The Steelers lost on Sunday — but Pittsburgh is still alive in the NFL playoffs.
Former Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s game-winning catch-and-run that propelled his Arizona Cardinals past the Green Bay Packers reminded fans of the veteran’s superstar heroics.
But what Fitzgerald said immediately after the game highlights his true Hall of Fame-caliber character, and that thoughtfulness deserves further appreciation.
“Mort, I want to tell you, man,” Fitzgerald said to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, who recently revealed a throat cancer diagnosis. “We’re thinking about you, and fight, baby. Love you, Mort.”
While his on-field performance stands for itself, Fitzgerald’s life outside of football really separates him as a once-in-a-generation personality.
In 2012, he won the NFL’s annual Humanitarian Award after making multiple aid trips to Africa and working with the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund to educate urban youth about breast cancer and HIV/AIDS. He has also made five USO tours to visit soldiers overseas and raised money to support injured military servicepeople.
The list of Fitzgerald’s off-field accomplishments could go on. Two years ago, Fitzgerald became the Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Male Recipient, awarded to role model athletes who both excel in their sports and give back to their communities.
His 75-yard catch to set up the win brought Cardinals fans to their feet chanting his name, and his teammates said nobody deserved the win more than Fitzgerald.
“It was very appropriate for him to finish the game that way,” Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer said. “He means so much to this team and to this community. It’s spectacular, some of the things he does.”
Other players — even cornerbacks, who clash with players at Fitz’s position — have only compliments for the 12-year veteran.
“He’s just a genuine human being,” former Steelers defensive back Ike Taylor said. “You can’t trash talk that.”
Others, from current NFL players to non-football athletes, have reached out to Fitzgerald to congratulate himfor his performance. The future Hall of Famer said he felt honored by the attention.
He said he received about 500 congratulatory texts since Saturday night from NFL peers Steve Smith and Joe Haden to other athlete superstarsLeBron James and Charles Barkley.
“They’re people who are sincerely happy for me,” Fitzgerald said. “It makes you really appreciate the relationships and friendships you’ve built across the league and lets you know that you’re respected.”
Still, his accomplishments outside of football rival his abilities on the field. Fitzgerald left Pitt after the 2003 season with a team-record 34 touchdowns, and he finished second in the 2003 Heisman voting. In the pros, he became the youngest player to reach 1,000 career receptions and made nine Pro Bowls.
The only thing missing from his long resumé? A championship ring.
Fitzgerald, the longest-tenured player on the Cardinals’ roster, is now one game away from reaching his second Super Bowl. He will have a chance for redemption after coming up short in Super Bowl XLIII. His teammates say they want the ring for Larry.
“I hope my development and success can benefit him … and eventually help get him that Super Bowl ring he’s been chasing since he’s been in the league,” teammate Michael Floyd said.
So, disheartened Steelers fans who may want nothing to do with football until next season should still pay attention — another Pittsburgh fan favorite is chasing his own achievement.
“I still wish I could do some of the things that I did in the past … but my role is what it is, and I accepted it to do what I could to help my team,” FItzgerald said. “It’s not over yet. I’ve still got work to do.”