The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its list of 15 modern-era finalists for the 2026 induction ceremony, taking place in August, and it is a pleasure to say that one Arizona Cardinals legend has made the cut.
Larry Fitzgerald was one of the fifteen finalists announced on Tuesday, getting the now 42-year-old one step closer to glory.
In terms of production, Fitzgerald hauled in 1,432 catches for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns, as consistent as it gets for a wide receiver.
Fitzgerald spent all 17 seasons with the Cardinals, where he earned votes to 11 Pro Bowl teams, one All-Pro selection, and was voted onto the Hall of Fame all-2010s team. Along with those accolades, Fitzgerald also won the 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his service in the community, which tells you all you need to know about what kind of person he is.
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Fitzgerald’s signature moment came in the 2015 Divisional Round against the Green Bay Packers, where he set up a first and goal after a 75-yard catch-and-run. Two plays later, Fitzgerald caught a five-yard shovel pass to win it in overtime, helping the Cardinals advance to the NFC Championship game.
Fitzgerald was nominated along with OL Willie Anderson, QB Drew Brees, OL Jahri Evans, RB Frank Gore, WR Torry Holt, LB Luke Kuechly, QB Eli Manning, DE Terrell Suggs, K Adam Vinatieri, WR Reggie Wayne, TE Jason Witten, S Darren Woodson, and OL Marshall Yanda.
From here, four to eight of the 15 will be selected, and for that to happen, each must have at least 80% approval from the Hall of Fame selection committee.
It is great to see an Arizona Cardinals icon have the chance to be nominated for a prestigious honor. We do not doubt in our minds that he will be selected into the final eight, but that’s for the committee to decide.
The next phase of selections will be announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 6 in San Francisco, the host city of Super Bowl LX.