Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald and Friends Play On a Different Field

On Saturday April 26^th 2014 Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals held his 4^th annual Celebrity Softball Game in Scottsdale Arizona. Athletes from all major sports came together and helped Larry raise money for his First Down Fund. The Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund was established by Larry Fitzgerald Jr. to help kids and their families by funding positive activities for kids during the summer and throughout the year, supporting kids and families in crisis, and supporting health-related organizations that work with families.

As always the teams were split in two, a Red team and White team. This year’s players included fellow teammates Darnell Dockett, Patrick Peterson, Calais Campbell, Michael Floyd and Tyrann Mathieu. Other NFL players Jairus Byrd, DeAngelo Hall, Anquan Boldin, Richard Sherman and Terrell Owens also joined into the festivities.

Baseball wasn’t the only thing keeping the fans entertained. Throughout the game they had live auctions of autographed memorabilia such as signed footballs, hats, jersey’s and helmets from all those who came to help put on a show. If you weren’t lucky enough to get the winning bid, Larry made sure to give the fans something a little extra. He would jump into the stands only to be mobbed with screaming fans… standing in pure shock as they realized they were standing face to face with their favorite athlete!

If you were to look around the stadium you can see that Fitzgerald not only helped raise money for a great cause, he also filled the entire stadium with a smile almost as big as his own. You can’t help but feel good knowing that an athlete of his caliber is so involved in the community and always willing to help those in need.

Larry Fitzgerald was also chosen to receive the NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award during the 27th Annual Lombardi Gala on November 2 in Washington. The NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award was established to honor a leader in the sports industry whose life and family have been touched by cancer, and who encourages cancer research, prevention and treatment through awareness and philanthropy. The connection between the NFL Players Association and Georgetown Lombardi has grown in the past few years, in part out of a shared connection to the legacy of legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi, who was treated for cancer at Georgetown University Hospital before succumbing to the disease in 1970. Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is named in his memory.

Trish Scott Contributed to this post.

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