The Arizona Cardinals are pulling out all the stops for a true legend. The team announced Monday that Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be inducted into their Ring of Honor on October 25th, right when they face off against the Denver Broncos. This isn’t just any ceremony, either. Fitzgerald’s iconic jersey number, 11, will be officially retired during the halftime festivities, cementing his place in franchise lore forever.
A Legend Takes His Rightful Place: Number 11 Retired Forever
This move is huge for the Cardinals and for Fitzgerald’s legacy. He’s only the sixth player in franchise history to have his number retired, joining an elite group that includes S Larry Wilson (8), S Pat Tillman (40), T Stan Maudlin (77), TE J.V. Cain (88), and HB/DB Marshall Goldberg (99). Think about that for a second: only six players in the entire history of the Cardinals franchise have earned this honor. Fitzgerald is also the 20th member to be welcomed into the Cardinals Ring of Honor. Team owner Michael Bidwill didn’t mince words, saying, “No one who has ever worn a Cardinals uniform is more deserving of this honor. His excellence on the field was only surpassed by the way he represented our team and our community off of it.” It just shows you how much he meant to that organization, on and off the field.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Fitz’s Dominant Career
Larry Fitzgerald’s career was something else. Selected as the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, he played all 17 of his NFL seasons (from 2004-20) with the Cardinals. And man, did he leave his mark. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (263), total receptions (1,432), receiving yards (17,492), and touchdowns (121). Seriously, those numbers are ridiculous! His 263 games played are an NFL record for a wide receiver sticking with a single team. When you look at the entire NFL history book, only Jerry Rice has more career receptions and receiving yards than Fitzgerald, and he’s sixth all-time in receiving touchdowns. Plus, Fitz was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year co-recipient. He’s one of only two wide receivers in league history, alongside Rice, to make at least 11 Pro Bowls. What a career, right? He was one of the greats, making the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 in his very first year of eligibility, only the eighth wide receiver ever to do so.
So mark your calendars for October 25th. The Denver Broncos game won’t just be about the matchup, it’ll be about celebrating an absolute legend. Cardinals fans are going to be absolutely buzzing to see their all-time great get the recognition he truly deserves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Revenge of the Birds.
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