Larry Fitzgerald was all smiles during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech. He also had a message for fellow Hall of Famer Cris Carter.
Larry Fitzgerald Takes Hilarious Dig at Cris Carter
Fitzgerald was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, alongside Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig. His son, Devin Fitzgerald, introduced him before the former Cardinals receiver spent several minutes looking back on his football journey.
Fitzgerald gave a special shoutout to Carter, whom he idolized while growing up in Minneapolis.
“So let me thank Cris Carter, aka Uncle Cris, who I idolized as a kid growing up in Minneapolis,” Fitzgerald said. “Uncle Cris, you took me into your family, into your home, and you gave me an education that shaped every part of who I am today.”
However, Fitzgerald was not done with the former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver. He added, “And Uncle Cris, since we got all them pleasantries out the way, I hope we both can agree my hands have always been better than yours.”
“Uncle Cris, since we got all them pleasantries out the way, I hope we both can agree my hands have always been better than yours.” 😂@ProFootballHOF Enshrinement on ESPN/NFLN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/SqqIBoIeTO— NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2026
Fitzgerald spent all 17 seasons of his NFL career with the Cardinals. Arizona selected him No. 3 overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He boasts 1,432 receptions for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns to his name.
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The legendary receiver ranks second in NFL history in both receptions and receiving yards behind Jerry Rice. He made 11 Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2008.
Fitzgerald had plenty of people to thank during his Hall of Fame speech, including Kurt Warner, Emmitt Smith, and Randy Moss. He also took time to recognize the Cardinals fans who supported him throughout his career.
“To the Cardinal fans back home in Arizona, you guys supported us on and off the field over the years. You showed up at home games and showed up at away games, through wins and losses,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s been 22 years and counting, Arizona, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to replenish the well of goodwill I’ve been lucky enough to drink from.”
During his speech, the 42-year-old talked about his childhood in Minneapolis, where his football journey began. He recalled scoring his first touchdown, hitting his first home run, throwing down his first dunk, and even getting into his first fight at Martin Luther King Park.
From humble beginnings to now having a gold jacket and a bust in Canton, Fitzgerald became one of the most productive and respected players in NFL history.
