Larry Fitzgerald Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame as Part of Class of 2026

Larry Fitzgerald, the longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver and one of the most productive pass-catchers in NFL history, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio, cementing his place as a first-ballot selection and one of the defining players of his franchise.

Fitzgerald was enshrined at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium as part of the Hall’s Class of 2026. His election, announced during NFL Honors on Feb. 5 after the selection committee’s vote, came in his first year of eligibility. The Hall’s official entry lists him as a finalist once and elected in Year 1.

The significance of Fitzgerald’s induction was long established by his numbers and longevity. He spent his entire 17-year NFL career with Arizona from 2004 to 2020, finishing with 1,432 receptions, 17,492 receiving yards and 121 receiving touchdowns. At the time of his enshrinement, he ranked second in league history in both catches and receiving yards, trailing only Jerry Rice in each category.

Fitzgerald delivered an induction speech Saturday, and his bronze bust was unveiled by his eldest son, Devin, according to the Cardinals’ post-ceremony coverage. In remarks carried by the team, Fitzgerald said the honor “is never about one person.” He also nodded to the bond he built with the organization and its fan base over nearly two decades, saying, “It’s been 22 years and counting, Arizona.”

He joined a Class of 2026 that also includes quarterback Drew Brees, running back Roger Craig, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

For Arizona, the moment formalized what had long been true: Fitzgerald was the face of the Cardinals for a generation. Drafted No. 3 overall in 2004 out of Pittsburgh, he became a fixture of the franchise through coaching changes, roster turnover and one of the most memorable postseason runs in team history. He helped lead the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII after the 2008 season, giving the franchise a signature modern-era achievement even though Arizona fell short of a title.

His résumé extended beyond production. Fitzgerald was selected to 11 Pro Bowls, named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100 All-Time Team, and was the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year co-winner, one of the league’s highest honors for on-field excellence and community impact.

Former Cardinals teammates and coaches were among those in attendance in Canton, along with owner Michael Bidwill, according to team coverage.

In a career defined by consistency, durability and loyalty to one franchise, Fitzgerald retired as one of the NFL’s most accomplished receivers. His induction on Saturday placed that record permanently in Canton and underscored his standing in both league history and Arizona sports history.