ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald passes Tony Gonzalez, 2nd all-time in catches

Sep 29, 2019, 3:58 PM | Updated: Sep 30, 2019, 7:17 am
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)...
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Add another accolade to Larry Fitzgerald’s resume: The Arizona Cardinals’ veteran wide receiver has moved into second place all-time in NFL history in catches.

Coming into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, Fitzgerald needed five receptions to move into sole possession of second place all-time for career catches. During the fourth quarter of the eventual 27-10 loss, he caught his fourth pass of the game for 11 yards to tie Tony Gonzalez, who had 1,325 catches.

On the very next play, Fitzgerald caught a short pass for 15 yards from quarterback Kyler Murray to move up in the history books and pass Gonzalez.

The loss, not the historic day, occupied Fitzgerald’s mind after the game that dropped Arizona to 0-3-1 on the season.

“I don’t mean any disrespect to the guys on the all-time list,” the receiver said, “but it’s hard to take anything good from losing two in a row, three homes games out of four, and we don’t come out with a win. That’s pretty depressing, so there’s not much to really be happy about.”

Jerry Rice, who was in attendance on Sunday, holds the all-time catch record with 1,549 receptions.

So, too, was one of Fitzgerald’s most talented quarterbacks, Carson Palmer, who was inducted into Arizona’s Ring of Honor on Sunday.

Last November, Fitzgerald moved into second all-time in receiving yards, passing Terrell Owens during a loss to Kansas City. The all-time leader in that stat is also Rice, who had 22,895 yards. That’s a long ways away from Fitzgerald, who entered Sunday’s game with 16,532 for his career.

Also in Sunday’s game, Fitzgerald extended his streak to 231 straight games with at least one catch, which is the second-longest streak all-time.

Fitzgerald is in his 16th season with the Cardinals and ranks sixth in NFL history in touchdown catches. Sunday marked his 238th career game, and Fitzgerald has played all 16 games in 12 of his 15 completed seasons. He has led the NFL in catches twice (2005, 2016) and in touchdown catches twice (2008, 2009).

Array

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to throw against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise (22) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) lines up against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) 
              Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
            Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) as defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (99) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 27-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 27-10. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, exchange jerseys after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, left, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, exchange jerseys after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, exchange jerseys after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) greets Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 27-10. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches his career 1,325 catch to tie Tony Gonzalez for second place on the all-time receptions list during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, left, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray meet after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 27-10. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3), right, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) meet after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 27-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3), right, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) meet after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 27-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches his career 1,326 catch to pass Tony Gonzalez for second place on the all-time receptions list during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches his career 1,325 catch to tie Tony Gonzalez for second place on the all-time receptions list during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray (1) watch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scores a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in a catch as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Akeem King (36) and cornerback Ugo Amadi (28) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kevin Peterson (27) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) makes the catch as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson takes the snap against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (88) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tramaine Brock (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods (72) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to through against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) kneels on the turf after being tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) eludes the reach of Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (88) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (88) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) runs back an interception for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals offensive guard J.R. Sweezy (64) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) eludes the reach of Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers (21) celebrates after a missed field goal by the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll takes the field prior an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald warms up prior an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up prior an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches his team prior an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals sacks quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona.  (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

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