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Professional football

Larry Fitzgerald: The Cardinals' Star Receiver Prepares for Super Bowl XLIII

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the Arizona Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, star receiver Larry Fitzgerald is ready to shine. In a news conference held just outside the Grand Hyatt hotel, Fitzgerald spoke about his eagerness to play in the big game and his appreciation for being a part of the Cardinals organization. Despite rumors of his potential trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, Fitzgerald remained committed to his team, signing a four-year, $40 million contract in 2007. He has since become one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, with a remarkable postseason performance that includes 23 catches for 419 yards and five touchdowns.

Key Takeaways:

  • Larry Fitzgerald, the Arizona Cardinals' star receiver, is on track to play in his first Super Bowl, having caught 23 passes for 419 yards and five touchdowns in three postseason games.
  • Fitzgerald revealed that he was mildly aware of the Philadelphia Eagles' interest in trading for him, but the idea of going to Philadelphia did not excite him much.
  • Despite his father's extensive experience in the media, Fitzgerald said that his father, Larry Sr., a writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, could not prepare him for the intense media attention leading up to the Super Bowl.
  • Fitzgerald expressed his appreciation for being drafted by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in 2004 and for being part of the team's foundation.
  • He attributed the team's transformation from a struggling franchise to a playoff contender to the players' dedication and the coaches' guidance.
  • Fitzgerald acknowledged that he felt a sense of responsibility to his teammates and the organization, stating, "I feel like I've been one of the founding parts of this, one of the guys who have been here a long time."

Statistics:

  • Larry Fitzgerald has 23 catches for 419 yards and five touchdowns in three postseason games.
  • He signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the Cardinals in 2007.
  • The Cardinals took Fitzgerald with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
  • The team's regular season record in Fitzgerald's first four seasons was 24-40.

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 27, 2009, article by Bob Brookover.
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
  • The Philadelphia Inquirer website.

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