Larry Fitzgerald's Success and Achievements in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Larry Fitzgerald

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Larry Fitzgerald. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2025: Won the Heisman Humanitarian Award

In 2025, Larry Fitzgerald won the Heisman Humanitarian Award.