Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame speech perfect end to illustrious career

Aug 8, 2026; Canton, OH, USA; Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald speaks during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

GLENDALE – Its hard to fit a two decade long football career into a 14-minute speech, but Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald continues to prove his excellence to this day. Saturday saw the enshrinement of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, including Fitzgerald. Throughout his time in the spotlight, the 42-year-old has been praised for his humbleness and generosity on and off the field. Larry Legend continued to prove those people right with Saturday’s speech filled with gratitude and thanks.

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From his sons and late father to his past teammates and head coaches, Fitzgerald took his day to reflect on the kindness of others.

Fitzgerald give thanks to Cardinals fans:

Throughout the speech, he talked about his family, starting with his three sons. Devin, Apollo and Milos were all in attendance, including an empty seat at their table for their late-great grandfather. The 11-time Pro Bowler highlighted the qualities of his father that he is grateful for like his endurance and patience throughout life that he has tried to replicate for himself. Fitzgerald already sees those qualities and more in his sons and is determined to be just as a support system to them as his father.

He highlighted his time in Minnesota as a ball boy with the Vikings. Dennis Green was the head coach of the time and saw something in the then 14-year-old to push him. The hard work led him to being an unanimous All-American at PITT, and a full circle moment when Green joined the Cardinals and convinced the franchise to draft Fitzgerald third overall.

Fitzgerald took the time to highlight people inside the Cardinals organization, starting with the late owner Bill Bidwill. He took the time to show the young 21-year-old around the city at all the business and community centers that his family helps at in Arizona.

That laid the groundwork for a Fitzgerald’s work across the Valley and starting The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation that focused on youth education, technology access and breast cancer awareness. His efforts earned him the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2016.

His thanks continued to his former teammates, coaches and peers that helped him down the right path. Fellow Hall of Famers like “Uncle” Cris Carter and Randy Moss became like big brothers to him, which started as him being a young fan from Minneapolis. Carter took him into his family, which Fitzgerald appreciate, even if he quickly chimed in to remind that he still has the better hands.

Fitzgerald credited Moss for teaching him generous, lending him his size 14 shoe and even his car. In high school, Moss would come in attendance for his games. That love continued for decades, leading to Moss being the one to tell him he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

All the stories and jokes the All-Pro wide receiver shared was to shine light on another person’s generous and guidance that led him to Saturday. In his shining moment, Fitzgerald chose the same path he has already taken, which is to be humble. Taking the time elevate others around him, doing that for nearly two decades in a Cardinals uniform.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports