Larry Fitzgerald on Mother's Legacy and Friendship with John McCain

Former NFL star Larry Fitzgerald has channeled the grief from losing his mother to breast cancer into a dedicated mission to support families facing the disease. His foundation's annual 'Pink 'Em' campaign, a partnership with DraftKings, has raised over $700,000 since its 2019 inception for breast cancer awareness, research, and patient support.

Fitzgerald's mother, Carol, died from breast cancer in 2003. He described the cause as "near and dear to my heart," noting that other family members and individuals within his foundation have also battled the illness. He lives with the awareness of ongoing treatments and advancements in the field daily.

He believes his mother, who worked in the nonprofit sector, would be proud of his continued efforts. "My hope is that she would be proud of the work that we’re continuing to do," Fitzgerald said. "And I think she would want me to continue to stay motivated, to not take my foot off the gas and keep my focus on serving."

Fitzgerald highlighted his mother's influence, emphasizing the importance of compassion and thoughtfulness. "There’s a lot of people out there that are in need. And sometimes somebody needs just a helping hand, a hello, a thank you, 'How are you doing?' Just to be seen and thought about," he explained. He credits these values with shaping his approach to relationships throughout his life and football career.

Friendship with John McCain

Fitzgerald also spoke about his impactful friendship with the late Senator John McCain. He described McCain as a "wonderful man and influence" who helped him mature and broaden his perspective. Traveling with McCain, including trips to Vietnam and attending Senate events, opened Fitzgerald's eyes to aspects of the world he had not previously encountered.

"He embraced the differences," Fitzgerald said, reflecting on McCain's ability to foster connections despite potential political disagreements. He expressed a desire to see such thoughtfulness and civil discourse reflected in contemporary governance.

Fitzgerald recalled an instance where McCain, while campaigning, corrected a false statement made about his political opponent, Barack Obama. "He’s an opponent, an opponent that I really want to beat, but I’m not going to allow you to say things that are not true," Fitzgerald said, admiring McCain's integrity.

While Fitzgerald maintains his own political views privately, he emphasized his respect for McCain's character and contributions to the country. He noted that he remains friendly with many people, including politicians, doctors, and lawyers, valuing human connectivity above all.

Career and Relationships

Reflecting on his 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals, Fitzgerald attributed his loyalty to a desire to "finish what they started." He expressed no serious temptation to leave the team for other opportunities, preferring to focus on his work where he was.

Beyond the Super Bowl appearance, Fitzgerald cherishes the relationships he built with coaches, staff, teammates, and management. "Those are the things that I think I take the most joy from. It’s just the wonderful people I was able to work with," he stated.

He also offered insights into current NFL dynamics, discussing the challenges faced by teams dealing with injuries and backup quarterbacks, and sharing his perspective on top-performing players and coaches. Regarding the Giants' quarterback situation, he acknowledged Jameis Winston's veteran presence and the potential impact of rookie Malik Nabers.

Fitzgerald also commented on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart's introduction of President Donald Trump during the offseason. "I don’t know what his relationship was or is with President Trump," Fitzgerald said, adding that Dart made a decision he felt was best for himself. When asked if he would consider introducing a politician himself, Fitzgerald stated he would need to consider all factors if ever presented with such a request.