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‘No one will remember if I finish 4th or 10th’: Abdulla Aboobacker eyes NR and Asian Games glory Learning from past mistakes but not dwelling too much on missed medals and focussing on the future is what an athlete’s life is all about.Triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker knows it all too well.The 30-year-old Abdulla, a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, is ready for another crucial season in his career after a disappointing end to 2025. On the agenda this year are two mega events – Commonwealth Games (CWG), where he won silver in 2022, and the Asian Games.In an exclusive interview with Sportstar, Abdulla reveals how he is approaching the 2026 season, his thoughts on the qualification criteria for CWG and Asian Games and more:-When did you end your 2025 season and begin your off season?I ended my season at the World Championship in Japan (where he failed to qualify for the final). Then, I started the off season at the Air Force base in Bengaluru. Even now, I have taken part in two competitions but it is still the off season. I haven’t started my season yet.Did you take a break after the World Championships?After the World Championships, I took a one-and-a-half-month break. Then, I went to Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) for rehab and strength and conditioning before joining training at Air Force in December. Since then, I have been training there under coach Harikrishnan along with Karthik Unnikrishnan & long jumper Siddharth Mohan Naik.Did you make any changes in your technique or strategy during the off season?Last year, I hit my peak in the off season itself. I thought I’ll start with explosive speed and then, maintain stability. I jumped 17.19m in the first competition itself. I did so well in the off season but could not be consistent later. I could not do the off season properly.This year, I thought that I’ll compete in two events in the off season itself but won’t hit my peak yet. If I peaked too soon, it will cause issues later in the year when there is Asian Games in September-October. Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. | Photo Credit: AP Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. | Photo Credit: AP My target is to put in full effort during the Federation Cup now.My coach told me to do only three jumps during the first two competitions. I did three jumps during the Indian Open Jumps Competition. In Indian Athletics Series 1, I did three. I felt I was jumping well and could potentially break the National Record (17.37m), so I attempted a fourth one but it was a foul.Then I thought that it is okay. There is good competition this year with Praveen (Chithravel) and also, Selva Prabhu who cleared 17m (17.05 at the NCAA Indoor Championships). So, I feel we can break the NR at the Fed Cup.How do you see the qualification criteria set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for CWG and Asian Games? You can’t qualify by meeting the entry standard once. You have to take part in two meets, state championships, Fed Cup and then, at Inter-State, which will be the final selection trial, to achieve the entry standard again.Our target is the Asian Games. Jumping at the state meet and nationals will provide experience and help our coordination. If this is my mentality, then I won’t feel any pressure or mental stress.If we think about why AFI is doing this while our focus is just on one competition, then we won’t be able to concentrate. We have to be ready for anything. I feel the federation is right as they want consistent performances. If I do well in one event and I’m down in the next, even they’ll start doubting.What is your main goal for this season? You have already achieved the qualifying mark for Asian Games (16.28m). And CWG shouldn’t be a problem either.The qualification standard for CWG is 16.89m. In my first two events, I did 16.83m and 16.82m. So, it is manageable. What’s in my mind is that I won silver at last CWG while Eldhose Paul won gold. In that same competition, there was a Jamaican triple jumper, Jordan Scott, who is doing well globally now. He did 17.52m in 2025. Right now, he is close to 17.30-17.40. My mindset is to compete with him and beat him. He won silver in World Indoors and is a consistent jumper.For Asian Games, the Chinese and the Korean teams are good competitors.Triple jump is such an explosive and technical discipline. How do you manage injuries?Injuries will come and go in sports. JSW supports so much that I just need to make one call and everything will be ready before I go to IIS for rehab. That’s why, I don’t feel any tension.Right now, I’m training at the Air Force base but in case I need any help in terms of facilities or focussed rehab, I can put in a request here and go to IIS.I had heel pain in 2022 and 2025. Back pain, ankle pain…. All this is normal since we are pushing our bodies a lot.I notice the symptoms early and adjust my recovery accordingly. I am not alone. I have a big support system behind me.At the last Asian Games, you finished fourth. Does it still bother you that you came so close to a medal?Actually, even at CWG, the difference between Eldhose and me was one centimetre. Next year, at the Asian Games, the gap between me and Praveen, who finished third, was six centimetres.This time, I don’t want it to be so close and therefore, I’m targeting bigger jumps.The last Asian Games was three years ago and I can’t do anything about it. But it felt really bad to finish fourth because finishing fourth, 10th or 100th is all equal in terms of participation value. No one will even remember if I finished fourth or 10th.Nevertheless, now it is about focussing on the future.Published on Apr 14, 2026 #remember #finish #4th #10th #Abdulla #Aboobacker #eyes #Asian #Games #glory

‘No one will remember if I finish 4th or 10th’: Abdulla Aboobacker eyes NR and Asian Games glory

Learning from past mistakes but not dwelling too much on missed medals and focussing on the future is what an athlete’s life is all about.

Triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker knows it all too well.

The 30-year-old Abdulla, a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, is ready for another crucial season in his career after a disappointing end to 2025. On the agenda this year are two mega events – Commonwealth Games (CWG), where he won silver in 2022, and the Asian Games.

In an exclusive interview with Sportstar, Abdulla reveals how he is approaching the 2026 season, his thoughts on the qualification criteria for CWG and Asian Games and more:-

When did you end your 2025 season and begin your off season?

I ended my season at the World Championship in Japan (where he failed to qualify for the final). Then, I started the off season at the Air Force base in Bengaluru. Even now, I have taken part in two competitions but it is still the off season. I haven’t started my season yet.

Did you take a break after the World Championships?

After the World Championships, I took a one-and-a-half-month break. Then, I went to Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) for rehab and strength and conditioning before joining training at Air Force in December. Since then, I have been training there under coach Harikrishnan along with Karthik Unnikrishnan & long jumper Siddharth Mohan Naik.

Did you make any changes in your technique or strategy during the off season?

Last year, I hit my peak in the off season itself. I thought I’ll start with explosive speed and then, maintain stability. I jumped 17.19m in the first competition itself. I did so well in the off season but could not be consistent later. I could not do the off season properly.

This year, I thought that I’ll compete in two events in the off season itself but won’t hit my peak yet. If I peaked too soon, it will cause issues later in the year when there is Asian Games in September-October.

‘No one will remember if I finish 4th or 10th’: Abdulla Aboobacker eyes NR and Asian Games glory Learning from past mistakes but not dwelling too much on missed medals and focussing on the future is what an athlete’s life is all about.Triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker knows it all too well.The 30-year-old Abdulla, a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, is ready for another crucial season in his career after a disappointing end to 2025. On the agenda this year are two mega events – Commonwealth Games (CWG), where he won silver in 2022, and the Asian Games.In an exclusive interview with Sportstar, Abdulla reveals how he is approaching the 2026 season, his thoughts on the qualification criteria for CWG and Asian Games and more:-When did you end your 2025 season and begin your off season?I ended my season at the World Championship in Japan (where he failed to qualify for the final). Then, I started the off season at the Air Force base in Bengaluru. Even now, I have taken part in two competitions but it is still the off season. I haven’t started my season yet.Did you take a break after the World Championships?After the World Championships, I took a one-and-a-half-month break. Then, I went to Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) for rehab and strength and conditioning before joining training at Air Force in December. Since then, I have been training there under coach Harikrishnan along with Karthik Unnikrishnan & long jumper Siddharth Mohan Naik.Did you make any changes in your technique or strategy during the off season?Last year, I hit my peak in the off season itself. I thought I’ll start with explosive speed and then, maintain stability. I jumped 17.19m in the first competition itself. I did so well in the off season but could not be consistent later. I could not do the off season properly.This year, I thought that I’ll compete in two events in the off season itself but won’t hit my peak yet. If I peaked too soon, it will cause issues later in the year when there is Asian Games in September-October. Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. | Photo Credit: AP Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. | Photo Credit: AP My target is to put in full effort during the Federation Cup now.My coach told me to do only three jumps during the first two competitions. I did three jumps during the Indian Open Jumps Competition. In Indian Athletics Series 1, I did three. I felt I was jumping well and could potentially break the National Record (17.37m), so I attempted a fourth one but it was a foul.Then I thought that it is okay. There is good competition this year with Praveen (Chithravel) and also, Selva Prabhu who cleared 17m (17.05 at the NCAA Indoor Championships). So, I feel we can break the NR at the Fed Cup.How do you see the qualification criteria set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for CWG and Asian Games? You can’t qualify by meeting the entry standard once. You have to take part in two meets, state championships, Fed Cup and then, at Inter-State, which will be the final selection trial, to achieve the entry standard again.Our target is the Asian Games. Jumping at the state meet and nationals will provide experience and help our coordination. If this is my mentality, then I won’t feel any pressure or mental stress.If we think about why AFI is doing this while our focus is just on one competition, then we won’t be able to concentrate. We have to be ready for anything. I feel the federation is right as they want consistent performances. If I do well in one event and I’m down in the next, even they’ll start doubting.What is your main goal for this season? You have already achieved the qualifying mark for Asian Games (16.28m). And CWG shouldn’t be a problem either.The qualification standard for CWG is 16.89m. In my first two events, I did 16.83m and 16.82m. So, it is manageable. What’s in my mind is that I won silver at last CWG while Eldhose Paul won gold. In that same competition, there was a Jamaican triple jumper, Jordan Scott, who is doing well globally now. He did 17.52m in 2025. Right now, he is close to 17.30-17.40. My mindset is to compete with him and beat him. He won silver in World Indoors and is a consistent jumper.For Asian Games, the Chinese and the Korean teams are good competitors.Triple jump is such an explosive and technical discipline. How do you manage injuries?Injuries will come and go in sports. JSW supports so much that I just need to make one call and everything will be ready before I go to IIS for rehab. That’s why, I don’t feel any tension.Right now, I’m training at the Air Force base but in case I need any help in terms of facilities or focussed rehab, I can put in a request here and go to IIS.I had heel pain in 2022 and 2025. Back pain, ankle pain…. All this is normal since we are pushing our bodies a lot.I notice the symptoms early and adjust my recovery accordingly. I am not alone. I have a big support system behind me.At the last Asian Games, you finished fourth. Does it still bother you that you came so close to a medal?Actually, even at CWG, the difference between Eldhose and me was one centimetre. Next year, at the Asian Games, the gap between me and Praveen, who finished third, was six centimetres.This time, I don’t want it to be so close and therefore, I’m targeting bigger jumps.The last Asian Games was three years ago and I can’t do anything about it. But it felt really bad to finish fourth because finishing fourth, 10th or 100th is all equal in terms of participation value. No one will even remember if I finished fourth or 10th.Nevertheless, now it is about focussing on the future.Published on Apr 14, 2026 #remember #finish #4th #10th #Abdulla #Aboobacker #eyes #Asian #Games #glory

Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. | Photo Credit: AP

lightbox-info

Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. | Photo Credit: AP

My target is to put in full effort during the Federation Cup now.

My coach told me to do only three jumps during the first two competitions. I did three jumps during the Indian Open Jumps Competition. In Indian Athletics Series 1, I did three. I felt I was jumping well and could potentially break the National Record (17.37m), so I attempted a fourth one but it was a foul.

Then I thought that it is okay. There is good competition this year with Praveen (Chithravel) and also, Selva Prabhu who cleared 17m (17.05 at the NCAA Indoor Championships). So, I feel we can break the NR at the Fed Cup.

How do you see the qualification criteria set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for CWG and Asian Games? You can’t qualify by meeting the entry standard once. You have to take part in two meets, state championships, Fed Cup and then, at Inter-State, which will be the final selection trial, to achieve the entry standard again.

Our target is the Asian Games. Jumping at the state meet and nationals will provide experience and help our coordination. If this is my mentality, then I won’t feel any pressure or mental stress.

If we think about why AFI is doing this while our focus is just on one competition, then we won’t be able to concentrate. We have to be ready for anything. I feel the federation is right as they want consistent performances. If I do well in one event and I’m down in the next, even they’ll start doubting.

What is your main goal for this season? You have already achieved the qualifying mark for Asian Games (16.28m). And CWG shouldn’t be a problem either.

The qualification standard for CWG is 16.89m. In my first two events, I did 16.83m and 16.82m. So, it is manageable. What’s in my mind is that I won silver at last CWG while Eldhose Paul won gold. In that same competition, there was a Jamaican triple jumper, Jordan Scott, who is doing well globally now. He did 17.52m in 2025. Right now, he is close to 17.30-17.40. My mindset is to compete with him and beat him. He won silver in World Indoors and is a consistent jumper.

For Asian Games, the Chinese and the Korean teams are good competitors.

Triple jump is such an explosive and technical discipline. How do you manage injuries?

Injuries will come and go in sports. JSW supports so much that I just need to make one call and everything will be ready before I go to IIS for rehab. That’s why, I don’t feel any tension.

Right now, I’m training at the Air Force base but in case I need any help in terms of facilities or focussed rehab, I can put in a request here and go to IIS.

I had heel pain in 2022 and 2025. Back pain, ankle pain…. All this is normal since we are pushing our bodies a lot.

I notice the symptoms early and adjust my recovery accordingly. I am not alone. I have a big support system behind me.

At the last Asian Games, you finished fourth. Does it still bother you that you came so close to a medal?

Actually, even at CWG, the difference between Eldhose and me was one centimetre. Next year, at the Asian Games, the gap between me and Praveen, who finished third, was six centimetres.

This time, I don’t want it to be so close and therefore, I’m targeting bigger jumps.

The last Asian Games was three years ago and I can’t do anything about it. But it felt really bad to finish fourth because finishing fourth, 10th or 100th is all equal in terms of participation value. No one will even remember if I finished fourth or 10th.

Nevertheless, now it is about focussing on the future.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#remember #finish #4th #10th #Abdulla #Aboobacker #eyes #Asian #Games #glory

Sports news , , , , , ,

Learning from past mistakes but not dwelling too much on missed medals and focussing on the future is what an athlete’s life is all about.

Triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker knows it all too well.

The 30-year-old Abdulla, a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, is ready for another crucial season in his career after a disappointing end to 2025. On the agenda this year are two mega events – Commonwealth Games (CWG), where he won silver in 2022, and the Asian Games.

In an exclusive interview with Sportstar, Abdulla reveals how he is approaching the 2026 season, his thoughts on the qualification criteria for CWG and Asian Games and more:-

When did you end your 2025 season and begin your off season?

I ended my season at the World Championship in Japan (where he failed to qualify for the final). Then, I started the off season at the Air Force base in Bengaluru. Even now, I have taken part in two competitions but it is still the off season. I haven’t started my season yet.

Did you take a break after the World Championships?

After the World Championships, I took a one-and-a-half-month break. Then, I went to Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) for rehab and strength and conditioning before joining training at Air Force in December. Since then, I have been training there under coach Harikrishnan along with Karthik Unnikrishnan & long jumper Siddharth Mohan Naik.

Did you make any changes in your technique or strategy during the off season?

Last year, I hit my peak in the off season itself. I thought I’ll start with explosive speed and then, maintain stability. I jumped 17.19m in the first competition itself. I did so well in the off season but could not be consistent later. I could not do the off season properly.

This year, I thought that I’ll compete in two events in the off season itself but won’t hit my peak yet. If I peaked too soon, it will cause issues later in the year when there is Asian Games in September-October.

Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
| Photo Credit:
AP

lightbox-info

Gold medal winner Eldhose Paul, left, of India and compatriot and silver medal winner Abdulla Aboobacker celebrate after the men’s triple jump final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
| Photo Credit:
AP

My target is to put in full effort during the Federation Cup now.

My coach told me to do only three jumps during the first two competitions. I did three jumps during the Indian Open Jumps Competition. In Indian Athletics Series 1, I did three. I felt I was jumping well and could potentially break the National Record (17.37m), so I attempted a fourth one but it was a foul.

Then I thought that it is okay. There is good competition this year with Praveen (Chithravel) and also, Selva Prabhu who cleared 17m (17.05 at the NCAA Indoor Championships). So, I feel we can break the NR at the Fed Cup.

How do you see the qualification criteria set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for CWG and Asian Games? You can’t qualify by meeting the entry standard once. You have to take part in two meets, state championships, Fed Cup and then, at Inter-State, which will be the final selection trial, to achieve the entry standard again.

Our target is the Asian Games. Jumping at the state meet and nationals will provide experience and help our coordination. If this is my mentality, then I won’t feel any pressure or mental stress.

If we think about why AFI is doing this while our focus is just on one competition, then we won’t be able to concentrate. We have to be ready for anything. I feel the federation is right as they want consistent performances. If I do well in one event and I’m down in the next, even they’ll start doubting.

What is your main goal for this season? You have already achieved the qualifying mark for Asian Games (16.28m). And CWG shouldn’t be a problem either.

The qualification standard for CWG is 16.89m. In my first two events, I did 16.83m and 16.82m. So, it is manageable. What’s in my mind is that I won silver at last CWG while Eldhose Paul won gold. In that same competition, there was a Jamaican triple jumper, Jordan Scott, who is doing well globally now. He did 17.52m in 2025. Right now, he is close to 17.30-17.40. My mindset is to compete with him and beat him. He won silver in World Indoors and is a consistent jumper.

For Asian Games, the Chinese and the Korean teams are good competitors.

Triple jump is such an explosive and technical discipline. How do you manage injuries?

Injuries will come and go in sports. JSW supports so much that I just need to make one call and everything will be ready before I go to IIS for rehab. That’s why, I don’t feel any tension.

Right now, I’m training at the Air Force base but in case I need any help in terms of facilities or focussed rehab, I can put in a request here and go to IIS.

I had heel pain in 2022 and 2025. Back pain, ankle pain…. All this is normal since we are pushing our bodies a lot.

I notice the symptoms early and adjust my recovery accordingly. I am not alone. I have a big support system behind me.

At the last Asian Games, you finished fourth. Does it still bother you that you came so close to a medal?

Actually, even at CWG, the difference between Eldhose and me was one centimetre. Next year, at the Asian Games, the gap between me and Praveen, who finished third, was six centimetres.

This time, I don’t want it to be so close and therefore, I’m targeting bigger jumps.

The last Asian Games was three years ago and I can’t do anything about it. But it felt really bad to finish fourth because finishing fourth, 10th or 100th is all equal in terms of participation value. No one will even remember if I finished fourth or 10th.

Nevertheless, now it is about focussing on the future.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

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Deadspin | Capitals, Blue Jackets play finale with all eyes on Alex Ovechkin <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-900/28716152.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28716152.jpg" alt="NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 12, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) smiles while waving off a handshake line by the Pittsburgh Penguins after their game at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Alex Ovechkin may be playing his final NHL game when the Washington Capitals visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Or he may not be. Either way, he isn’t playoff-bound, as the Philadelphia Flyers’ 3-2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated both the Capitals and the Blue Jackets from playoff contention.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, is nearing the end of his 21st NHL season and is in the final season of a five-year contract. The 40-year-old left wing, who has scored 929 regular-season goals, has announced he will not make a decision regarding his future until this summer.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>There was no ceremony of any kind during Washington’s final home game, a much-needed 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. Fans chanted “one more year” and the Penguins stayed on the ice after the game for a ceremonial handshake, but a smiling Ovechkin waved them off after Washington won its third straight game.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“The fans always support me, support the organization, team, boys,” Ovechkin said. “It was loud. It was the energy (that) we need. You can see how the boys played.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Washington (42-30-9, 93 points) and Columbus (40-29-12, 92 points) were still alive in the playoff hunt until Philadelphia (42-27-12, 96 points) wrapped up third place in the Metropolitan Division on Monday.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>After a disastrous six-game losing streak that knocked them down the standings and closer to elimination from playoff contention, the Blue Jackets have split their past four games, the latest being a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Mason Marchment and Adam Fantilli scored, and Jet Greaves made 19 saves for the Blue Jackets.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“We’re all very, very disappointed in how it went tonight,” Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said Sunday. “The guys are heartbroken, we’re heartbroken, and now we’ve lost total control of what’s going to happen.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Columbus tied the score 2-2 early in the third period, but Boston scored the go-ahead goal midway through the period.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“I think we had to maybe up our urgency a little bit,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. “I thought in the third we had a lot of grade-A chances to either take the lead or tie it back up. We missed on a few of them.”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>In Washington on Sunday, Connor McMichael scored twice and had an assist and Ovechkin had an assist for the Capitals, who have won seven of nine. Logan Thompson made 24 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and second in three starts.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“I know our guys,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. “And I know that there was no way we were gonna throw the towel in and just cruise in and hopefully play .500 hockey and ride it out. … I knew we would not pack it in, and we were gonna fight to win hockey games.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Thompson is 5-1-0 with a 1.90 goals-against average and .942 save percentage against Columbus. Greaves, expected to start for the sixth straight game, is 2-2-1 with a 1.80 GAA and a .943 save percentage versus Washington.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Washington leads the season series 3-0-0. The teams have not met since Dec. 7 when Thompson made 39 saves in a 2-0 Washington home win. The Capitals won 5-1 on Nov. 24 behind two goals from Jakob Chychrun and 5-1 on Oct. 24 when Ovechkin scored his 899th goal and added an assist.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Capitals #Blue #Jackets #play #finale #eyes #Alex #Ovechkin

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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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