CLEVELAND — “Larry Legend.”
Usually, that nickname is reserved for Boston Celtics great Larry Bird of the National Basketball Association, but after a 16-year run with the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League, it should very well apply to All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Although the Cleveland Browns are looking to limit Fitzgerald’s effectiveness while trying to win a critical road game to remain in the playoff race, they have plenty of respect for the Pro Bowl pass catcher.
“What you realize about Larry is the things he does off the field more than anything and the type of person he is off the field, and then, seeing how hard he works on the field is just very impressive because he works tremendously every day,” said Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, who was with the Cardinals from 2007-2017.
Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the Cardinals’ head coach last year, added, “Phenomenal, outstanding player, but even a better person. Everything that he stands for, he, in my opinion, is a true pillar of the National Football League in the things that he does, not only on the field, but off the field.”
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft after a standout career at the University of Pittsburgh, Fitzgerald has worked to develop into an historically good player, both in Cardinals franchise and NFL annals.
Over 247 career games, Fitzgerald has turned his 1,367 receptions into 16,948 yards, a 12.4 yards-per-catch average, 119 touchdowns, 231 20-yard gains, 34 40-yard plays and 873 first downs against just 13 fumbles lost.
Fitzgerald has gone over the 1,000-yard mark nine times (2005, 2007-2011, 2015-2017) with five double-digit touchdown seasons (2005, 2007-2009, 2013).
“Larry is a guy that I’ve studied and been a big fan of since I was in college, since he was in college and just things that he’s done,” Browns receiver Jarvis Landry said. “He tracks the football and he’s a guy who, obviously we’ve met before and we’ve talked and texted, and I’m looking forward to seeing him for sure.”
Fitzgerald is near the top of every major receiving category in NFL history.
Fitzgerald is second only to Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice for the most receptions and receiving yards, leads all players with 1,367 catches with just one team, and is sixth on the league’s all-time touchdown receptions list. Also, Fitzgerald is second to Rice in receptions by stadium (635 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona), receiving yards by stadium (7,817) and consecutive games with a catch (240).
Already, Fitzgerald holds franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches and games played, and has reached the 100-yard mark in 49 games, which is good for ninth all-time.
“Larry has been a fixture there, one of the greatest of all time,” Kitchens said.
“Larry loves the game, first and foremost. He is probably one of the hardest workers I know. He works, he practices and he works. He does a great job of staying in the moment and trying to get better each day. He is a prime example of just continuing to work.
“Everybody thought he was declining six years into his career, and he just hit a new level. His ball skills are second to none. His ball skills are impeccable. He just loves the game and he competes, and it means something to him. It matters to him. He wants to win. He works. All the little attributes that make up a good football player, he is off the charts with.”
RELATED | ‘It would be special.’ Cleveland Browns linemen hoping Nick Chubb finishes year as NFL’s top rusher