Larry Fitzgerald gives huge thank you to Arizona in full-page ad

Larry Fitzgerald, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, penned a heartfelt full-page thank you ad in the Arizona Republic on Sunday. This was a weekend dedicated to celebrating Fitzgerald's induction into the Hall of Fame. In his acceptance speech, he had expressed gratitude to everyone who had shaped his life and career. Now, he was extending that gratitude directly to the fans of Arizona.

Fitzgerald arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old who knew no one. He had no idea the desert state would become the place that shaped him. Upon his arrival, he learned the true meaning of loyalty, which wasn't just a word, but a way of life. For the next 17 seasons, Fitzgerald quietly measured himself against the standard Pat Tillman set. Pat Tillman, a hero to many Americans, had lost his life, and Fitzgerald found solace in the quiet moments following his induction speech.

Arizona became more than just a place where Fitzgerald lived. It became the place he was from. This realization happened through countless ordinary moments that turned into something extraordinary. His love for Arizona wasn't based on stadiums or championships, but on the people and the quiet moments spent in nature.

Upon retiring from football, Fitzgerald walked away quietly, but Arizona never stopped showing up for him. His foundation received his support, which was never conditional. He was never asked to be anything other than himself, and that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minnesota something he didn't even know he was searching for - belonging. This sense of belonging changed Fitzgerald's life.

After 17 seasons in a Cardinals uniform, Fitzgerald was no longer just a wide receiver. He was one of his own. This wasn't just a story about his 17 seasons with the Cardinals or a bronze bust in Canton. It was the story of a young man welcomed by a state that owed him nothing but gave him everything. In Fitzgerald's words, "Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man."

This tribute is considered one of the most touching from any Arizona athlete to the state. Fitzgerald's actions both on and off the field have made him a universally loved figure in Arizona.