Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. (born August 31, 1983) is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh, and earned All-American honors. The Arizona Cardinals chose Fitzgerald with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and he has played his entire professional career for the team. He has been selected for the Pro Bowl seven times, and currently ranks fifth all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career (76.0 yards per game), behind Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison. On November 24, 2013, at 30 years and 85 days of age, he became the youngest NFL receiver to reach 11,000 career receiving yards, surpassing the previous record-holder, Randy Moss. He agreed to an eight-year, $120 million contract extension on August 20, 2011.
Biography
NoteCARDS:
Originally selected by the Cardinals in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft and has started 139 of the 140 games in which he has appeared. Only players taken ahead of him were QB Eli Manning (#1 to San Diego) and OT Robert Gallery (#2 to Oakland). Signed a four-year contract on 3/11/08 and signed an eight-year contract on 8/20/11 that will keep him in a Cardinals uniform through the 2018 season.
Voted to his sixth consecutive (seventh overall) Pro Bowl in 2012. His seven career Pro Bowl nods are the most by an offensive player in franchise history and are tied with Hall of Fame DB Roger Wehrli for the second most in team history behind only Hall of Fame safety Larry Wilson’s eight. Earned MVP honors in the 2008 Pro Bowl and his eight career TDs represent a Pro Bowl record.
Franchise career leader in receptions (764), receiving yards (10,413), receiving TDs (77), total TDs (77), 100-yard receiving games (34) and consecutive games with a reception (133).
In 2012, was named one of three finalists for the “Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year” Award and was also named the recipient of the 14th Annual Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award by Pro Football Weekly, which is given to the NFL player whose contributions to the community and charitable organizations are especially outstanding.
In Week 3 of the 2012 season vs. Philadelphia, reached 700 career receptions. At 29 years, 23 days old, he became the youngest player in NFL history to reach the career milestone.
In Week 6 of the ’12 season vs. Buffalo, eclipsed 10,000 career receiving yards and joined Randy Moss as the only players in NFL history to reach the career milestone before the age of 30.
One of just four players in NFL history to record at least 1,400 receiving yards four times in their career, joining Jerry Rice (6), Randy Moss (4) and Marvin Harrison (4).
Was the first player in NFL history to record 90+ receptions five times in their first seven seasons and became just one of four players in NFL history (Torry Holt, Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison) to record 90+ receptions in at least four consecutive seasons.
At 28 years, 74 days old, he became the third-youngest player in NFL history to reach 70 career receiving TDs behind only Randy Moss (26 years, 269 days old) and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (28 years, one day old). Led the NFL in receiving TDs in both 2008 (12) and 2009 (13) and with 10 TD receptions in ’07, became the first player in franchise history to record 10+ TDs in three consecutive seasons.
Has twice been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, with both award-winning performances coming in consecutive seasons against the Philadelphia Eagles. In Week 10 of the ’11 season, he earned the honor for the first time in his career following his performance against the Eagles (7 rec, 146 yards, 2 TDs). In Week 3 of the ’12 season, earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week after hauling in nine receptions for 114 yards and a TD against Philadelphia.
Had one of the best postseasons of any player in NFL history during the Cardinals run to Super Bowl XLIII in 2008, shattering the NFL single postseason record for receptions (30), receiving yards (546), and receiving TDs (7). His 30 receptions surpassed the previous record of 27, shared by Carolina’s Steve Smith (2005) and New England’s Wes Welker (2007). His 546 receiving yards surpassed Jerry Rice’s 1988 total of 409 yards and his seven TD receptions topped Rice’s 1988 total of six.
Has nine TD receptions in six career postseason games, an NFL record for a player in his first six postseason games.
With 100 yards receiving in each of the team’s four postseason games in ‘08, set the NFL record for most consecutive playoff games with 100 yards receiving. Has at least 100 yards receiving in four of the six postseason games he has appeared in.
With 96 receptions for 1,431 yards in 2008, joined wide receivers Anquan Boldin (89-1,038) and Steve Breaston (77-1,006) to mark the fifth time in NFL history that a team had three players all reach 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
His 103 receptions in 2005 set a franchise single-season mark, breaking Boldin’s previous mark of 101 set in 2003.
In 2005, Fitzgerald and Boldin became only the second tandem in NFL history to top 100 receptions and 1,400 receiving yards in the same season (Detroit’s Herman Moore and Brett Perriman in 1995).
At 22 years, 123 days old became the youngest receiver in NFL history to record a 100-catch campaign when he reached the milestone @ Indy on 1/1/06.
Entering his 10th season with the Cardinals, joins Darnell Dockett as the team’s most tenured players.
Pro Career:
Selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft; was the first receiver taken and the third player overall behind QB Eli Manning (San Diego) and T Robert Gallery (Oakland). In his nine seasons with the Cardinals, has established franchise records for receptions (764), receiving yards (10,413), receiving TDs (77), total TDs (77), 100-yard receiving games (34) and 1,000-yard receiving seasons (6). Has also been voted to the Pro Bowl seven times, including appearances in each of the past six seasons. Signed a four-year contract on 3/11/08 and re-upped on 8/20/11, agreeing to an eight-year contract that will keep him in Arizona through the 2018 season.
2012: After being selected as an offensive captain by his teammates for the fourth consecutive year, started all 16 games and earned his sixth straight (seventh overall) Pro Bowl selection … led the team with 71 receptions and 798 receiving yards and finished second on the team with four TD catches … became the franchise record holder for consecutive games with a reception (133) … also became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 700 career receptions and the second-youngest to reach 10,000 career receiving yards … posted a team-high 63 yards on four receptions vs. Sea (9/9); caught two passes for 37 yards from Kevin Kolb on the go-ahead TD drive in the fourth quarter … led the team with nine catches for 114 yards and a TD vs. Phi (9/23); with his second catch of the game, he became the youngest player (29 years, 23 days old) in NFL history to reach 700 career receptions; had 105 yards on seven catches in the first half alone, the fifth time in his career he has topped 100 yards receiving in the first half; marked his 33rd career 100-yard receiving game; his 37-yard TD reception in the second quarter was his ninth career TD in five games against the Eagles (including postseason), and he has topped 100 yards receiving in each of his last three games against Philadelphia; named NFC Offensive Player of the Week; marked the second time in his career he earned the honor, with the first coming in 2011, also after a victory over the Eagles … had a team-high eight receptions for 64 yards and a TD vs. Mia (9/30); marked his 121st straight game with a reception, tying Mel Gray’s (Game 3 in 1973-Game 4 in 1982) franchise record ... posted a team-leading eight catches for 92 yards @ StL (10/4); it was his 122nd straight game with a catch, establishing a new franchise record … led the team with six receptions for 93 yards and a TD vs. Buf (10/14); with his 14-yard reception in the fourth quarter, reached 10,000 career receiving yards, becoming the second-youngest player in NFL history to reach that mark and joining Randy Moss as the only players to do so before the age of 30; had a 17-yard reception later on the same drive to convert a 4th-n-11 and keep the eventual game-tying FG drive alive … caught a team-high six passes for 74 yards and a TD @ GB (11/4); had a 31-yard catch and run for a TD on 3rd-n-5 in the third quarter … caught three passes for 31 yards, all coming on the game-opening TD drive vs. StL (11/25); gave him 102 career receptions against the Rams … led the team with eight catches for 111 yards vs. Chi (12/23); marked his 34th career 100-yard receiving game, extending his own franchise record.
2011: After being selected as an offensive captain for the third consecutive year, started all 16 games and led the team with 80 receptions for 1,411 yards and eight receiving TDs … averaged a career-best 17.6 yards per catch … named a Pro Bowl starter, his fifth consecutive and sixth overall Pro Bowl selection … became the first Cardinal since Aeneas Williams (1994-99) to earn five consecutive selections … became the franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards, receiving TDs, overall TDs, and 100-yard receiving games … surpassed 1,400 yards receiving for the fourth time in his career, becoming just the fourth player in NFL history with four or more seasons of 1,400+ yards … had six 100-yard receiving games on the season, just one short of his career high (7; 2005, 2008) … tied Detroit’s Calvin Johnson and NYG’s Victor Cruz for the NFL lead with 17 receptions of 25+ yards … had an NFL-high 14 receptions of 20+ yards in the fourth quarter or OT … caught three passes for 62 yards in the season opener vs. Car (9/11); longest reception of the day was a 34-yard catch to convert a 3rd-n-6 in the fourth quarter with the Cardinals leading 28-21 … had seven receptions for 133 yards, including a 73-yard TD @ Was (9/18); 73-yarder marked the 66th TD reception of his career, tying him with Roy Green (1979-90) for the most in franchise history; marked his 27th career 100-yard receiving game, which tied Anquan Boldin (2003-09) for the most in team history … collected five receptions for 64 yards and a TD @ Sea (9/25); marked his 67th career TD reception, giving him the franchise record for receiving TDs … had eight catches for 102 yards vs. NYG (10/2), including a 47-yard reception in the third quarter that made the him franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards, surpassing Roy Green (8,497); marked his 28th career 100-yard receiving game, breaking a tie with Anquan Boldin for the most in Cardinals history … had a team-high 98 yards on three receptions @ Bal (10/30); 66-yard reception in the first quarter led to a Cardinals FG … caught four passes for 43 yards, including a game-tying 13-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter vs. StL (11/6); also marked his 13th career TD against the Rams, the most he has scored against any team … totaled 146 yards on seven receptions and scored two TDs @ Phi (11/13); became the franchise’s all-time leader with 70 overall career TDs, passing Roy Green (69, 1979-90); marked his 12th career game with two TD receptions; second TD tied the game at 14 in the fourth quarter, the second straight week he caught a game-tying TD in the fourth quarter; had a 37-yard reception on 3rd-n-10 to get the Cardinals to the Eagles 1-yard line on the game-winning drive; had five catches for 94 yards in the fourth quarter alone; became the third-youngest player in NFL history to reach 70 career receiving TDs, behind only Randy Moss and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice; named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career … caught three passes for 41 yards and a TD @ SF (11/20); surpassed the 9,000-yard receiving mark for his career with 18-yard reception in the third quarter; at 28 years, 81 days old, became the second-youngest player in NFL history to reach 9,000 career receiving yards (Randy Moss, 27 years, 310 days); caught a 23-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter, marking his third consecutive game with a TD … posted three catches for 55 yards @ StL (11/27); converted a 3rd-n-6 with a nine-yard reception on the Cardinals game-winning FG drive in the fourth quarter … totaled a season-high 149 yards and a TD on seven catches vs. SF (12/11); on his 46-yard TD reception in the third quarter, surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the fifth straight season and sixth time in his career; had a 53-yard reception on the Cardinals game-winning TD drive; threw a key block on Early Doucet’s TD reception in the second quarter and made a TD-saving tackle of Dashon Goldson on an INT return in the second quarter … had three catches for 65 yards, including a 32-yard reception in OT to set up the game-winning FG vs. Cle (12/18) … caught six passes for a team-high 105 yards and a TD @ Cin (12/24); had five receptions for 92 yards in the fourth quarter alone, including a 30-yard TD and a 39-yard catch that set up a FG; TD reception gave him 440 career points scored, which moved him past K Neil O’Donoghue (439, 1980-85) into fourth all-time in franchise history … recorded a season-high nine receptions for 149 yards vs. Sea (1/1/12); had three receptions for 46 yards on the game-winning FG drive in OT; moved him over 1,400 yards receiving for the fourth time in his career, making him one of four players in NFL history (Jerry Rice, 6; Randy Moss and Marvin Harrison, 4) with four or more seasons of 1,400+ yards in their career.
2010: After being selected as an offensive captain by his teammates for the second consecutive year, started 15 of 16 games and registered 90 receptions for 1,137 yards and six TDs … became the first player in NFL history to record 90+ receptions five times in their first seven seasons … appeared in his fourth consecutive (fifth overall) Pro Bowl, a franchise record for a WR … posted his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, extending his own franchise record; marked fifth 1,000-yard season of his career, tying Anquan Boldin for the most in franchise history … became the franchise’s all-time receptions leader and moved into second place on the franchise career receiving yardage list, trailing only Roy Green (8,497, 1979-90) … joined Randy Moss (6), Chad Johnson (6) and Boldin (5) as the only active receivers to reach 1,000 yards at least five times in their first seven NFL seasons … moved into second place on the franchise TD receptions list … became the youngest player in NFL history (27 years, 110 days old) to reach 600 career receptions … became the second youngest player in NFL history to reach 8,000 career receiving yards (Randy Moss, 26 years, 297 days old) … saw first action after suffering a knee injury in the first preseason game (8/14) and recorded the game-winning TD reception in the season opener @ StL; dating back to the 2009 regular season, was fourth consecutive game with a TD reception, tying for the third longest streak in franchise history (recorded five straight games with a TD reception in 2007 for 2nd place) … did not start and recorded two receptions for 26 yards and a TD vs. Oak (9/26); first time he did not start a game he appeared in as Cards opened up with a two TE, two RB set with one WR from their own three-yard line … registered three receptions for 30 yards @ Sea (10/24), becoming the youngest player in NFL history (27 years, 54 days) to reach 550 career receptions … recorded six receptions for 72 yards and tied career-high with two TDs vs. TB (10/31); marked 11th multi-TD game of his career … played in 100th career game and led team with 107 yards on seven receptions @ Min (11/7) … made 100th career start vs. Sea (11/14), totaling 91 yards on a team-high seven receptions and hauled in a two-point conversion … totaled 72 yards on six receptions vs. Den (12/12) to surpass Anquan Boldin (586, 2003-09) as the franchise all-time receptions leader; with 72 yards receiving moved past Jackie Smith (7,918, 1963-77) into second place on the franchise career receiving yardage list … registered nine receptions for 125 yards @ Car (12/19) to surpass 600 career receptions; accounted for five of the Cardinals six longest plays of the game (receptions of 14, 15, 17, 20 and 41 yards) … registered one reception vs. Dal (12/25), a 26-yard catch that converted a 4th-n-15 from the AZ 19 with just over a minute to play in the game, extending a drive that resulted in a game winning FG … tied a season-high with 125 receiving yards on season-best 11 receptions with a TD in the season finale @ SF (1/2/11); marked 26th 100-yard receiving game of his career and third of 2010.
2009: Selected as a team captain, started all 16 regular season games for the second straight season and for the fourth time in his career … earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection after establishing a career-high and tying for the league lead with 13 receiving TDs … became the first player in franchise history to record 10+ TDs in three consecutive seasons … selected to the Sporting News All-Pro team and to the Associated Press All-Pro second team … ranked second in the NFC in receptions (97) … registered fourth 1,000-yard receiving season of his career and his third straight, becoming the first player in franchise history with three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons; joined Anquan Boldin (5) as the only receivers in team history with at least four 1,000-yard seasons … recorded 71 yards receiving in the season opener vs. SF (9/13) to surpass 6,000 career yards, becoming the second youngest receiver in NFL history to reach the milestone (26 years, 13 days) … registered one TD @ Jax (9/20) to mark the eighth consecutive game with a TD dating back to the 2008 regular and postseason; marked the fourth consecutive regular season game with a TD, tied for the third longest streak in team history … tied career-high with 13 receptions (13, @ NYG, 9/11/05) for 100 yards and one TD @ Sea (10/18); marked 51st TD of his career, tying Ottis Anderson and John David Crow for third-highest total in franchise history … registered six receptions for 83 yards @ NYG (10/25); marked 75th consecutive game with at least one reception, passing Roy Green for the fourth longest streak in franchise history … registered team-highs with nine receptions for 123 yards and two TDs @ Chi (11/8); marked his 10th game with two TDs … recorded one TD on seven receptions for 73 yards vs. Sea (11/15); moved past Mel Gray (6,644, 1971-82) for fifth place on the franchise receiving yardage list … totaled four receptions @ Ten (11/29) to eclipse 500 in just his 87th career game, becoming the second-fastest receiver (in terms of games played) in NFL history to reach the mark (Anquan Boldin-80 games) … registered a team-high eight receptions for a season-high 143 yards and one TD vs. Min (12/6); second quarter TD reception gave him 10 TDs on the season, making him the first player in franchise history to record 10+ TDs in three consecutive seasons (10-2007, 12-2008) … hauled in two receptions for 22 yards and left the game early in the third quarter with a right knee sprain but returned later in the quarter to finish the game @ SF (12/14) … made 90th career start and recorded four receptions for 36 yards and one TD @ Det (12/20) to register fourth 1,000-yard receiving season of his career and his third straight … recorded three receptions for 17 yards and one TD in the regular season finale vs. GB (1/3/10) to set a single season career-high of 13 TDs (third most in franchise history), surpassing his old career-high of 12 TDs set in 2008; moved into third place on the franchise career receptions list (523), passing Roy Green (522, 1979-90) … registered 82 yards on six receptions with two TDs vs. GB (1/10/10) in the Wild Card matchup; had more receiving yards (628) in his first five postseason games than any player in NFL history, passing Randy Moss (584); had at least one TD reception in five consecutive postseason games, tying the third longest streak in NFL postseason history (John Stallworth-8, David Givens-7); marked ninth TD reception in fifth postseason game, an NFL record for a player in their first five postseason games … registered a team-high 77 receiving yards on six receptions @ NO (1/16/10); recorded at least six receptions in all six career postseason games.
2008: Started all 20 games in 2008, recording 11 100-yard receiving games and for the second straight year, led the NFC with 96 receptions and a career-best 1,431 receiving yards with 12 TDs during the regular season ... earned first selection to the Associated Press All-Pro Team ... became the first player in NFL history with four consecutive 100+ yard receiving games in a single postseason ... for the fourth time in his career totaled 100+ yards receiving in the first half (102) vs. Mia (9/14) … recorded third straight 100-yard receiving game with 122 yards on eight receptions @ NYJ (9/28); joined Anquan Boldin (10 rec., 119 yds.) to mark the second time in three weeks that both eclipsed 100 yards receiving in the same game; Steve Breaston added 122 yards on nine receptions to mark only the second time in franchise history that three receivers went over 100 yards receiving in the same game (last happened on 11/10/68 vs. Pit) ... with Boldin injured, stepped up to tie for the team lead with seven receptions for 52 yards and hauled in two TDs vs. Buf (10/5); in 65th career game, reached 5,000 career receiving yards, tying WR Isaac Bruce as the seventh-fastest receiver in league history to reach the milestone ... with five receptions for 71 yards vs. NYG (11/23) he surpassed 400 career receptions, becoming the youngest receiver in NFL history (25 years, 119 days) to reach the milestone; eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on the season to become the third WR in franchise history with three 1,000-yard seasons (Boldin-4 and Roy Green-3); marked the second time he and Boldin have each gone over 1,000 yards in the same season (2005) and third time in franchise history that two receivers have eclipsed 1,000 yards ... registered 19th career 100-yard receiving game and sixth of 2008 with 101 yards on three receptions as well as a career-long 78-yard TD @ NE (12/21) to tie his single season career-high of 10 TDs established in 2005 and 2007 ... had 130 yards on five receptions and two TDs vs. Sea (12/28) to establish a then career-high of 12 TDs on the season; 46th career TD passed Mel Gray (1971-82) for third most in franchise history; marked eighth career multiple TD game and third of 2008 to tie single season career-high for multiple TD games in one season, set in 2007 … in his playoff debut, recorded 101 yards on six receptions including a 42-yard TD on a flea flicker vs. Atl (1/3/09) that was the fourth longest pass play in Arizona postseason history ... established a new franchise record for receiving yards in a postseason game with 166 on eight receptions and one TD @ Car (1/10/09) ... tied the NFL postseason record for most TDs in a game by scoring a career-best three TDs in the first half and registered 152 receiving yards vs. Phi (1/18/09), establishing a new NFL record for receiving yards in a single postseason with 419, surpassing the 409 yards that Jerry Rice amassed in the 1988 playoffs with San Francisco ... tied a Super Bowl record with two TDs on seven receptions for 127 yards vs. Pit (2/1/09); dating back to the regular season he totaled over 100 receiving yards in a career-high six straight games.
2007: Started all 15 games played and was selected as a starter for second career Pro Bowl (2005) after finishing the season atop the NFC in receptions (100) and receiving yards (1,409); receiving yards tied his own career best set in 2005 for the fourth-most in franchise history; along with Anquan Boldin, became the first teammates in NFL history to record performances of 11+ catches and 160+ receiving yards in consecutive weeks (Boldin, 13 for 162 and 2 TDs vs. Atl 12/23; Fitzgerald 11 for 171 and 2 TDs vs. StL 12/30) … recorded first 100-yard receiving game of the season and 10th of his career, catching a game-high 10 passes for 120 yards and recovering a Jeff Reed onside kick vs. Pit (9/30) … for the eighth straight week led team in receptions with nine for a season-high 156 yards and two TDs including a 48-yard hail mary to end the first half vs. SF (11/25); surpassed 1,000 receiving yards on the season for the second time in his career (1,409 in 2005); by doing it in 11 games became the second-fastest Cardinal receiver to reach the mark; passed Larry Centers (29, 1990-98) to record the most TDs by a Cardinal (30) since the team moved to Arizona in 1988 … after being limited in practice for second straight week, recorded an 18-yard TD reception @ NO (12/16) to give him at least one in five consecutive games … set franchise record with 136 receiving yards in the first half and went on to register a season-best 11 receptions for 171 yards (13th career 100+ yard game, fourth of 2007) and two TDs vs. StL (12/30); teamed with Edgerrin James (102) and Kurt Warner (300) to become the first trio to record at least 100-yards receiving, 100-yards rushing and 300-yards passing in the same game since 10/7/84 @ Dal when Neil Lomax (354), Roy Green (189) and Ottis Anderson (110) achieved the feat; total of 10 TDs on the season tied his previous career-best, set in 2005.
2006: With 946 yards on 69 catches (six TDs), he finished just shy of his second career 1,000-yard season despite missing three starts due to injury … for the second year in a row, opened the season with over 100 yards receiving after hauling in nine passes for 133 yards vs. SF (9/10) … starting his 37th straight game, caught two passes for 15 yards, including a five-yard TD reception to give the Cardinals an early 14-0 lead before leaving in the second quarter with a hamstring injury vs. KC (10/8) … inactive for the first time in his NFL career with a hamstring injury vs. Chi (10/16) on Monday Night and had to miss the next three contests … while recording his ninth career 100-yard game, set a new career-high with 172 yards on 11 receptions @ Min (11/26); his 172 yards were the highest in the NFL in Week 12 and with Anquan Boldin’s 140 yards marked the fifth time that the duo both finished a game with over 100 yards receiving; 11 receptions also put him over 200 career receptions (205) … led the team with 77 yards on five catches vs. Den (12/17); eclipsed the 3,000-yard receiving mark for his career … for the second game in a row, led the Cardinals with 93 receiving yards on four catches, including a six-yard TD @ SF (12/24).
2005: Set a new franchise record for receptions in a season with 103 in his second season … recorded a career-high 13 receptions for 155 yards and one TD in the season opener @ NYG (9/11) … had his second consecutive 100-yard receiving day vs. Car (10/9), hauling in nine receptions for 136 yards and one TD … posted his fourth 100-yard game of the season after grabbing eight passes for 102 yards vs. Sea (11/6) … had his fifth 100-yard receiving game and his second consecutive @ Det (11/13) after hauling in nine passes for 141 yards, including an eight-yard TD pass from Kurt Warner … recorded four receptions for 41 yards and fell one yard shy of breaking 1,000 yards on the season vs. Jax (11/27); added a five-yard TD reception from Warner to put the Cardinals within seven points with just under three minutes remaining in the game … surpassed 1,000 yards on his first reception of the day @ SF (12/4) and finished the afternoon with eight receptions for 129 yards … totaled six catches for 85 yards and one TD @ Hou (12/18) and became only the sixth player in team history to record more than 90 receptions in a single season … set a new team record for receptions in a season with 103 for 1,409 yards after posting six receptions for 80 yards @ Ind (1/1/06) … along with Boldin, the duo became only the third pair of teammates in NFL history to post 1,400+ receiving yards in a season and the third set to record over 100 receptions in the same season.
2004: The Cardinals first-round selection in the 2004 Draft (third overall), led the team and finished second among NFL rookies in receiving with 58 receptions for 780 yards and eight TDs … in his first career start @ StL (9/12), caught nine passes for a team-high 70 receiving yards; opened the game with a 37-yard flea flicker reception from Josh McCown which was the longest offensive play of the game for either team … had a team-high five receptions for 94 yards and scored his first career TD, a 24-yard pass from McCown @ SF (10/10) … recorded a 39-yard reception on the second play of the game en route to four receptions for a team-high 73 yards vs. Sea (10/24); attempted a pass on the first play of the game but was sacked for a loss of seven yards; recorded a 25-yard TD grab on the Cardinals second drive of the game, putting the Cards on the board first with a 7-0 lead … did not record a reception for the first time all season @ Buf (10/31); in the windy conditions the Cardinals completed only nine passes … tied Boldin for receptions with five for 92 yards @ Mia (11/7); four of those receptions came for 84 yards in the fourth quarter; set up a five-yard Emmitt Smith TD run after connecting with McCown for a 32-yard gain; caught a 48-yard pass from McCown to put the Cardinals on the Miami three yard-line with 1:07 remaining and four plays later tied the score at 23 with a two-yard TD reception with 19 seconds remaining; Neil Rackers extra point gave the Cardinals a 24-23 lead to win the game; his 48-yard reception at Miami was the team’s longest all season … snagged two 29-yard TD passes from McCown in the fourth quarter @ Sea (12/26) to put the Cardinals within three points; finished the game with four receptions for 70 yards … became the first Cardinals receiver since the 1970 NFL/AFL Merger to catch two TD passes in consecutive games.
College:
Attended prep school at Valley Forge (PA) Military Academy after his senior year of high school ... eligible for the 2004 NFL Draft since three years had passed since his high school class graduated ... one of the most decorated receivers in Big East Conference history … a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2003, finished second to Oklahoma QB Jason White by just 128 points (1,481-1,353) … Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year, Biletnikoff Award winner, and Columbus Touchdown Club Player of the Year … unanimous
All-America selection as a sophomore at University of Pittsburgh … in just 26 games with the Panthers, caught 161 passes for 2,677 yards (16.6-yard avg.) and 34 TDs … only Antonio Bryant (173, 1999–2001) and Latef Grim (178, 1998–2000) recorded more receptions in a career at Pittsburgh … his 2,677 yards rank behind Grim (2,680), Dietrich Jells (3,003, 1991–95) and Bryant (3,061), and 34 receiving scores broke the school career record of 30 by Bryant … also holds the school record with at least one TD catch in 16 consecutive games … first player in school history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons receiving … his 14 games with at least 100 yards receiving broke the previous Panthers all-time record of 13 set by Bryant … posted 35 receptions for 420 yards and seven TDs in six games at Valley Forge Military Academy.
In the media
Fitzgerald was featured on the cover of the EA Sports video game NCAA Football 2005. He was also one of two players (along with Troy Polamalu) featured on the cover of Madden NFL 10,making them the first two players to be featured on a Madden NFL cover together.
Personal:
Two-time All-State and prep All-America receiver at Academy of the Holy Angels (Minneapolis, MN) High School … recorded 73 receptions for 1,254 yards (17.2 yard avg.) and 17 TDs as a senior, and had 54 catches for 1,347 yards (24.9 yard avg.) with 12 TDs and 10 consecutive 100-yard receiving games as a junior … also a three-year defensive starter, playing free safety as a senior and OLB as a junior and sophomore … lettered twice in basketball and once in track … studied in the College of Arts and Sciences at Pittsburgh … father, Larry Sr., played football at Indiana State from 1975–77 and is currently the sports editor for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder … his mother, Carol, passed away in April of 2003 after a seven-year bout with cancer; Larry keeps her driver’s license in his wallet next to his own … younger brother, Marcus, played WR at Marshall from 2004-07 … studying Communications at University of Phoenix.
Fitzgerald's father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., is a sportswriter for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. When he covered Super Bowl XLIII, he was believed to be the first reporter to cover his own son in a Super Bowl.Fitzgerald's mother, Carol, died of a brain hemorrhage while being treated for breast cancer in 2003.Fitzgerald also has a younger brother, Marcus Fitzgerald, who was a wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League.
Fitzgerald has a son named Devin.He had an order of protection filed against him by the mother of his child in October 2008 after an altercation between the two.
No comments:
Post a Comment