University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Legend Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
2/5/2026 10:10:00 PM | Football
From Pittsburgh to Phoenix to Canton, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Becomes the 11th Pitt Panther Selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
SAN FRANCISCO—One of the most complete players football has ever known now takes his place among the game's immortals.
Former Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. has been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors. Chosen in his first year of eligibility, Fitzgerald headlines the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and becomes the 11th player associated with Pitt elected to Canton, tied for the second most among all colleges.
"Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best players the game has ever seen, on and off the field," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "He's been an incredible ambassador for our program and university for decades, always being proud to say he went to Pitt every step of the way. Being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor, and we couldn't be happier for Larry and his family."
Across a spectacular 17-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, Fitzgerald built a résumé of excellence. He finished second in NFL history in both receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492), trailing only Jerry Rice. And in a stat that perfectly captures his reliability, Fitzgerald recorded more career tackles than dropped passes in his career.
A member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team, Fitzgerald was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. He remarkably led the NFL in receptions at age 22 and again at 33, and caught at least 50 passes in each of his 17 seasons, tying Rice's all-time mark.
Fitzgerald's greatness extended beyond box scores. He delivered one of the most dominant postseason runs in league history during the 2008 playoffs and thrived despite a revolving door at quarterback, catching passes from 22 different signal-callers while maintaining high production year after year.
From one Pitt legend to another, fellow Panther and the program's most recent Hall of Famer, cornerback Darrelle Revis, offered his praise.
"Larry Fitzgerald didn't just play the game, he honored it," Revis said. "With unmatched hands, relentless preparation, and humility, he defined excellence for an era. His legacy isn't measured only in catches and yards, but in respect earned from teammates, opponents, and the game itself. That is the mark of a Hall of Famer. From one Pitt Man to another, welcome to Canton."
Before redefining consistency in the NFL, Fitzgerald first captivated college football audiences at Pitt, earning a first-ballot selection into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
Despite playing just two seasons (2002-03), he left an indelible mark on the program and the sport. In only 26 games, Fitzgerald totaled 161 catches for 2,677 yards and a Pitt-record 34 receiving touchdowns. His catches were even once described by Sports Illustrated as "mini-dramas in themselves, air ballets played out in full pads."
During a historic 2003 season, Fitzgerald was virtually unstoppable, hauling in 92 receptions for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns while facing constant double- and triple-team coverage. He led the nation in receiving yards per game and touchdown catches, earned the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award (becoming the first sophomore to do so), won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver, and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, the highest finish by a wide receiver since 1991.
In announcing his decision to enter the NFL Draft in 2004, Fitzgerald made a promise that would define the next two decades.
"The University of Pittsburgh has been a special place to me and I will be forever indebted to the many people who helped me as both a person and a player," Fitzgerald said at the time. "It has been an honor and privilege to be a Panther. I will always work to represent this school as best I can in whatever I do in life."
That commitment has extended far beyond football. In 2016, Fitzgerald received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his excellence on the field and impact off it. Through The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, established in honor of his mother, Carol, he has worked tirelessly to expand access to education, technology and breast cancer resources in underserved communities across the United States and around the world.
In May 2025, he returned to campus to address Pitt's graduating class and received an honorary Doctorate of Letters, underscoring the same vow to service and leadership that has helped define his legacy. His dedication also earned him the 2025 Heisman Humanitarian Award from the Heisman Trophy Trust, honoring his leadership, generosity and lifelong commitment to giving back through his foundation's work.
From Pittsburgh to Phoenix to Canton, Larry Fitzgerald Jr.'s selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame cements a legacy defined by greatness on the field, impact far beyond it, and a journey that stands among the finest the game has ever known.
"Football was a great time in my life, and I look back on it fondly," Fitzgerald said last year. "It's just a few chapters of your life in the grand scheme of things. I wanted to go out quietly. The game was much bigger than any individual person. That's the kind of approach I've always taken."
