History of Larry Fitzgerald in Timeline
Larry Fitzgerald is a retired American professional football player, renowned as one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. He spent his entire 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third overall in 2004. Prior to his NFL career, Fitzgerald played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, achieving unanimous All-American status in 2003. His exceptional skills and sportsmanship have earned him widespread recognition from fans, coaches, and fellow players.
1994: Creation of Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award
In 1994, the Rotary Club of Tulsa created the Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award.
2003: Death of Mother
In 2003, Carol, Larry Fitzgerald's mother, passed away from a brain hemorrhage while being treated for breast cancer.
2003: Established Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund
In 2003, Larry Fitzgerald established the “Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund” in honor of his mother, who died of breast cancer. The organization offers support to causes that Fitzgerald's mother held dear, including educating urban youth about HIV/AIDS and breast cancer issues.
2005: Began friendship with Robert Sarver
In 2005, Larry Fitzgerald began a long-standing friendship with Robert Sarver.
2005: Featured on NCAA Football 2005 Cover
In 2005, Larry Fitzgerald was featured on the cover of the EA Sports video game NCAA Football 2005.
2009: Pro Bowl Selection
In 2009, Larry Fitzgerald was named to his third consecutive and fourth career Pro Bowl due to his performance throughout the season.
2010: Fifth Pro Bowl Selection
During the 2010 season, Larry Fitzgerald recorded 90 receptions for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns. Following the 2010 season, he was named to his fifth Pro Bowl.
2010: 2010 Season Performance
In 2010, Larry Fitzgerald started the season with a go-ahead touchdown against the St. Louis Rams. He recorded three games with over 100 receiving yards. The Cardinals, however, did not make the playoffs, with a 5-11 record.
August 20, 2011: Contract Extension
On August 20, 2011, Larry Fitzgerald signed an 8-year, $120 million contract with the Cardinals, tying him with Richard Seymour as the fifth highest paid player in the NFL.
2011: 2011 Season Performance and NFC Offensive Player of the Week
In 2011, Larry Fitzgerald had a strong season, exceeding 100 yards in six games. Following his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. The Cardinals finished with an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs in 2011.
2011: NFL Top 100 Players Ranking
In 2011, Larry Fitzgerald was ranked as the 14th best player in the league among his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.
August 2012: Honored with Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award
In August 2012, Larry Fitzgerald was honored with the 14th annual Pro Football Weekly Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award for his community and charitable contributions.
2012: NFC Offensive Player of the Week
During Week 3 of the 2012 season, Larry Fitzgerald had nine receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
2012: Cardinals' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
Following the 2012 football season, Larry Fitzgerald was named as the Cardinals' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
2012: All-Pro Second-Team Selection and Sixth Pro Bowl Selection
Overall, in the 2012 season, Fitzgerald had another stellar season, catching 80 passes for 1,411 yards. Fitzgerald's accomplishments were recognized by an All-Pro second-team selection as well as his sixth Pro Bowl selection in 2012.
2013: Honored with NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award
During the 2013 season, Larry Fitzgerald was honored with the NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award, which recognizes a leader in sports whose life has been touched by cancer and who encourages cancer research.
2013: Seventh Pro Bowl Selection
In 2013, Larry Fitzgerald had 71 receptions for 798 yards and four touchdowns. He was named to his sixth consecutive and seventh career Pro Bowl.
2013: 2013 Season Performance
In 2013, Larry Fitzgerald started the season with eight receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns against the St. Louis Rams. He recorded his first performance topping 100 yards against the San Francisco 49ers, and had multiple games with notable performances.
May 2014: Lenovo Tablet Donation
In May 2014, Larry Fitzgerald and Lenovo provided five schools in Minneapolis and four schools in Phoenix Lenovo tablets and equipment to enable the children to gain access to technology, through the First Down Fund.
2014: NFC Offensive Player of the Week
In 2014, Larry Fitzgerald had a season-high 160 yards and a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, earning his third career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.
2014: Selected as Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Male Recipient
In 2014, Larry Fitzgerald was selected as the 2014 Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Male Recipient, recognizing his success in sports and his role as a positive role model.
2014: Cardinals Make Playoffs
In the 2014 season, Fitzgerald had 63 receptions for 784 yards and two touchdowns as the Cardinals went 11–5 and returned to the playoffs.
2014: NFL Top 100 Players Ranking
Larry Fitzgerald finished ranked 38th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list.
February 18, 2015: Contract Extension
On February 18, 2015, Larry Fitzgerald was signed to a new multi-year contract worth at least $11 million guaranteed over the next two seasons.
2015: Ninth Pro Bowl Selection
For the 2015 season, Fitzgerald had 109 catches for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. For his accomplishments during the 2015 season, Fitzgerald was selected to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time.
2015: NFC Offensive Player of the Week
In 2015, Larry Fitzgerald had 112 receiving yards and caught three touchdown passes in a game against the Chicago Bears, earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career. In Week 13, he became the youngest player to reach 1,000 career receptions.
2015: Back-to-Back Games with Over 100 Receiving Yards
In Week 2 of the 2019 season, which was a 23–17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, he had five receptions for 104 receiving yards for his first back-to-back games with over 100 receiving yards since Weeks 2–3 of the 2015 season.
2015: NFL Top 100 Players Ranking
Larry Fitzgerald was ranked 68th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 list.
January 16, 2016: NFC Divisional Round Game Victory
On January 16, 2016, Larry Fitzgerald helped his quarterback Carson Palmer record his first playoff win with eight catches for a franchise-record 176 yards. Fitzgerald was the Cardinals' entire offense in overtime, with a 75-yard reception to open overtime, and a five-yard touchdown reception from Palmer two plays later, which resulted in a 26–20 win.
August 5, 2016: Contract Extension
On August 5, 2016, Larry Fitzgerald signed a one-year, $11 million contract extension with the Cardinals.
September 11, 2016: 100 Career Touchdowns
On September 11, 2016, Larry Fitzgerald had eight receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the 10th player to reach 100 career touchdowns, in the season-opening loss to the New England Patriots.
2016: Leading the NFL in Receptions
At the end of the 2016 season, Larry Fitzgerald led the NFL in receptions for the second time with 107, and had 1,023 receiving yards with six receiving touchdowns. He was named to his tenth career Pro Bowl.
2016: Graduated from University of Phoenix
In 2016, Larry Fitzgerald completed his undergraduate degree with the University of Phoenix, fulfilling a promise that he made to his mother to finish his education, and became a spokesperson for the institution.
2016: NFL Top 100 Players Ranking
Larry Fitzgerald was ranked 27th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.
2016: Career Leader in Receptions and Receiving Yards
With the retirements of Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin at the end of 2016, the 34-year-old Fitzgerald entered the 2017 season as the career leader in receptions and receiving yards among active players.
November 17, 2017: Contract Extension
On November 17, 2017, Larry Fitzgerald signed a one-year contract extension with the Cardinals worth $11 million through the 2018 season.
December 19, 2017: 11th Pro Bowl Selection
On December 19, 2017, Larry Fitzgerald was named to his 11th Pro Bowl.
2017: Received Heritage Award from Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In 2017, Larry Fitzgerald received the Heritage Award from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry due to his ongoing commitment to improving the lives of Arizonans.
2017: NFL Top 100 Players Ranking
Larry Fitzgerald was ranked 45th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.
August 30, 2018: Spoke at John McCain's Memorial Service
On August 30, 2018, Larry Fitzgerald spoke at the memorial service for U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate John McCain in Phoenix.
2018: Won AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
In 2018, Larry Fitzgerald made history by becoming the first African American amateur to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, partnering with PGA Tour professional Kevin Streelman.
2018: NFL Top 100 Players Ranking
Larry Fitzgerald was ranked 27th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
2018: Became More Involved with Suns
Since 2018, Larry Fitzgerald became more active and involved with the Phoenix Suns, developing a long-standing friendship with franchise owner Robert Sarver since 2005.
January 23, 2019: Contract Extension Announcement
On January 23, 2019, Larry Fitzgerald announced he would return for the 2019 season, and signed a one-year contract extension with the Cardinals.
October 2019: Active Venture Investor
As of October 2019, Larry Fitzgerald was an active venture investor, having invested in 40 to 50 companies and operating a travel business.
2019: NFL Record for Most Receptions with One Team
During week 14 of 2019, against the Detroit Lions, Fitzgerald set an NFL record for most receptions with one team with 1,282.
January 15, 2020: Re-signed with the Cardinals
On January 15, 2020, Larry Fitzgerald re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year deal worth $11 million.
January 22, 2020: Bought minority stake in Phoenix Suns
On January 22, 2020, Larry Fitzgerald bought a minority stake in the NBA's Phoenix Suns to become a partial team owner.
November 26, 2020: Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List
On November 26, 2020, Larry Fitzgerald was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus.
2020: Won AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Again
In 2020, Larry Fitzgerald and Kevin Streelman won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for the second time.
September 2021: Hosted 'Let's Go!' Podcast
In September 2021, Larry Fitzgerald partnered with Jim Gray and Tom Brady to host the weekly ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast, which covers news and moments from around the NFL.
February 16, 2022: Fitzgerald admitted he was not planning on returning to play in the NFL
On February 16, 2022, Larry Fitzgerald admitted he was not planning on returning to play in the NFL.
September 7, 2022: Joined ESPN's Monday Night Countdown
On September 7, 2022, it was announced that Larry Fitzgerald was joining ESPN's Monday Night Countdown.
September 2022: Began as an analyst for ESPN
In September 2022, Larry Fitzgerald began working as an analyst for ESPN, providing commentary and analysis throughout the NFL season.
February 7, 2023: Remained Part of Suns Ownership
On February 7, 2023, Larry Fitzgerald continued to remain a part of the Phoenix Suns' ownership following the buyout of the team to new owners.
2023: Participated in Golf4All Day event
In 2023, Larry Fitzgerald participated in the Golf4All Day event before the 3M Open, which promotes inclusivity in the sport.
2023: Nominated as a Henry Crown Fellow
In 2023, Larry Fitzgerald was nominated as a Henry Crown Fellow.
2024: Named Honorary Co-Chair of U.S. Amateur Championship
In 2024, Larry Fitzgerald was named an honorary co-chair of the U.S. Amateur Championship.
December 2025: Son signed National Letter of Intent to Notre Dame
In December 2025, Devin, Larry Fitzgerald's son, signed his National Letter of Intent to Notre Dame.
2025: Set to compete in WM Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-Am
In 2025, Larry Fitzgerald is set to compete in the WM Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-Am at TPC Scottsdale.
2025: Won the Heisman Humanitarian Award
In 2025, Larry Fitzgerald won the Heisman Humanitarian Award.
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