Retirement is just a mindset for Larry Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald, who is going to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, insisted that he hasn’t retired — because he doesn’t believe in the concept of retirement.
The legendary wide receiver said that a conversation between his grandfather and former Chicago politician John Stroger sparked his thoughts on retirement.
“I remember them talking about retirement killing more people in our country than anything,” Fitzgerald said Thursday, according to ESPN. “And so that always stuck with me. And so, I just don’t believe in retirement.
“I just think you transition into different phases, especially as an athlete.”
Fitzgerald, who spent his entire 17-year NFL career with the Cardinals, played his final game at 37 years old in 2020.
“Retired? What do you mean retired?” Fitzgerald said about the word. “There’s no retirement in sight. And, so, I don’t know. I protest the word more than the actual thing.
“So, I just want to acknowledge that.”
The questions surrounding Fitzgerald’s retirement followed him during his final few seasons, with the 11-time Pro Bowler insisting that he did not want a farewell tour to close out his NFL career.
During his NFL tenure, Fitzgerald racked up 17,492 receiving yards and 121 touchdowns on 1,432 receptions. He was also named to the league’s 2010s All-Decade team in 2020.
Despite remaining in Arizona for his entire career, Fitzgerald revealed that he had considered leaving the Cardinals at one point.
“I would be lying to you if it didn’t cross my mind, I didn’t think about it, maybe even had conversations about it, but never seriously tried to put it in motion,” Fitzgerald said. “I loved where I was at.
“And quite frankly, I don’t know if it would’ve meant the same for me if I went to somewhere where it was already some super team.”
Fitzgerald is set to enter the Hall of Fame alongside Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig as part of the Class of 2026.
