FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Larry Fitzgerald distributes hearing aids in Uganda, digs ditches in
Ethiopia and serves humanity in locales all over the world. It’s not
surprising, then, that the Cardinals wide receiver was named the NFL
Humanitarian of the Year by Pro Football Weekly, which has been handing
out the award for 14 years.
“It’s well deserved,” coach Ken
Whisenhunt said Monday. “I don’t think there are many guys in the game
that mean as much football-wise that also mean as much to the community
or to other people like Larry does. He’s a tireless worker, and I think
it’s great he’s been recognized for that.
“You always wonder
about guys and what they will do with that platform and if they will
help others with a quality of life. It’s a very unselfish mentality for
Larry and a credit to his mother and father and how they raised him.”
Fitzgerald
works with the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, established in honor of
his mother, who died of breast cancer. He also has traveled the world
distributing hearing aids to the poor through the Starkey Hearing
Foundation. He and Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin are part of an
effort to help Africans with self-improvement projects, including
building facilities to preserve water to ease severe drought conditions.
The
other finalists were Ravens center Matt Birk, Panthers linebacker
Thomas Davis, Buccaneers offensive lineman Davin Joseph and Texans
quarterback Matt Schaub.
