Fitzgerald not ready to hang ’em up yet
Cardinals’ premier receiver motivated by quest for football championship ring
GLENDALE, ARIZ. Training camp is a drag at this point in Larry Fitzgerald’s long and accomplished NFL career. Of course, the quest for the ring is the main reason the veteran continues to play heading into his 14th season.
The longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver isn’t sure what his future holds as far as retirement.
“That’s the only reason I’m playing at this point,” Fitzgerald said Sunday, the second day of Cardinals training camp. “From a personal standpoint, things I’ve accomplished, they’re fine. But the thing that you will say is out of your control because you’re in a team sport is a championship.”
Fitzgerald said he feels good, and when retirement comes there won’t be a podium or tears because “that’s not who I am.”
Yet it is important to him to still be productive as a player when he decides to step away. Fitzgerald admitted it would be a struggle to accept a diminished role due to not being able to give 100 per cent.
“The end is never really pretty for elite athletes. It never looks good. You watch Michael Jordan in a Washington Wizards uniform or see Tony Dorsett playing for the Denver Broncos. It’s weird because you’re used to seeing them at their most dominant stage,” Fitzgerald said. “For me, I really want to do things at a high level and be able to walk away and still be someone who can play at a high level.”
Fitzgerald has asked others who are closer to retirement or have retired about their thought process going into it. He’s been doing that for the last few years, checking in with the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Tony Gonzalez.
For now he still enjoys asking questions in an effort to improve as a player and setting an example for young players.