Back in November of 2015, a photo of Larry Fitzgerald greeting Colonel James F. Ballardwent viral.
Col. Ballard served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War, and was given a field pass by the Arizona Cardinals just two months after his wife passed away.
Before the Cardinals took on the Cincinnati Bengals that day, Fitzgerald walked over to Col. Ballard, removed his glove and shook his hand. He was given a signed game ball, and family said he was smiling the entire night after Fitzgerald took the time to say hi.
ICYMI: Awesome shot from Sun night; @LarryFitzgerald w USAF Col. James Ballard who served in WWII, Korea & Vietnam pic.twitter.com/uvoNIz93fy
— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) November 25, 2015
Unfortunately, Fitzgerald and the Ballard family confirms that Col. Ballard passed away Tuesday.
Please join me in a #salute to Colonel Ballard and his family as they mourn his passing today. A true American Hero! pic.twitter.com/06z88z67xl
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) April 20, 2016
Col. Ballard’s grandson commented on Fitzgerald’s post, and told him what the gesture meant every day to his grandfather since that game.
“Words cannot express my gratitude towards you Mr. Fitzgerald! My grandfather talked about this moment almost every day for the past 5 months,” Chris Ballard said. “Such a simple gesture as a hand shake meant the world to him. God bless you!”
