Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald sees giving back as his personal responsibility

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Eleven-time Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald donned a white chef coat and proudly held a piece of steak he prepared at Dominick’s Steakhouse on a Wednesday night.

When asked what was harder, hitting the golf course, playing on the field or cooking a steak, the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver said, “definitely cooking a steak. … I burnt my fingers a couple of times.”

Fitzgerald, entering his 15th season with the team, was promoting his 10th annual Fitz’s Supper Club event, which will be held in late August at the Scottsdale steakhouse.

Fitzgerald’s involvement in the community and nationwide started with his First Down Fund, established in 2005. The charity’s two priorities, according to Fitzgerald’s website, is to “promote reading proficiency and technology” for children and “support events to prevent and cure breast cancer.”

“There’s nobody better to do it. Nobody gives back like Larry,” said Oliver Badgio, chief brand officer of Prime Steak Concept.

Badgio has been involved with Fitz’s Supper Club event for five years.

Fitzgerald’s charity work stems from his late mother’s involvement in the community.

“When we were young, my brother and I would see her doing it and want to be a part of it, so I promised myself once I had the platform and the ability to help, I was going to go full speed ahead and do it and thank God, I’ve been able to do it so far,” Fitzgerald said.

The 34-year-old was born in Minneapolis and despite living 1,600 miles from his hometown, Fitzgerald continues to give back to his Midwest community. Fitzgerald’s late grandfather, Dr. Robert Johnson, founded the Plano Child Development Center in Minnesota, which Fitzgerald donates to annually.

And entering his 15th season with the Cardinals, Fitzgerald is a constant presence and active member of the Arizona community.

“He’s an amazing person both on and off the field,” said Adam Richman, the Arizona Cardinals community relations director. “He does a lot in the community that nobody knows about. … He touches a lot of people.”

Fitzgerald said it’s his responsibility to give back. Referencing other athletes such as LeBron James and the new school he started, Fitzgerald said it is true greatness to use the time and resources professional athletes are blessed with to help those who are less fortunate.

“The things that we’ve been able to do have been magnificent,” Fitzgerald said. “Just giving kids technology and helping women with their mammograms and early detection of breast cancer. That’s where we are, and that’s where are scope of focus is.”

Despite his attention on the football field, with 1,234 receptions, 110 touchdowns and 15,545 yards in his 14 years with the Cardinals, Fitzgerald’s does not seek such fame in his charity work.

“He wants the event to be about the kids or the group or entity that he’s helping. He doesn’t want it to be about him,” Richman said. “That’s why I think he doesn’t want the attention or want to bang his chest.”

With the many events that Fitzgerald is involved in, he said his most memorable moments are those where he can help children in the community.

“When you go to school and you see kids working on some of the things that you have helped put in the school for them, it just really melts your heart to know that’s being utilized,” Fitzgerald said. “It just makes you feel like what you’re doing is not in vain. It’s for a worthy cause.”

The 10th annual Fitz’s Supper Club event will be held Aug. 27 at Dominick’s Steakhouse in Scottsdale.