Larry Fitzgerald’s reach felt beyond Arizona as Hall of Fame induction approaches

Per his request, Larry Fitzgerald will deliver the first induction speech at the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony in early July. Alas, following the death of his beloved father, that speech has changed in both tone and difficulty.

My heart hurts for the Cardinals legend and the most popular athlete in Arizona history. Fitzgerald posted a near-perfect playing career, from on-field production to contract negotiations to human relations. He never dropped a pass. He never fumbled a question. He showed respect to the game and everyone he encountered.

Fitzgerald recently threw a private dinner to thank media members who covered him over the years. It was a magical evening, and at one point, we all broke out a familiar chant that echoed through Tarbell’s restaurant:

“Lar-ry! Lar-ry! Lar-ry!”

We were lucky. We were able to express our gratitude in person, the way countless Cardinals fans have long desired. But the celebration has turned solemn.

Throughout his illustrious career, Fitzgerald carried deep regrets over the passing of his mother at age 47, and how he was too wrapped up in himself to be properly present following her breast cancer diagnosis. Now, he’s grieving the loss of his father five weeks before he puts on the gold jacket. It’s a terrible twist of fortune, and proof that no man outruns adversity, no matter how great he might be.

I hope the following will serve as a bit of sunshine and solace for an athlete who has given Arizona so much:

On a recent trip to Copenhagen, I met up with my new friend, Morten Risgaard. I’ve always been proud to have a faithful listener who lives in Denmark, but during a wonderful visit between our families, I learned it was more than Bickley & Marotta that drew him to Arizona sports.

(Dan Bickley/Arizona Sports)

Mostly, it was Larry Fitzgerald.

“The more I read, heard and saw about Fitz, the more he resonated with me,” Risgaard said. “Hard-working and never complaining. Team first, focused, humble and polite. My daughter Annabell was born the year Fitz was drafted, and so he was always a part of my family. As Annabell grew older, we shared this passion. We still do.

“She knows more about football than most Danes, let alone girls. Whenever we went to Arizona for vacations, we’d go to sports bars. We both got A-dub’s (Adrian Wilson) autograph at Majerle’s. We attended training camp in Flagstaff. We saw a game in Glendale.

“When she was six years old, I put a poster of Fitz on the wall on the inside of her door. When she did gymnastics, I’d use Fitz as an example for her. I would hold up my two index fingers right before competition, indicating No. 11. As in, “Be like Fitz.” Now, I’m 54, and she’s 21, and we’re still doing it. I just ran a half-marathon, and her last words to me were, “Be Fitz!!!! #11.”

Fitzgerald has been a treasure for Valley sports fans. But his reach goes well beyond our borders. And I hope all that love will dwarf the pain on what should be the greatest night of his life.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7.

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