The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Fitzgerald to lead Parade of Champions
The 3rd overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. An 11-time Pro Bowl Selection. The 2016Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald has a plethora of on and off the field accolades to his name. This June, he will add another honor, this one with a Central New York twist.
Tuesday, Fitzgerald was named Grand Marshal of the 2018 Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 10th at 1 p.m.
“The Hall of Fame is so thrilled that Larry Fitzgerald, one of the NFL’s most popular players since he entered the league in 2004, will be in Canastota in June to serve as the 2018 grandmarshal,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “His career achievements as the Cardinals star wide receiver are simply incredible and his off the field community service is just as impressive. It will be a remarkable day in ‘Boxing’s Hometown’ when #11 leads the Parade of Champions.”
BornAugust 31, 1983 in Minneapolis, MN, the 6’3” wide receiver earned unanimous All-American honors at Pittsburgh in 2003. Selected 3rd in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, he has played his entire professional career for the team. Fitzgerald has compiled one of the most impressive careers in the sport, including being selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times, First-team All-Pro (2008) and Second-team All-Pro (2009, 2011). As of the 2017 season, he is third all-time in receptions (1,234) and receiving yards (15,545). Off the field, Fitzgerald is passionate about community service, establishing foundations to assist families and children in need, as well supporting cancer and HIV / AIDS awareness and education. He has been lauded for his charitable work, including
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (2016) and Pro Football Weekly Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award (2012). In November 2017, Fitzgerald signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the Cardinals through the 2018 season.
“Having been a lifelong big boxing fan, it’s a great honor to be asked to be the Grand Marshal for the International Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions. I’m looking forward to coming to Canastota to be with all of the fans and boxing greats to be able to witness the Class of 2018 take its place with the immortals of the sport. As a player in the NFL, I know what a thrill it is to see and be in the company of those who have risen to the top. It will be a great celebration of those being inducted, and particularly for me, to be able to be there and share in festivities for my mentor and dear friend, Jim Gray. I can’t wait until June and am grateful to be involved in this special event,” said Fitzgerald.
The Parade of Champions, set for Sunday, June 10th at 1 p.m., will pass through the streets of Canastota and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees. Inductees include boxers Vitali Klitschko, ErikMorales, Winky Wright and Sid Terris; ring announcer Johnny Addie, promoter Lorraine Chargin, promoter KlausPeter Kohl and broadcasters Steve Albert and Jim Gray.
Over 35 boxing stars from the United States and abroad, including “Iron” Mike Tyson, Miguel Cotto, Marco Antonio Barrera, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, “Irish” MickyWard, James “Lights Out” Toney, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, Leon and Michael Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Christy Martin and many more will be highlighted in the Parade of Champions.
“With the lineup of marching bands, boxing celebrities, community organizations and now Larry Fitzgerald, this should be our biggest parade ever and an unforgettable day for all,” said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.
Many events in “Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota throughout the four- day celebration are planned, including a 5K Race / Fun Run, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, VIP Cocktail Reception and the Official Induction Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds. The Hall of Fame Weekend evening events include Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions. Both events will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino.