Legendary receiver Larry Fitzgerald entered the NFL in 2004 and has been teammates with scores of players ever since. He has surely been influenced by many of them.
However, when asked who his most influential teammates have been, he named two.
He participated in an AMA (ask me anything) for Bleacher Report leading up to his gig as an analyst for “The Match” this coming week.
His two most influential teammates came from his rookie season and this past season.
His answer:
Tough to pick one. Emmitt Smith, being around him as a rookie. Last year, Kelvin Beachum. Two people at the different end of the spectrum but both special individuals.
Smith, now in the Hall of Fame, helped Fitzgerald to be a pro. Beachum, who played with Fitzgerald only one season thus far, has made an impact on the legendary receiver in other ways. Beachum has been active and outspoken for the past year about racial justice.
Fitzgerald’s Instagram post to wish Beachum a happy birthday indicates the respect he has for the Cardinals’ starting right tackle.
While he hasn’t officially retired, it looks less and less like he will play another down in the NFL.
If that is the case, it is kind of cool that his two most influential teammates came at the start and at the end of his career.
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