Larry Fitzgerald Jr.’s time at Pitt was short. The wide receiver and Heisman Trophy runner-up flashed his professional bona fides in two years with the Panthers and was off to what would become a 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals.
But Fitzgerald’s fondness for Pittsburgh lingered long past his final year in 2003. Pitt honored Fitzgerald on Sunday with a Doctorate of Letters during the spring commencement ceremony, where he was the speaker. Fitzgerald said he returns often to visit the school and as a member of the board at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“As soon as I drive through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, it brings back great memories as I look over the landscape,” Fitzgerald said. “I think about the nights at the Renaissance Hotel, obviously, Heinz Field, and I look in the distance and I can see the Cathedral of Learning, and I look down the river and see the Hot Metal Bridge. All these memories flood back to your mind about the experiences you had and relationships you developed.”
While Fitzgerald never formally announced his retirement from professional football, his last season came in 2020. Fitzgerald wouldn’t have wanted a flashy sendoff.
“Football was a great time in my life, and I look back on it fondly,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s just a few chapters of your life in the grand scheme of things. I wanted to go out quietly. The game was much bigger than any individual person. That’s the kind of approach I’ve always taken.”
He is eligible to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class.
Fitzgerald finished his NFL career with 17,492 receiving yards, second only to San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice.
“I try not to think too much about it,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a very subjective process. I feel like I’ve done all I could to put myself in position. It’s up to other people to make that call. But if they do, I’ll answer and be very happy.”
Fitzgerald’s performance on the field in big moments usually did the talking for him.
During Super Bowl XLIII against the Steelers, Fitzgerald hauled in seven passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns during a 27-23 loss.
His second touchdown that day, a 64-yard catch-and-run through the heart of the Pittsburgh defense, gave the Cardinals a 23-20 lead with 2 minutes, 37 seconds remaining.
During Fitzgerald’s two seasons at Pitt, he blazed a trail like no Pitt receiver who came before him. He finished with 2,677 yards and 34 touchdowns. During Fitzgerald’s sophomore season, he led the NCAA with 22 receiving touchdowns and 1,672 receiving yards.
Fitzgerald said he felt fortunate with the support system he had at Pitt.
“I had great examples, guys like Kris Wilson, Lousaka Polite, Penny Semaia and Yogi Roth. There were so many guys who were great veterans and leaders for me,” Fitzgerald said. “I learned a lot from those players and a lot from the administration. … The way I was cared for, the way I was loved, and the way I was supported here is really unique.”
He hopes to have clarity on how to support future Panthers. Fitzgerald said he is eager to know the resolution of the House vs. NCAA settlement so he can help the Panthers’ football program compete in the ever-changing landscape of college sports. The rules have changed significantly since the NIL era started, and Fitzgerald believes Pitt will find a way to stay competitive.
“I’m looking forward to July, when House puts some guardrails on it, and you know what you can and can’t do and there’s a level playing ground,” Fitzgerald said. “The University of Pittsburgh has been competitive since Day 1. I mean, you look at the representation in the National Football League, and it’s stood the test of time.”
Fitzgerald said he was surprised when told what Pitt planned to do at commencement. But he enjoyed being there with his oldest son, Devin.
“I wouldn’t imagine this in my wildest dreams,” Fitzgerald said. “I was completely caught off guard. When I got a chance to meet with Chancellor (Joan) Gabel, I was in their office at the Cathedral of Learning and she asked me for a little time. I had no idea what the conversation would be, and my jaw dropped.”