ARIZONA CARDINALS

Larry Fitzgerald ‘elated’ to see Cardinals win season opener

Sep 14, 2021, 9:36 AM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald smiles as he talks with teammates as they stretch ...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald smiles as he talks with teammates as they stretch during NFL football practice at State Farm Stadium Friday, July 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)


For the first time since 2003, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did not take the field with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 on Sunday.

He was enjoying the game at home, watching football while doing crunches, riding a Peloton and drinking a smoothie, as he said on his podcast Let’s Go with Jim Gray on Tuesday.

Fitzgerald told Gray that he was happy for his former Cardinals teammates following their 38-13 road win against the Tennessee Titans.

“I was elated to see them playing that well, to jump out to that big lead and to see Chandler (Jones) get to his 100th sack, to be that dominant defensive player and frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year right now was fantastic,” Fitzgerald said. “And to see Kyler be able to beat them with his feet and arms. It was a decisive victory and a great team victory. So I was happy to see them get it done.”

Fitzgerald previously said on the show that he did not have the urge to suit up, at least to start the season.

The 17-year Cardinal was banged up toward the end of the 2020 campaign, missing the finale with a groin injury. He did not show his cards during the offseason as to whether or not he wanted to return until late August.

He said to Gray that he had a good time watching NFL action as a fan on Sunday.

“It was fun to be able to watch a few of the games around the league,” Fitzgerald said. “It was great to see the high-flying acrobatic catches and some of the unbelievable defensive plays by T.J. Watt. There are some phenomenal players and to be able to get a chance to watch it in depth from a distance is fun.”

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