Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald Jr. penned an emotional note to his father, beloved sportswriter, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., after his death at age 71.
“My father was a person of strength, love and encouragement,” Fitzgerald Jr., 42, wrote via Instagram, alongside a family statement and pair of photos of the duo on the golf course. “He opened countless doors for me and my brother. He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction, he was the rock of our family.”
He continued, “He taught us that perseverance, labor, and unwavering commitment are the foundations of a meaningful life and private success. I’ll carry his love, words, and wisdom with me at all times.”
Fitzgerald Sr. died on Monday, though no reason behind death has been released. His death comes roughly two months before his son is ready to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was revealed Fitzgerald Jr. had been voted into the Hall of Fame in February.
Fitzgerald Sr. spent greater than 4 a long time covering Minnesota sports for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and, in 2009, became the primary person to cover his son within the Super Bowl when Fitzgerald Jr.’s Arizona Cardinals fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I won’t cheer,” Fitzgerald Sr. told ESPN on the time. “I’m going to remain objective. I’ve come too far to suddenly show up within the press box with pompoms. But if you happen to could put a monitor on my insides, you’d find an entire fan club in there.”
Fitzgerald Jr. spent his entire profession with the Cardinals, retiring in 2020 as an 11-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Growing up, he and his brother, Marcus, shared a decent bond with their father, often joining him within the Spokesman-Recorder newsroom.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Larry Fitzgerald, Sr., a loyal father, husband, grandfather and trailblazer within the Minnesota broadcasting community,” the Fitzgerald family wrote in a press release that Fitzgerald Jr. also shared in his Instagram tribute. “He left us peacefully this afternoon, surrounded by his family and family members.”
The statement continued, “We’re so grateful for all of the love and support we’ve got received during this difficult time, especially from the team at Fairview Southdale Hospital. We ask for privacy as we mourn his loss.”
Spokesman-Recorder CEO and publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard remembered Fitzgerald Sr. as a “strong voice” within the Minnesota community.
“I believe he was sort of like our community sports authority,” she told The Athletic on Tuesday. ”He’ll be greatly missed within the sports world and just in the neighborhood basically.”