Larry Fitzgerald is poised to become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While Fitzgerald never formally announced his retirement, not playing since the 2020 season makes him a candidate for enshrinement. He emphasized that “I didn’t feel like I should say I was retiring because that’s not what I was doing.”
Nomination for the Hall of Fame begins this June. A list of nominees will be narrowed to 50 in September, then to 25 in the fall, and finally reduced to 15 by December. Fitzgerald, an 11-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, is expected to feature prominently in these lists for his first year on the ballot.
Fitzgerald expressed his feelings about the process to azcardinals.com, remarking, “I try not to get into the speculation.” He shared these thoughts during his annual Fitz’s Supper Club fundraiser, asserting he has no plan to return to the field.
Fitzgerald, who ranks second for both receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492) in NFL history, could see induction soon, potentially in early February before Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
Others eligible for the first time this year include Drew Brees. Finalists from last year not yet inducted are Fred Taylor, Terrell Suggs, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, and wide receivers Steve Smith Sr., Torry Holt, and Reggie Wayne.
Reflecting on the backlog of wide receivers, Fitzgerald noted, “It’s really subjective. I played in a small market. I only played in the playoffs four times in 17 years.”
The Hall of Fame voting process has been updated, now trimming the 15 modern-era finalists to 10, and eventually to seven. Of the final seven, up to five can be voted in, maintaining an 80 percent vote requirement. Last year’s class included Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe.
While the stricter guidelines make induction more challenging, Fitzgerald’s legacy in football suggests a favorable outcome. Meanwhile, he continues his charitable efforts and business pursuits. Addressing the Hall of Fame uncertainty, Fitzgerald remarked,”I have zero control over it.”
