Veteran sportswriter Larry Fitzgerald Sr. dies aged 71
The Minnesota Vikings organisation and family pay tribute to a distinguished journalist who covered local sports for nearly 50 years.
Larry Fitzgerald Sr., a respected sports journalist who chronicled Minnesota sports for nearly five decades, has died at the age of 71. The Minnesota native passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, surrounded by family at Fairview Southdale Hospital.
His son, NFL Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald Jr., shared a tribute on X, formerly Twitter, describing his father as a man of strength, love, and encouragement. Fitzgerald Jr. noted that his father had opened countless doors for him and his younger brother, Marcus Fitzgerald, serving as the rock of the family.
Fitzgerald Sr. began his journalism career in 1978 in radio before joining the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He served as a columnist for the publication for over 45 years, becoming a fixture in the local media landscape. The family requested privacy as they mourn, expressing gratitude for the support received, particularly from the hospital staff.
The Minnesota Vikings organisation issued a statement praising his legacy as a distinguished journalist and community leader. The statement acknowledged his role as a trusted voice in Minnesota sports, noting that he built relationships with players, coaches, and staff across local teams.
Fitzgerald Sr. covered dozens of Super Bowls and other major NFL events throughout his career. In 2009, he covered Super Bowl XLIII for the Arizona Cardinals, potentially becoming the first journalist to cover his son in a Super Bowl. Fitzgerald Jr. retired in 2020 after a 17-year career with the Cardinals and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February.
