Larry Fitzgerald

Position:
WR
Years at Pitt:
2002-03
Hometown:
Minneapolis, Minn.
High School:
Richfield Academy

One of the most decorated receivers in the history of football, Larry Fitzgerald's path to greatness was truly launched at the University of Pittsburgh.

Despite playing only two collegiate seasons in 2002-03, Fitzgerald left Pitt as one of the most accomplished players in school history.

In 2003, he was a virtually unstoppable offensive weapon, compiling 92 catches for 1,672 yards (18.2 avg.) and 22 touchdowns. Facing double and even triple coverage each week, Fitzgerald still led the nation in receiving yards per game (128.62 avg.) and TD catches.

Fitzgerald was named the 2003 Walter Camp Player of the Year, becoming the first sophomore to earn that prestigious honor, and also won the Biletnikoff Award as the country's top receiver. He was unanimously selected a first team All-American.

In the 2003 Heisman Trophy balloting, Fitzgerald finished a strong second to Oklahoma quarterback Jason White, losing by just 128 points. Fitzgerald carried three voting regions, an unprecedented achievement for a sophomore. It was the highest Heisman finish by a wide receiver since Michigan's Desmond Howard won the award in 1991.

In just 26 collegiate games, Fitzgerald totaled 161 catches for 2,677 yards (16.6 avg.) and a Pitt-record 34 touchdowns. He caught a touchdown in an amazing 18 consecutive games to set an NCAA record. In total, Fitzgerald set or tied four NCAA marks, eight Big East records and 11 Pitt marks.

Athlon Sports named Fitzgerald the greatest college football receiver of the BCS era (since 1998).

In announcing his intention to enter the NFL Draft on Feb. 9, 2004, Fitzgerald said, "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. 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."

The third overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald quickly became one of the elite pass catchers in the professional ranks. An 11-time Pro Bowl selection, Fitzgerald holds virtually every receiving record in Cardinals franchise history.

As of the conclusion of the 2017 NFL season, Fitzgerald ranked third in league history in receiving yards (15,545) and receptions (1,234) and eighth in receiving touchdowns (110), making him a certainty for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he finishes his playing career.

Fitzgerald has been equally prolific in his philanthropic efforts and community work, both in the United States and throughout the world.

Following the 2016 season, Fitzgerald was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, joining Dan Marino as the second former Pitt football player to receive the prestigious honor. Through his two foundations -- the Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund and the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund -- he has helped thousands by providing funds for kids and families in crisis. To honor his late mother, Carol, he has been heavily involved in furthering breast cancer awareness and research.

He also served as a spokesman for the NFL's A Crucial Catch campaign, donating funds for each reception and TD reception during the month of October.

Globally, Fitzgerald has done extensive work with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, providing hearing aids for those in need throughout Africa. He has traveled to Ethiopia with good friend and former teammate Anquan Boldin on behalf of Oxfam America, helping work on irrigation systems and digging wells in local communities.

As part of his strong support of the military, Fitzgerald has helped raise money for the Semper Fi Fund, which benefits injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces. He also joined other NFL players on a USO Tour of Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

A native of Minneapolis, Minn., Fitzgerald was a two-time first-team all-state receiver at Academy of the Holy Angels. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy for one year (2001-02) before matriculating to Pitt. His father, Larry Sr., is a well-known media personality covering the Minnesota sports scene.

Fitzgerald's number 1 was officially retired by the University of Pittsburgh on Sept. 3, 2013 at halftime of the Panthers' debut contest in the Atlantic Coast Conference against Florida State at Heinz Field.