Four players advanced
382.
That is how many members are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio. Being enshrined is the pinnacle of every player who puts on a jersey and laces up their cleats.
Former Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald just got one step closer to adding his name to that number.
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On Tuesday, Fitz was voted as one of the 15 finalists for the class of 2026. He is one of four players who are eligible for the first time this year: Drew Brees, Frank Gore, Jason Witten, and Fitzgerald.
The 15 finalists include four players who advanced to the final 7 stage last year and have received an automatic spot. These four are Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri. Rounding out the finalists this year are Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Eli Manning, Darren Woodson, and Kevin Williams.
This 2026 class can include five modern-era players. Five other candidates have already been placed on the ballot: Roger Craig, L.C. Greenwood, Ken Anderson, plus coach finalist Bill Belichick and contributor finalist owner Robert Kraft.
From here, the 15 finalists will be pared down to seven, and then up to five candidates will be voted in. The 2026 class will be announced the week leading up to this year’s Super Bowl on February 5, 2026, during the NFL Honors Show. To be considered for the final spots, players must receive a minimum of 80% of the final votes.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Fitzgerald with the third pick in the 2004 NFL draft after a sterling career at the University of Pittsburgh. The San Diego Chargers selected QB Eli Manning first overall, followed by OT Robert Gallery, taken with the second overall pick by the Oakland Raiders.
While in college, Fitz was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-American, First Team All-Big East, NCAA receiving yards leader, NCAA receiving touchdowns leader, and won four awards, including the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best receiver.
For his 17-year NFL career, which was remarkably achieved while playing for a single club, Fitzgerald had 261 starts and played in 263 games, 2,335 targets, 1,432 receptions, 17,492 yards, a 12.2 average yards per reception, 121 touchdowns, plus 20 rushes for 68 yards with an additional five scores.
Fitzgerald was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times, named First Team and Second Team All-Pro three years, was the NFL receptions leader twice, the NFL receiving touchdowns leader twice, named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2016, won the Art Rooney Award (2004), voted to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, plus the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice has more receptions (1,549) and yards (22,895) than Fitzgerald.
Category: General Sports
