What happened to Larry Fitzgerald's dad? What to know about tragic death of Cardinals WR's father
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What happened to Larry Fitzgerald's dad? What to know about tragic death of Cardinals WR's father originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When Larry Fitzgerald is officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one important person will not be in attendance.
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Fitzgerald's dad, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., died just months before the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A well-respected former member of the sports media community, Fitzgerald Sr. made a career within the NFL as a writer before his son became a star wide receiver.
Fitzgerald Jr.'s Hall of Fame speech will surely mention his dad several times and be one of the more emotional of the entire ceremony. Here's what happened to Fitzgerald Sr. just a few months ago.
MORE: Meet the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026
What happened to Larry Fitzgerald's dad?
Larry Fitzgerald's dad, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., died in June at the age of 71. The elder Fitzgerald was well-known in the sports media industry as a longtime Minnesota reporter before he became famous for simply being the father of the now-Hall of Fame wide receiver.
"My father was a man of strength, love and encouragement," Fitzgerald Jr. said on social media. "He opened countless doors for me and my brother. He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction, he was the rock of our family. He taught us that perseverance, hard work, and unwavering commitment are the foundations of a meaningful life and personal success. I will carry his love, words, and wisdom with me always."
My father was a man of strength, love and encouragement. He opened countless doors for me and my brother. He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction, he was the rock of our family. He taught us that perseverance, hard work, and unwavering… pic.twitter.com/kgszHR8m3b
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) June 2, 2026
Larry Fitzgerald Sr. cause of death
According to the New York Post, Fitzgerald Sr. died from multiple causes including sepsis, a urinary tract infection, prostate cancer and end stage renal disease. Per Marcus Fitzgerald, the 71-year-old passed away peacefully on June 1 surrounded by his family.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr. A devoted father, husband, grandfather, and a true pioneer in the Minnesota broadcasting community, he spent his life pouring into the people and the city he loved so much.
— Marcus R. Fitzgerald (@ProfessorMFitz) June 1, 2026
He left us… pic.twitter.com/NozYgLgwYK
H2: Larry Fitzgerald Sr. tributes
As a former sportswriter who covered Minnesota sports for much of his life, Fitzgerald Sr.' death led to many tributes, from Minnesota sports staples to general sports fans and writers.
My father was a man of strength, love and encouragement. He opened countless doors for me and my brother. He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction, he was the rock of our family. He taught us that perseverance, hard work, and unwavering… pic.twitter.com/kgszHR8m3b
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) June 2, 2026
Larry Fitzgerald Sr., the father of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and a longtime Minnesota journalist, has died, his family said on Monday.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 2, 2026
Fitzgerald Sr. was 71. https://t.co/khLiSz9p2zpic.twitter.com/zW22zT99ha
Statement from the Minnesota Vikings on the passing of Larry Fitzgerald Sr. pic.twitter.com/jWyONFWyGk
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 1, 2026
I will miss Big Fitz. He was full of wisdom and it was an honor to work alongside him in various stadiums. My thoughts are with the family. Rest in Peace. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/Ypy3takTma
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) June 2, 2026
The Twins organization is recognizing the legacy of legendary Twin Cities media personality Larry Fitzgerald Sr. tonight.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 2, 2026
Our thoughts are with the entire Fitzgerald family. pic.twitter.com/v8otQQZ7YX
Larry Fitzgerald Sr. was an institution in Twin Cities press boxes. I don’t go to those events nearly as much as I used to, but when I did he was everywhere. RIP. https://t.co/m0xW77BnH9
— Mike McFeely (@McFeely_Inforum) June 1, 2026
Very sad day. A great man that I was fortunate enough to spend some time with. My condolences to Larry Jr , Marcus and all of their family and friends . https://t.co/5OEgPkfU8G
— Todd Haley (@thetoddhaley) June 1, 2026
Quick story: back in the day Vikings used to organize a conference call for writers on game week w/an opposing player. Vikings played Cards and young Larry was our subject.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 2, 2026
Big Larry just starts asking questions of him.
Young Larry: “Dad you can just call me on the phone!” https://t.co/UlBtwx8421
Larry Fitzgerald Sr. broadcast career
Fitzgerald Sr. spent most of his life as a Minnesota sports media member, starting his career at the radio station KMOJ before beginning a long tenure at the "Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder" before retiring in 2021. At the "Spokesman-Recorder," Fitzgerald Sr. spent a lot of time covering the Vikings and the NFL on a national scale.
A shot from my archives...at the 2005 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Nordenberg and Larry Fitzgerald Sr. pic.twitter.com/rnBoWuKZ73
— Harry Bloomberg (@pittbandphoto) June 20, 2020
Fitzgerald Sr. covered the NFL for his son's entire NFL career, which included when the Cardinals made the Super Bowl during the 2008 season. When Fitzgerald Jr. made the Hall of Fame, Fitzgerald Sr. gave an emotional interview about what it meant.
PROUD DAD ALERT! #DreamsDoComeTrue
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) February 6, 2026
EMOTIONAL interview with Larry Fitzgerald Sr@FitzBeatSr. Larry didn't tell his dad the news leading up the announment, so he watched at #NFLHonors just like the rest of us. @12SportsAZ@ProfessorMFitzpic.twitter.com/bXwkX3qC8x