Masters Betting Picks 2026: Best Value Bets Beyond Scottie Scheffler | Deadspin.com Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler holds up his trophy at the green jacket ceremony after winning the Masters Tournament. credits: Adam Cairns, Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK Prior to some chalky finishes the last two years at the Master’s, it wasn’t too shocking to see some heavy underdogs walk away with a green jacket. In 2021, Hideki Mastuyama was +5000 to win the tournament, good for 24th best at the start of the week.Unlike recent years, I don’t love how the golfers at the top of the odds list have been playing. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, is +500 to win, but hasn’t been as dominant in recent tournaments, so I think that opens the board up to some shakeups at the top of the leaderboards. Of course, betting against Scottie the last few years hasn’t been the wisest strategy, but there are some guys with juiced odds to win.Since leaving for and returning from LIV, Brooks Koepka has not been playing at an elite level; however, he has shown some signs of life over the last month. He’s had three top-20 finishes since the start of March, and will be looking to get one step closer to the career Grand Slam. Anytime you can get a five-time major winner who’s still only 35-years-old at +4000 to win, it’s very solid value.It’s always great to bet on proven commodities, but another important factor to winning in Augusta is playing well going into the event. Over the last decade, the Masters has been won seven times by a golfer who has won at least once that season leading up to the event. Here are the eleven players who have won and will be attending the Masters this week.Chris Gotterup (x2): +6000Scottie Scheffler: +500Justin Rose: +2700Colin Morikawa: +3500Jacob Bridgeman: +8000Nico Echavarría: +25000Akshay Bhatia: +6500Cameron Young: +2200Matt Fitzpatrick: +1800Gary Woodland: +10000J.J. Spaun: +7000 Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Cam Young and Matt Fitzpatrick are the trendy picks to win this week, and I don’t mind betting on Fitzpatrick, but two other guys on this list really stand out to me.Chris Gotterup and J.J. Spaun have been playing some great golf recently and are the 11th and 5th-highest-ranked golfers, respectively, in the World Golf Rankings. Spaun has had an up-and-down 2026, but will be entering this weekend coming off his first win of the season. He won the US Open last season, proving he can win under tough conditions, yet he only has the 29th-best odds to win this year? That feels like a solid value play.Then with Gotterup, he’s been one of the best players in the world in 2026. He has two wins on tour this year, and another top-10 finish to go along with those wins. He’s 5th in the FedEx point standings, and is probably my favorite bet to win this week at +6000. My only concern with Gotterup is that this is his first Master’s appearance, and no player has won their first appearance since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Betting #Picks #Bets #Scottie #Scheffler #Deadspin.com

Masters Betting Picks 2026: Best Value Bets Beyond Scottie Scheffler | Deadspin.com
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler holds up his trophy at the green jacket ceremony after winning the Masters Tournament. credits: Adam Cairns, Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK

Prior to some chalky finishes the last two years at the Master’s, it wasn’t too shocking to see some heavy underdogs walk away with a green jacket. In 2021, Hideki Mastuyama was +5000 to win the tournament, good for 24th best at the start of the week.
Unlike recent years, I don’t love how the golfers at the top of the odds list have been playing. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, is +500 to win, but hasn’t been as dominant in recent tournaments, so I think that opens the board up to some shakeups at the top of the leaderboards. Of course, betting against Scottie the last few years hasn’t been the wisest strategy, but there are some guys with juiced odds to win.
Since leaving for and returning from LIV, Brooks Koepka has not been playing at an elite level; however, he has shown some signs of life over the last month. He’s had three top-20 finishes since the start of March, and will be looking to get one step closer to the career Grand Slam. Anytime you can get a five-time major winner who’s still only 35-years-old at +4000 to win, it’s very solid value.
It’s always great to bet on proven commodities, but another important factor to winning in Augusta is playing well going into the event.
Over the last decade, the Masters has been won seven times by a golfer who has won at least once that season leading up to the event.
Here are the eleven players who have won and will be attending the Masters this week.
Chris Gotterup (x2): +6000
Scottie Scheffler: +500
Justin Rose: +2700
Colin Morikawa: +3500
Jacob Bridgeman: +8000
Nico Echavarría: +25000
Akshay Bhatia: +6500
Cameron Young: +2200
Matt Fitzpatrick: +1800
Gary Woodland: +10000
J.J. Spaun: +7000

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Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
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Cam Young and Matt Fitzpatrick are the trendy picks to win this week, and I don’t mind betting on Fitzpatrick, but two other guys on this list really stand out to me.
Chris Gotterup and J.J. Spaun have been playing some great golf recently and are the 11th and 5th-highest-ranked golfers, respectively, in the World Golf Rankings. Spaun has had an up-and-down 2026, but will be entering this weekend coming off his first win of the season. He won the US Open last season, proving he can win under tough conditions, yet he only has the 29th-best odds to win this year? That feels like a solid value play.
Then with Gotterup, he’s been one of the best players in the world in 2026.
He has two wins on tour this year, and another top-10 finish to go along with those wins. He’s 5th in the FedEx point standings, and is probably my favorite bet to win this week at +6000. My only concern with Gotterup is that this is his first Master’s appearance, and no player has won their first appearance since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

Our Current Best Offers
1
Underdog
Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
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2
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#Masters #Betting #Picks #Bets #Scottie #Scheffler #Deadspin.com

Sports news April 7, 2026

Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler holds up his trophy at the green jacket ceremony after winning the Masters Tournament. credits: Adam Cairns, Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK

Prior to some chalky finishes the last two years at the Master’s, it wasn’t too shocking to see some heavy underdogs walk away with a green jacket. In 2021, Hideki Mastuyama was +5000 to win the tournament, good for 24th best at the start of the week.

Unlike recent years, I don’t love how the golfers at the top of the odds list have been playing. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, is +500 to win, but hasn’t been as dominant in recent tournaments, so I think that opens the board up to some shakeups at the top of the leaderboards. Of course, betting against Scottie the last few years hasn’t been the wisest strategy, but there are some guys with juiced odds to win.

Since leaving for and returning from LIV, Brooks Koepka has not been playing at an elite level; however, he has shown some signs of life over the last month. He’s had three top-20 finishes since the start of March, and will be looking to get one step closer to the career Grand Slam. Anytime you can get a five-time major winner who’s still only 35-years-old at +4000 to win, it’s very solid value.

It’s always great to bet on proven commodities, but another important factor to winning in Augusta is playing well going into the event.

Over the last decade, the Masters has been won seven times by a golfer who has won at least once that season leading up to the event.

Here are the eleven players who have won and will be attending the Masters this week.

Chris Gotterup (x2): +6000
Scottie Scheffler: +500
Justin Rose: +2700
Colin Morikawa: +3500
Jacob Bridgeman: +8000
Nico Echavarría: +25000
Akshay Bhatia: +6500
Cameron Young: +2200
Matt Fitzpatrick: +1800
Gary Woodland: +10000
J.J. Spaun: +7000

Our Current Best Offers

Underdog

Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!

T&Cs apply, 18+

ParlayPlay

100% up to $100

T&Cs apply, 18+

OwnersBox

100% up to $500

T&Cs apply, 18+

FanDuel Fantasy

$65 value with just a $10+ deposit

T&Cs apply, 18+

Cam Young and Matt Fitzpatrick are the trendy picks to win this week, and I don’t mind betting on Fitzpatrick, but two other guys on this list really stand out to me.

Chris Gotterup and J.J. Spaun have been playing some great golf recently and are the 11th and 5th-highest-ranked golfers, respectively, in the World Golf Rankings. Spaun has had an up-and-down 2026, but will be entering this weekend coming off his first win of the season. He won the US Open last season, proving he can win under tough conditions, yet he only has the 29th-best odds to win this year? That feels like a solid value play.

Then with Gotterup, he’s been one of the best players in the world in 2026.

He has two wins on tour this year, and another top-10 finish to go along with those wins. He’s 5th in the FedEx point standings, and is probably my favorite bet to win this week at +6000. My only concern with Gotterup is that this is his first Master’s appearance, and no player has won their first appearance since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

Our Current Best Offers

Underdog

Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!

T&Cs apply, 18+

ParlayPlay

100% up to $100

T&Cs apply, 18+

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100% up to $500

T&Cs apply, 18+

FanDuel Fantasy

$65 value with just a $10+ deposit

T&Cs apply, 18+

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#Masters #Betting #Picks #Bets #Scottie #Scheffler #Deadspin.com

IFL 2025-26: Rajasthan beats Gokulam Kerala 1-0; Dempo gets first win of season <div id="content-body-70835574" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Naoba Meitei’s dramatic stoppage-time strike helped Rajasthan United FC edge Gokulam Kerala FC 1-0 in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Tuesday.</p><p>After a goalless contest for over 100 minutes, Meitei broke the deadlock deep into injury time to secure three points for the host, which moved up to second in the table with 14 points, while Gokulam Kerala FC remained seventh with eight points. Meitei was adjudged Man of the Match.</p><p>The visitor started brightly, with Thabiso Nelson Brown testing Rajasthan captain and keeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri early on, while Gokulam controlled possession in the opening exchanges without creating clear-cut chances.</p><p>The Desert Warriors came closest to scoring just before half-time with a flurry of chances in added time. Soukouna struck the crossbar, Thomyo L. Shimray’s header was saved, and Fernandes’ acrobatic effort was also denied by an alert Shibinraj, as the first half ended goalless.</p><p>With the match heading towards a draw, Rajasthan finally found the winner in the 101st minute. Naoba Meitei cut in from the left and unleashed a right-footed strike towards the near post, catching the goalkeeper off guard to seal a dramatic victory.</p><p>Despite Gokulam pushing forward in the closing moments, Rajasthan held firm to secure a hard-fought win in an intense encounter.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Dempo prevails over Shillong Lajong to get first win of season</h4><p>Goals from Marcus Joseph, Kapil Hoble and Richmond Kwasi Owusu helped Dempo SC register its first win of the Indian Football League season, a comfortable 3-0 triumph against Shillong Lajong FC at the PJN Stadium in Goa on Tuesday.</p><p>Shillong Lajong enjoyed majority of possession throughout the game but struggled to convert it into clear chances, as Dempo maintained a disciplined defensive shape. The result marked Dempo SC’s first win of the season, taking them to six points, while Birendra Thapa’s side remained fourth with 11 points.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #IFL #Rajasthan #beats #Gokulam #Kerala #Dempo #win #season

#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">

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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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.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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