Larry Fitzgerald Having Pitt Jersey Retired

Jun. 11, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald during mini camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is going to have his college football jersey retired at the University of Pittsburgh.  His jersey, No. 1, will be the ninth jersey retired by the school.  Fitzgerald played just two seasons with the Panthers yet turned out to be the best receiver in Panthers history.

He joins Mike Ditka, Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, Mark May, Hugh Green, Marshall Goldberg, and Bill Fralic as the only individuals to have their numbers retired at Pitt.   It is quite the honor given the company he joins on this list.

Fitz has 161 catches for 2,677 and 34 touchdowns in just 26 collegiate games.  Of course we all know the numbers he has put up since being drafted by the Cardinals in 2004.  He finished second in the Heisman Trophy vote in 2003, losing by just 128 votes to Oklahoma’s quarterback Jason White.  Personally, I thought he was robbed.  Even if Fitz felt the same way, he’d never tell you and that’s a testament to the type of person he is.

Not only is Fitz a great player, he is a great individual who donates a lot of time to helping others in and out of his community.  He is well-deserving of this honor.  This won’t be his only jersey retirement though.  It will only be a matter of time after his NFL retirement before the Cards retire his number and place him in the Ring of Honor at University of Phoenix Stadium.