Larry Fitzgerald Moves Closer to Hall of Fame Recognition
The Arizona Cardinals’ all-time great, Larry Fitzgerald, is making significant strides toward football immortality as he progresses through the Hall of Fame selection process. This week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its next round of candidates for the Class of 2026, and Fitzgerald’s name prominently featured among the 52 players who made the cut.
A Stellar Career with the Cardinals
Fitzgerald, who spent his entire 17-year career with the Cardinals, boasts impressive career statistics: 1,432 receptions, 17,492 receiving yards, and 121 touchdowns. These numbers place him second all-time in receptions and receiving yards, trailing only the legendary Jerry Rice. He ranks sixth in career touchdown receptions and is one of only 12 players to surpass the century mark in that category.
Unmatched Reliability and Performance
Often hailed as the greatest player in Cardinals history, Fitzgerald’s reliability on the field is nothing short of remarkable. He is known for his exceptional hands, with a career statistic that shows he recorded more tackles than dropped passes—a testament to his work ethic and concentration. Over his career, Fitzgerald earned Pro Bowl selections 11 times, including a remarkable streak of seven consecutive appearances from 2007 to 2013. In addition, he was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2008 and received Second-Team honors in both 2009 and 2011.
Fitzgerald consistently surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in nine seasons, with four of those seasons exceeding 1,400 yards. His ability to score was evident as he registered double-digit touchdowns in five different seasons. Notably, he led the league in receptions in both 2005 and 2016, while also leading in touchdown receptions during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Durability and Playoff Excellence
Another aspect of Fitzgerald’s career that stands out is his durability. He missed just nine games over his entire career, appearing in 263 of a possible 272 games and starting 261 of those. His achievements came before the NFL expanded its regular season to 17 games, making his longevity even more impressive.
Fitzgerald’s prowess extended into the postseason, where he made a significant impact despite playing in only nine playoff games. He racked up 57 receptions for 942 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His unforgettable performance during the 2008 playoffs includes a record-setting 30 receptions for a staggering 546 yards and seven touchdowns. His 64-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl XLIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers is often ranked among the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.
A Beloved Figure in Football
A member of both the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Fitzgerald is cherished by fans across the league. With no known rivals, many regard him as the greatest NFL player to never win a championship.
As Fitzgerald aims for Hall of Fame induction in his first year of eligibility, he faces competition from notable players such as former teammate Anquan Boldin and a host of other wide-receiver legends, including Torry Holt, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, and Reggie Wayne. Historically, only 76 players have been inducted in their first year of eligibility, with just seven wide receivers achieving first-ballot status, the most recent being Calvin Johnson in 2021.
Fitzgerald’s journey to the Hall of Fame is underway, and as he seeks to cement his legacy, the football community watches closely, eager to see if this icon will take his rightful place among the sport’s legends.
