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Kentucky Derby 2026: Odds, post positions, TV schedule, and more This weekend brings the first Saturday in May.Which means it is time for one of the biggest events on the annual sports calendar: the Kentucky Derby.This year’s field includes a horse on a commanding winning streak, and a favorite that will start in a rather unfavorable position following the post draw.Here is how, and what, to watch for in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.How to watch the 2026 Kentucky DerbyRace day begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2nd on the NBC family of networks, however, there are numerous races ahead of the main event.Starting at 12:00 p.m. ET, the event will be on NBCSN and Peacock until 2:30 p.m. ET. Then, at 2:30 p.m. ET, the Derby will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock until 7:30 p.m.You can also stream everything through Peacock starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.What are the odds for the race?These will change as we approach race time, but here are the current odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, as available from Churchill Downs, arranged by the post draw:PostHorseJockeyTrainerOddsStatus1RenegadeIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. Pletcher4-1In the field2AlbusManuel FrancoRiley Mott30-1In the field3IntrepidoHector I. BerriosJeff Mullins50-1In the field4Litmus TestMartin GarciaBob Baffert30-1In the field5Right to PartyChristopher ElliottKenneth G. Mcpeek26-1Scratched6CommandmentLuis SaezBrad H. Cox7-1In the field7Danon BourbonAtsuya NishimuraManabu Ikezoe14-1In the field8So HappyMike E. SmithMark Glatt6-1In the field9The PumaJavier CastellanoGustavo Delgado8-1In the field10Wonder DeanRyusei SakaiDaisuke Takayanagi20-1In the field11IncrediboltJaime A. TorresRiley Mott27-1In the field12Chief WallabeeJunior AlvaradoWilliam I. Mott9-1In the field13Silent TacticChristian A. TorresMark E. Casse38-1Scratched14PotenteJuan J. HernandezBob Baffert23-1In the field15Emerging MarketFlavlen PratChad C. Brown11-1In the field16PavlovianEdwin A. MaldonadoDoug F. O’Neill52-1In the field17Six SpeedBrian J. Hernandez, Jr.Bhupat Seemar40-1In the field18Further AdoJohn R. VelazquezBrad H. Cox7-1In the field19Golden TempoJose L. OrtizCherie Devaux36-1In the field20FulleffortTyler GaffalioneBrad H. Cox19-1Scratched21Great WhiteAlex AchardJohn Ennis29-1In the field22OcelliJoseph D. RamosD. Whitworth Beckman50-1In the field23RobustaEmisael JaramilloDoug F. O’Neill50-1In the fieldWho to watch in the Kentucky DerbyAs you can see in the above table, Renegade enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby as the favorite, but the Todd A. Pletcher-trained horse drew the inside #1 post, which could pose a problem on Saturday. The last horse to win from “the rail” was Ferdinand, which happened before many of you were alive back in 1986. Historically, just 8.3% of Kentucky Derby winners started in the #1 post.Commandment enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby on an incredible winning streak, as the 3-year-old colt has won four straight races. That includes the Florida Derby, an event that has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners. In that race, Commandment “averaged a 22.92-foot stride length and ran the final furlong in just 12.32 seconds, 0.36 seconds faster than any other horse in the field.”Further Ado is another horse to watch in this field. The horse, also trained by Brad H. Cox, Commandment’s trainer, secured a 20-length win at Keeneland last October, for its maiden victory. Add in Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, and you could have a winning recipe.As of Friday morning three horses — Right to Party, Silent Tactic, and Fulleffort — have been scratched from the field.Anything else I should know?If you are hosting a Derby Party you will need a few things. First, the perfect mint julep. Assuming you can find good mint, Alton Brown’s recipe and technique is a good recipe to follow. The Kentucky Derby also has a recipe you can follow.Second, you’ll need the right menu. The Kentucky Derby has shared the “Derby At Home” menu which includes chicken salad sandwiches, char-grilled short ribs with pomegranate and fennel, honey bourbon grilled chicken, brown sugar glazed carrots, and more. #Kentucky #Derby #Odds #post #positions #schedule

Kentucky Derby 2026: Odds, post positions, TV schedule, and more

This weekend brings the first Saturday in May.

Which means it is time for one of the biggest events on the annual sports calendar: the Kentucky Derby.

This year’s field includes a horse on a commanding winning streak, and a favorite that will start in a rather unfavorable position following the post draw.

Here is how, and what, to watch for in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Race day begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2nd on the NBC family of networks, however, there are numerous races ahead of the main event.

Starting at 12:00 p.m. ET, the event will be on NBCSN and Peacock until 2:30 p.m. ET. Then, at 2:30 p.m. ET, the Derby will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock until 7:30 p.m.

You can also stream everything through Peacock starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.

What are the odds for the race?

These will change as we approach race time, but here are the current odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, as available from Churchill Downs, arranged by the post draw:

Post

Horse

Jockey

Trainer

Odds

Status

1RenegadeIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. Pletcher4-1In the field
2AlbusManuel FrancoRiley Mott30-1In the field
3IntrepidoHector I. BerriosJeff Mullins50-1In the field
4Litmus TestMartin GarciaBob Baffert30-1In the field
5Right to PartyChristopher ElliottKenneth G. Mcpeek26-1Scratched
6CommandmentLuis SaezBrad H. Cox7-1In the field
7Danon BourbonAtsuya NishimuraManabu Ikezoe14-1In the field
8So HappyMike E. SmithMark Glatt6-1In the field
9The PumaJavier CastellanoGustavo Delgado8-1In the field
10Wonder DeanRyusei SakaiDaisuke Takayanagi20-1In the field
11IncrediboltJaime A. TorresRiley Mott27-1In the field
12Chief WallabeeJunior AlvaradoWilliam I. Mott9-1In the field
13Silent TacticChristian A. TorresMark E. Casse38-1Scratched
14PotenteJuan J. HernandezBob Baffert23-1In the field
15Emerging MarketFlavlen PratChad C. Brown11-1In the field
16PavlovianEdwin A. MaldonadoDoug F. O’Neill52-1In the field
17Six SpeedBrian J. Hernandez, Jr.Bhupat Seemar40-1In the field
18Further AdoJohn R. VelazquezBrad H. Cox7-1In the field
19Golden TempoJose L. OrtizCherie Devaux36-1In the field
20FulleffortTyler GaffalioneBrad H. Cox19-1Scratched
21Great WhiteAlex AchardJohn Ennis29-1In the field
22OcelliJoseph D. RamosD. Whitworth Beckman50-1In the field
23RobustaEmisael JaramilloDoug F. O’Neill50-1In the field

Who to watch in the Kentucky Derby

As you can see in the above table, Renegade enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby as the favorite, but the Todd A. Pletcher-trained horse drew the inside #1 post, which could pose a problem on Saturday. The last horse to win from “the rail” was Ferdinand, which happened before many of you were alive back in 1986. Historically, just 8.3% of Kentucky Derby winners started in the #1 post.

Commandment enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby on an incredible winning streak, as the 3-year-old colt has won four straight races. That includes the Florida Derby, an event that has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners. In that race, Commandment “averaged a 22.92-foot stride length and ran the final furlong in just 12.32 seconds, 0.36 seconds faster than any other horse in the field.”

Further Ado is another horse to watch in this field. The horse, also trained by Brad H. Cox, Commandment’s trainer, secured a 20-length win at Keeneland last October, for its maiden victory. Add in Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, and you could have a winning recipe.

As of Friday morning three horses — Right to Party, Silent Tactic, and Fulleffort — have been scratched from the field.

Anything else I should know?

If you are hosting a Derby Party you will need a few things. First, the perfect mint julep. Assuming you can find good mint, Alton Brown’s recipe and technique is a good recipe to follow. The Kentucky Derby also has a recipe you can follow.

Second, you’ll need the right menu. The Kentucky Derby has shared the “Derby At Home” menu which includes chicken salad sandwiches, char-grilled short ribs with pomegranate and fennel, honey bourbon grilled chicken, brown sugar glazed carrots, and more.

#Kentucky #Derby #Odds #post #positions #schedule

Sports news ,

This weekend brings the first Saturday in May.

Which means it is time for one of the biggest events on the annual sports calendar: the Kentucky Derby.

This year’s field includes a horse on a commanding winning streak, and a favorite that will start in a rather unfavorable position following the post draw.

Here is how, and what, to watch for in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Race day begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2nd on the NBC family of networks, however, there are numerous races ahead of the main event.

Starting at 12:00 p.m. ET, the event will be on NBCSN and Peacock until 2:30 p.m. ET. Then, at 2:30 p.m. ET, the Derby will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock until 7:30 p.m.

You can also stream everything through Peacock starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.

What are the odds for the race?

These will change as we approach race time, but here are the current odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, as available from Churchill Downs, arranged by the post draw:

Post

Horse

Jockey

Trainer

Odds

Status
1 Renegade Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher 4-1 In the field
2 Albus Manuel Franco Riley Mott 30-1 In the field
3 Intrepido Hector I. Berrios Jeff Mullins 50-1 In the field
4 Litmus Test Martin Garcia Bob Baffert 30-1 In the field
5 Right to Party Christopher Elliott Kenneth G. Mcpeek 26-1 Scratched
6 Commandment Luis Saez Brad H. Cox 7-1 In the field
7 Danon Bourbon Atsuya Nishimura Manabu Ikezoe 14-1 In the field
8 So Happy Mike E. Smith Mark Glatt 6-1 In the field
9 The Puma Javier Castellano Gustavo Delgado 8-1 In the field
10 Wonder Dean Ryusei Sakai Daisuke Takayanagi 20-1 In the field
11 Incredibolt Jaime A. Torres Riley Mott 27-1 In the field
12 Chief Wallabee Junior Alvarado William I. Mott 9-1 In the field
13 Silent Tactic Christian A. Torres Mark E. Casse 38-1 Scratched
14 Potente Juan J. Hernandez Bob Baffert 23-1 In the field
15 Emerging Market Flavlen Prat Chad C. Brown 11-1 In the field
16 Pavlovian Edwin A. Maldonado Doug F. O’Neill 52-1 In the field
17 Six Speed Brian J. Hernandez, Jr. Bhupat Seemar 40-1 In the field
18 Further Ado John R. Velazquez Brad H. Cox 7-1 In the field
19 Golden Tempo Jose L. Ortiz Cherie Devaux 36-1 In the field
20 Fulleffort Tyler Gaffalione Brad H. Cox 19-1 Scratched
21 Great White Alex Achard John Ennis 29-1 In the field
22 Ocelli Joseph D. Ramos D. Whitworth Beckman 50-1 In the field
23 Robusta Emisael Jaramillo Doug F. O’Neill 50-1 In the field

Who to watch in the Kentucky Derby

As you can see in the above table, Renegade enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby as the favorite, but the Todd A. Pletcher-trained horse drew the inside #1 post, which could pose a problem on Saturday. The last horse to win from “the rail” was Ferdinand, which happened before many of you were alive back in 1986. Historically, just 8.3% of Kentucky Derby winners started in the #1 post.

Commandment enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby on an incredible winning streak, as the 3-year-old colt has won four straight races. That includes the Florida Derby, an event that has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners. In that race, Commandment “averaged a 22.92-foot stride length and ran the final furlong in just 12.32 seconds, 0.36 seconds faster than any other horse in the field.”

Further Ado is another horse to watch in this field. The horse, also trained by Brad H. Cox, Commandment’s trainer, secured a 20-length win at Keeneland last October, for its maiden victory. Add in Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, and you could have a winning recipe.

As of Friday morning three horses — Right to Party, Silent Tactic, and Fulleffort — have been scratched from the field.

Anything else I should know?

If you are hosting a Derby Party you will need a few things. First, the perfect mint julep. Assuming you can find good mint, Alton Brown’s recipe and technique is a good recipe to follow. The Kentucky Derby also has a recipe you can follow.

Second, you’ll need the right menu. The Kentucky Derby has shared the “Derby At Home” menu which includes chicken salad sandwiches, char-grilled short ribs with pomegranate and fennel, honey bourbon grilled chicken, brown sugar glazed carrots, and more.

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#Kentucky #Derby #Odds #post #positions #schedule

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CSK vs MI, IPL 2026: Head-to-head record, most runs, wickets ahead of Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians <div id="content-body-70927627" itemprop="articleBody"><p>The two most successful teams in the IPL will face off once again as Chennai Super Kings take on Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, May 2.</p><p>CSK hammered MI by 103 runs at the reverse fixture at the Wankhede Stadium just over a week ago. Tonight’s clash assumes a lot of importance as both teams desperately need a win to stay alive in the competition.</p><p>MI holds a slight edge in the head to head record. In 40 matches, MI has won 21 times while CSK has won 19 times.</p><p>Rohit Sharma, who has been sidelined due to injury with no clarity on his return date, is the highest run scorer in CSK vs MI matches with 881 runs. Dwayne Bravo is the highest wicket taker with 35 scalps.</p><p>Here are the complete stats and head-to-head numbers you need to know before the CSK vs MI IPL 2026 match:</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> CSK vs MI head-to-head record in the IPL </h5><p> Matches played- 40 </p><p> MI won- 21 </p><p> CSK won- 19 </p></div><p><b>Most runs in CSK vs MI matches in the IPL</b></p><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Player</td><td> Innings</td><td> Runs</td><td> Average</td><td> Strike Rate</td><td> HS</td></tr><tr><td> Rohit Sharma</td><td> 30</td><td> 881</td><td> 33.88</td><td> 134.29</td><td> 105*</td></tr><tr><td> Suresh Raina</td><td> 30</td><td> 710</td><td> 29.58</td><td> 141.71</td><td> 83*</td></tr><tr><td> MS Dhoni</td><td> 33</td><td> 679</td><td> 35.73</td><td> 134.45</td><td> 63*</td></tr><tr><td> Ambati Rayudu</td><td> 31</td><td> 658</td><td> 27.41</td><td> 127.51</td><td> 72*</td></tr><tr><td> Kieron Pollard</td><td> 23</td><td> 583</td><td> 36.43</td><td> 171.97</td><td> 87*</td></tr></table></div><p><b>Most wickets in CSK vs MI matches in the IPL</b></p><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Player</td><td> Innings</td><td> Wickets</td><td> Average </td><td> Economy Rate</td><td> BBI</td></tr><tr><td> Dwayne Bravo</td><td> 22</td><td> 35</td><td> 21.05</td><td> 8.23</td><td> 4/42</td></tr><tr><td> Lasith Malinga</td><td> 21</td><td> 31</td><td> 19.03</td><td> 7.23</td><td> 4/37</td></tr><tr><td> Harbhajan Singh</td><td> 26</td><td> 26</td><td> 23.61</td><td> 6.47</td><td> 5/18</td></tr><tr><td> Ravindra Jadeja</td><td> 28</td><td> 21</td><td> 31.09</td><td> 8.37</td><td> 3/20</td></tr><tr><td> Mohit Sharma</td><td> 11</td><td> 15</td><td> 21.33</td><td> 8.06</td><td> 4/14</td></tr></table></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on May 02, 2026</p></div> #CSK #IPL #Headtohead #record #runs #wickets #ahead #Chennai #Super #Kings #Mumbai #Indians

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Deadspin | Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey arrested on fake ID, alcohol charges <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-900/27899025.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/27899025.jpg" alt="NCAA Football: Rate Bowl-Minnesota vs New Mexico" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Minnesota starting quarterback Drake Lindsey was arrested Friday for allegedly using a fake ID and for possessing alcohol as a minor.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The arrest took place in Lindsey’s native Arkansas, where Fayetteville police responded to a call from a bar in town about a possible fake identification.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Per a preliminary police report, the 20-year-old Lindsey admitted to owning the ID and said he drank alcohol before going to the bar.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>He spent about seven hours in the Washington County Detention Center and posted a $470 bond, according to outlets that viewed detention records. He has district court hearings set for June 1 and June 29.</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>A Minnesota spokesperson told ESPN that the university is “aware of the situation and will address it internally.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Lindsey was the Golden Gophers’ starting quarterback as a freshman last season and set a program record for wins by a freshman QB with eight. He threw for 2,382 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions on 63.2% passing.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Minnesota #Drake #Lindsey #arrested #fake #alcohol #charges

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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

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