Actions

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald will reportedly retire after this season

Posted
and last updated

Just hours before the Arizona Cardinals were set to open their 2016 regular season, news broke that the season might be Larry Fitzgerald's last as an NFL player.

The 33-year-old wide receiver will reportedly retire at the end of the season, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. 

However, moments after Rapoport's tweet, Larry Fitzgerald's father said that's news to him.

Cardinals play-by-play man Dave Pasch went on to suggest Fitz's decision may hinge on whether he earns that elusive Super Bowl championship this season.

Fitzgerald, whom the Cardinals selected with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, has become the face of the franchise as he's broken a number of team records for wide receivers. His 13,366 receiving yards are the 15th most in NFL history, and his 1,018 receptions and 98 touchdowns are both 11th all-time.

Fitzgerald has 10 postseason receiving touchdowns in his career; only Jerry Rice and John Stallworth have more.

When training camp began in early August, Fitzgerald said he hadn't given much thought to his future after the season. He has repeatedly said that the only thing missing from his NFL career is a Super Bowl ring.

UPDATE: After the Cardinals' loss to the Patriots on Sunday night, Fitzgerald responded to the retirement report.