Larry Fitzgerald will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today, and he’ll turn 43 years old this month. It seems safe to say he’s done playing professional football.
But don’t call Fitzgerald “retired.”
Fitzgerald told the Cardinals’ website that he never plans to use that word to describe where he is in life.
“I have not committed to retirement,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald recalls hearing his grandfather talk with friends about how when people retire, they give up. And giving up is not something Fitzgerald ever wants to do.
“They’d talk about retirement killing more people in our country than anything,” Fitzgerald said. “It always stuck with me. I just don’t believe in retirement. I just think you transition into different phases, especially as an athlete. I was done at 38. Retire? There is no retirement in sight. I protest the word more than the actual thing. So I just won’t acknowledge that.”
When Fitzgerald confirmed after his 17th season with the Cardinals that he wouldn’t be back for an 18th, he studiously avoided the word “retirement.” It’s still not a word he’ll use. Fitzgerald knows he has a lot more to do with his life.