in everything they do around the tournament.

The Masters app is an insane experience

One of the more iconic elements of the Masters, there are admittedly a lot, is their world-renowned app. The Masters app is the best app in sports which is a remarkable achievement given that it is used, in its primary sense, for only a single week out of the year.

IBM powers the app and in 2026 debuted some serious changes that are centered around watsonx AI-powered capabilities. This year marks the 90th Masters and IBM’s 30th with the Tournament so it makes sense for such an occasion to break new ground.

Within the Masters app fans can accomplish a variety of things.

The Masters Vault has long allowed for the ability to watch Final Rounds from broadcasts of the past (1968 through the present), but now fans can search for specific shots thanks to the AI technology.

You can search for things in whatever manner you’d like. General terms. Conversational tone. The tech is powerful beyond your wildest dreams and within a second will answer your beck and call, a wonderful addition to the Masters Vault as it already was.

This year marks the third in which IBM powers ‘Hole Insights’ for the Masters. Given that the Tournament takes place on the same grounds every year, the technology within Augusta National and IBM at large are able to produce any kind of statistic that is relevant to current or past happenings.

Data is being captured across literally every inch of Augusta National. This phenomenon was explained in an incredible presentation by IBM that I was able to be a part of while on property.

Consider that the moment a ball comes to rest at Augusta that its exact coordinates are captured and compared against historical data for that hole location (there are 30 data points for every shot). Watsonx is then able to calculate the probabilities of making a specific sore and provides the ‘Hole Insight’ as a result of that analysis.

IBM is comparing the present to the past for historical context in this sense which is why the results are so incredible and fascinating. The technology is robust, but even then so is the context as the iconic Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay helped advise the team behind all of this in an effort to deliver the most accurate and context-rich analysis possible.

The second photo in those above was the one that stood out to me the most, and IBM was able to provide a higher-quality look at something that deserves your attention. Their 3D model of Augusta National (which they built) shows every shot hit during the Masters over the last 10 years. These are the data points and variables driving the insights in question that are accessible within the Masters app.

IBM

There are over 200,000 shots in this data set. The ones we will never forget. The ones that won a specific Masters (and lost). It is an immense amount of information and context that is in the hands of golf fans for the best week of the year all thanks to IBM and the Masters app.

As the technology was explained to me, during my own walks throughout Augusta National, while I stood in line to get the merchandise everyone loves, and when the Georgia Peach ice cream sandwiches in my hand I kept thinking about what Kameryn Stanhouse told me about the idea of “Masters Perfect.”

Kameryn’s point in our initial chat, she provided all the more insight during this process as noted, was that IBM is driven by achieving that quality. Perfect isn’t enough. Because perfect isn’t enough for the Masters.

Masters Perfect is the standard and IBM lives up to it in every single capacity. We will all enjoy this week all the more thanks to the hard work and advancement in technology that their company has made.

That is what Masters Perfect is all about.

#IBM #helping #fans #master #Masters #experience

Sports news

Everything about the annual playing of the Masters Tournament is a 10 out of 10. This is in no way breaking news to golf fans as Augusta National’s reputation for its pristine quality speaks for itself and has for generations.

While there is perfect, the concept of Masters Perfect is something that people associated with the first full week in April are chasing alongside it as well. This is a notion that I spoke about a few weeks back with Kameryn Stanhouse, one of the top minds at IBM charged with the overall strategy of executing manners in a Masters Perfect manner.

IBM was kind enough to have yours truly out at the Masters early this week for a close-up look at how they pull off Masters Perfect quality with such ease in everything they do around the tournament.

The Masters app is an insane experience

One of the more iconic elements of the Masters, there are admittedly a lot, is their world-renowned app. The Masters app is the best app in sports which is a remarkable achievement given that it is used, in its primary sense, for only a single week out of the year.

IBM powers the app and in 2026 debuted some serious changes that are centered around watsonx AI-powered capabilities. This year marks the 90th Masters and IBM’s 30th with the Tournament so it makes sense for such an occasion to break new ground.

Within the Masters app fans can accomplish a variety of things.

The Masters Vault has long allowed for the ability to watch Final Rounds from broadcasts of the past (1968 through the present), but now fans can search for specific shots thanks to the AI technology.

You can search for things in whatever manner you’d like. General terms. Conversational tone. The tech is powerful beyond your wildest dreams and within a second will answer your beck and call, a wonderful addition to the Masters Vault as it already was.

This year marks the third in which IBM powers ‘Hole Insights’ for the Masters. Given that the Tournament takes place on the same grounds every year, the technology within Augusta National and IBM at large are able to produce any kind of statistic that is relevant to current or past happenings.

Data is being captured across literally every inch of Augusta National. This phenomenon was explained in an incredible presentation by IBM that I was able to be a part of while on property.

Consider that the moment a ball comes to rest at Augusta that its exact coordinates are captured and compared against historical data for that hole location (there are 30 data points for every shot). Watsonx is then able to calculate the probabilities of making a specific sore and provides the ‘Hole Insight’ as a result of that analysis.

IBM is comparing the present to the past for historical context in this sense which is why the results are so incredible and fascinating. The technology is robust, but even then so is the context as the iconic Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay helped advise the team behind all of this in an effort to deliver the most accurate and context-rich analysis possible.

The second photo in those above was the one that stood out to me the most, and IBM was able to provide a higher-quality look at something that deserves your attention. Their 3D model of Augusta National (which they built) shows every shot hit during the Masters over the last 10 years. These are the data points and variables driving the insights in question that are accessible within the Masters app.

IBM

There are over 200,000 shots in this data set. The ones we will never forget. The ones that won a specific Masters (and lost). It is an immense amount of information and context that is in the hands of golf fans for the best week of the year all thanks to IBM and the Masters app.

As the technology was explained to me, during my own walks throughout Augusta National, while I stood in line to get the merchandise everyone loves, and when the Georgia Peach ice cream sandwiches in my hand I kept thinking about what Kameryn Stanhouse told me about the idea of “Masters Perfect.”

Kameryn’s point in our initial chat, she provided all the more insight during this process as noted, was that IBM is driven by achieving that quality. Perfect isn’t enough. Because perfect isn’t enough for the Masters.

Masters Perfect is the standard and IBM lives up to it in every single capacity. We will all enjoy this week all the more thanks to the hard work and advancement in technology that their company has made.

That is what Masters Perfect is all about.

Source link
#IBM #helping #fans #master #Masters #experience

Tag
Previous post

Buddy the Elf Revolving Door Excited Reaction – Reaction GIFs

Next post

Deadspin | Oklahoma State softball bus involved in fatal accident <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28352071.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28352071.jpg" alt="Syndication: The Oklahoman" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Oklahoma State celebrates with fans following the college softball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowgirls and the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday Feb. 26, 2026.<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>A bus ferrying the Oklahoma State softball team to Kansas struck and killed a 62-year-old pedestrian, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The accident occurred near Perry, Okla., on Wednesday afternoon as the team was en route to Wichita, Kan., in advance of a night game against Wichita State. In a brief statement, the university said no one from the Oklahoma State traveling party was hurt.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-3"> <p>The Cowgirls’ game was postponed. They are scheduled to play a three-game weekend series against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, beginning Friday.</p> </section> <section id="section-4"> <p>The highway patrol said it had received a report of a woman darting in and out of traffic on Interstate 35. In less than a minute, a second call came from a different driver reporting that a woman had been hit.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The woman has yet to be identified.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Oklahoma #State #softball #bus #involved #fatal #accident

Related Posts

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 #homePro 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

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">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai 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 BhaskerTiruppur 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 NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

Post Comment