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RCB’s success down to Kohli trusting batting line-up more: Sanjay Manjrekar Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s has started its title defence strongly, winning four of its first six matches as it looks to become the first team to win back-to-back IPL titles.Leading the way with the bat once again for Rajat Patidar’s men is Virat Kohli, who is the team’s leading run-scorer with 247 runs from six innings at an average of 49.40 and a strike-rate of 157.32. However, former India international Sanjay Manjrekar believes that a large part of the RCB’s recent success can be attributed to the side shedding its dependence on Kohli.“I believe that what has changed in the last two years, apart from Virat Kohli’s strike rate going up, is that he has stopped believing that he is the one batter who’s got to do it for RCB, and has taken a little bit of a backseat and delegated,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Inside Edge podcast. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMAhdMSSKzg[/embed]“Earlier, when AB and Virat were the two big batters, by accident or by design, they were consuming a lot of balls per RCB innings,” Manjrekar said. “If you see now with RCB, people like Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David are providing a lot of useful contributions from down the order because they are getting the opportunity to come in and spend time in the middle.” “I’d like to believe that the reason RCB won the title and is looking really good this season is because Virat Kohli, who bats at the top of the order, is just not putting as huge a prize on his wicket and has started trusting the batters to come a little more.” Manjrekar noted that Kohli’s improved strike-rate had dovetailed well with the pyrotechnics coming from the rest of the RCB batting line-up, saying, “Earlier, he was happy to go at a strike-rate of 120-130. Also, I think he was going into bat and thinking about a milestone, which not too many people think. But I can understand the pressure of a big brand wanting to get those 50s and showing that he’s contributing. ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders’ issues from poor auction and captaincy choice, says Sanjay Manjrekar“But I believe where things have changed is that Virat Kohli now realises that he cannot bat at a strike-rate of 130. Things have moved on. He is batting at a strike-rate of 150 generally. But interestingly, down the order, people are going at 180-200 and that is why RCB is playing so well.Fitness focusManjrekar also praised Kohli for his fitness, noting that it was one of the important reasons behind the 37-year-old’s continued impressive form. “The amount of time he spends just wanting to be this very, very fit cricketer. So when you’re aging and if you’re not really supremely fit, T20 cricket is about hand-eye coordination and running hard between the wickets, and you just have to be young in body. If your eyes can keep pace with it, that’s fine. “Virat Kohli doesn’t let his age come in the way too much. It does, in Test cricket you saw that. But his fitness is never going to actually make things even more difficult for him. And we’re seeing that in his T20 batting both last season, and this season as well.”He further pointed out that this was in line with how Kohli had achieved success across his career. “Virat has achieved greatness, reached exceptional heights. He wasn’t as gifted as Tendulkar with batting ability or you’ll see his technique let him down in Test cricket,” Manjrekar. “But he willed himself to those heights by sheer fitness, and wanting to be at his best every time he stepped onto the field, just like Tendulkar. And that is what sets him apart.”Published on Apr 23, 2026 #RCBs #success #Kohli #trusting #batting #lineup #Sanjay #Manjrekar

RCB’s success down to Kohli trusting batting line-up more: Sanjay Manjrekar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s has started its title defence strongly, winning four of its first six matches as it looks to become the first team to win back-to-back IPL titles.

Leading the way with the bat once again for Rajat Patidar’s men is Virat Kohli, who is the team’s leading run-scorer with 247 runs from six innings at an average of 49.40 and a strike-rate of 157.32. 

However, former India international Sanjay Manjrekar believes that a large part of the RCB’s recent success can be attributed to the side shedding its dependence on Kohli.

“I believe that what has changed in the last two years, apart from Virat Kohli’s strike rate going up, is that he has stopped believing that he is the one batter who’s got to do it for RCB, and has taken a little bit of a backseat and delegated,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Inside Edge podcast. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMAhdMSSKzg[/embed]

“Earlier, when AB and Virat were the two big batters, by accident or by design, they were consuming a lot of balls per RCB innings,” Manjrekar said. “If you see now with RCB, people like Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David are providing a lot of useful contributions from down the order because they are getting the opportunity to come in and spend time in the middle.” 

“I’d like to believe that the reason RCB won the title and is looking really good this season is because Virat Kohli, who bats at the top of the order, is just not putting as huge a prize on his wicket and has started trusting the batters to come a little more.” 

Manjrekar noted that Kohli’s improved strike-rate had dovetailed well with the pyrotechnics coming from the rest of the RCB batting line-up, saying, “Earlier, he was happy to go at a strike-rate of 120-130. Also, I think he was going into bat and thinking about a milestone, which not too many people think. But I can understand the pressure of a big brand wanting to get those 50s and showing that he’s contributing. 

ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders’ issues from poor auction and captaincy choice, says Sanjay Manjrekar

“But I believe where things have changed is that Virat Kohli now realises that he cannot bat at a strike-rate of 130. Things have moved on. He is batting at a strike-rate of 150 generally. But interestingly, down the order, people are going at 180-200 and that is why RCB is playing so well.

Fitness focus

Manjrekar also praised Kohli for his fitness, noting that it was one of the important reasons behind the 37-year-old’s continued impressive form. 

“The amount of time he spends just wanting to be this very, very fit cricketer. So when you’re aging and if you’re not really supremely fit, T20 cricket is about hand-eye coordination and running hard between the wickets, and you just have to be young in body. If your eyes can keep pace with it, that’s fine. 

“Virat Kohli doesn’t let his age come in the way too much. It does, in Test cricket you saw that. But his fitness is never going to actually make things even more difficult for him. And we’re seeing that in his T20 batting both last season, and this season as well.”

He further pointed out that this was in line with how Kohli had achieved success across his career. 

“Virat has achieved greatness, reached exceptional heights. He wasn’t as gifted as Tendulkar with batting ability or you’ll see his technique let him down in Test cricket,” Manjrekar. “But he willed himself to those heights by sheer fitness, and wanting to be at his best every time he stepped onto the field, just like Tendulkar. And that is what sets him apart.”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#RCBs #success #Kohli #trusting #batting #lineup #Sanjay #Manjrekar

Sports news , , , , , , , ,

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s has started its title defence strongly, winning four of its first six matches as it looks to become the first team to win back-to-back IPL titles.

Leading the way with the bat once again for Rajat Patidar’s men is Virat Kohli, who is the team’s leading run-scorer with 247 runs from six innings at an average of 49.40 and a strike-rate of 157.32. 

However, former India international Sanjay Manjrekar believes that a large part of the RCB’s recent success can be attributed to the side shedding its dependence on Kohli.

“I believe that what has changed in the last two years, apart from Virat Kohli’s strike rate going up, is that he has stopped believing that he is the one batter who’s got to do it for RCB, and has taken a little bit of a backseat and delegated,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Inside Edge podcast. 

“Earlier, when AB and Virat were the two big batters, by accident or by design, they were consuming a lot of balls per RCB innings,” Manjrekar said. “If you see now with RCB, people like Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David are providing a lot of useful contributions from down the order because they are getting the opportunity to come in and spend time in the middle.” 

“I’d like to believe that the reason RCB won the title and is looking really good this season is because Virat Kohli, who bats at the top of the order, is just not putting as huge a prize on his wicket and has started trusting the batters to come a little more.” 

Manjrekar noted that Kohli’s improved strike-rate had dovetailed well with the pyrotechnics coming from the rest of the RCB batting line-up, saying, “Earlier, he was happy to go at a strike-rate of 120-130. Also, I think he was going into bat and thinking about a milestone, which not too many people think. But I can understand the pressure of a big brand wanting to get those 50s and showing that he’s contributing. 

ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders’ issues from poor auction and captaincy choice, says Sanjay Manjrekar

“But I believe where things have changed is that Virat Kohli now realises that he cannot bat at a strike-rate of 130. Things have moved on. He is batting at a strike-rate of 150 generally. But interestingly, down the order, people are going at 180-200 and that is why RCB is playing so well.

Fitness focus

Manjrekar also praised Kohli for his fitness, noting that it was one of the important reasons behind the 37-year-old’s continued impressive form. 

“The amount of time he spends just wanting to be this very, very fit cricketer. So when you’re aging and if you’re not really supremely fit, T20 cricket is about hand-eye coordination and running hard between the wickets, and you just have to be young in body. If your eyes can keep pace with it, that’s fine. 

“Virat Kohli doesn’t let his age come in the way too much. It does, in Test cricket you saw that. But his fitness is never going to actually make things even more difficult for him. And we’re seeing that in his T20 batting both last season, and this season as well.”

He further pointed out that this was in line with how Kohli had achieved success across his career. 

“Virat has achieved greatness, reached exceptional heights. He wasn’t as gifted as Tendulkar with batting ability or you’ll see his technique let him down in Test cricket,” Manjrekar. “But he willed himself to those heights by sheer fitness, and wanting to be at his best every time he stepped onto the field, just like Tendulkar. And that is what sets him apart.”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

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#RCBs #success #Kohli #trusting #batting #lineup #Sanjay #Manjrekar

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Deadspin | Earthquakes score 5 second-half goals to beat Austin FC <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-900/28790583.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28790583.jpg" alt="MLS: Austin FC at San Jose Earthquakes" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 22, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal against Austin FC in the second half at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Timo Werner scored the tiebreaking goal on a penalty kick in the 78th minute and the MLS-best San Jose Earthquakes erupted for five second-half goals in a 5-1 victory over visiting Austin FC on Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Preston Judd recorded his second career brace while Jack Jasinksi and Ousseni Bouda also scored goals as San Jose (8-1-0, 24 points) continued its franchise-best start. The Earthquakes scored four of their goals in a 12-minute stretch late in the second half while notching their fifth consecutive victory.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>San Jose dominated the contest with a 37-6 edge in shots. The Earthquakes put 16 shots on target compared to Austin’s two.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Joseph Rosales scored for Austin FC (1-4-4, 7 points) and Brad Stuver allowed his club to hold the lead most of the game with 11 saves, some of them spectacular stops.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Austin is winless in its last seven MLS matches (0-4-3).</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The go-ahead sequence began when San Jose was awarded a penalty kick when Austin’s Nicolas Dubersarsky knocked down Jamar Ricketts in the box in the 77th minute.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>One minute later, Werner stood at the spot and placed a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net to give the Earthquakes their first lead.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>San Jose tacked off another tally in the 83rd minute when Paul Marie fed Judd for a right-footed running shot past Stuver.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Two minutes later, Bouda stole the ball from Austin’s Jon Bell and sent a left-footed shot that caromed off Stuver and into the net to give the Quakes a 4-1 edge.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The onslaught continued in the 89th minute when Marie sent a pass to Judd, who headed it into the net.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Earlier, San Jose knotted the score at 1 in the 58th minute when Jasinksi, a rookie, made good on his second header attempt in two minutes.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>On the first one, Jasinki’s header clanked off the near goalpost. Chance No. 2 came off Niko Tsakiris’ corner kick and he rose up and snapped a header past Stuver for his first MLS goal.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Austin’s goal in the ninth minute came after a wayward San Jose pass in its own end was scooped up by Rosales.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Rosales dribbled in and delivered a hard left-footed shot that caromed off the leg of Daniel and into the net.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Austin nearly struck again in the 17th minute but Facundo Torres’ hard left-foot shot was stopped for Daniel’s lone save of the match. Daniel then used his right hand to slap the ball to the side and out of harm’s way.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Earthquakes #score #secondhalf #goals #beat #Austin

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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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