Larry Fitzgerald sets record, posts 113-yard game

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver and Pitt great Larry Fitzgerald set a franchise record on Sunday, as he appeared in his 235th game with the Cardinals. That makes him the leader in games played for the franchise. The record was previously held by Hall of Fame kicker Jim Bakken, who appeared in 234 games for the St. Louis Cardinals between 1962 and 1978.

Fitzgerald made the record-setting day a memorable one, as he caught eight passes for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. His contributions were vital to a late Cardinals comeback that tied the game and forced overtime. However, the team failed to pull ahead in the extra period of play and was forced to settle for a 27-27 tie instead.

Sunday also marked the first time since Oct. 28, 2018, that Fitzgerald posted 100 or more yards in a game, and that was due in large part to an offseason change in quarterback from Josh Rosen, who is now with the Miami Dolphins, to Kyler Murray, who threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns in the tie.

Fitzgerald’s touchdown, which came in the fourth quarter and gave the Cardinals the opportunity to tie the game, was the 117th of his career. With it, he passed former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, who has 116 career touchdowns, on the leaderboard for all-time touchdown receptions. Fitzgerald now ranks sixth in career touchdown receptions, behind former Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, who has 128.

Directly in front of Harrison, is former Minnesota Vikings receiver Cris Carter, who was Fitzgerald’s idol during his youth in Minneapolis. However, Carter has 130 career touchdown receptions, and Fitzgerald would need to reel in a career-high 15 touchdowns this season to pass him on the leaderboard.