Cardinals sign Larry Fitzgerald to record deal

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 8/2/2004

Special to Spokesman-Recorder

Phoenix, Arizona — The Arizona Cardinals and number-one draft pick wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. reached an agreement late Sunday, August 1, on what is believed to be the richest contract in NFL history for a rookie.

Fitzgerald, the Walter Camp College Football Player of the year, received a $20 million guaranteed signing bonus on a six-year contract that could pay him between $60 and $65 million.

The deal also makes Fitzgerald the highest paid receiver in the NFL. Fitzgerald was drafted number three overall by the Cardinals in the 2004 NFL Draft. He becomes the first Cardinals number-one pick in six years to have been signed before the beginning of training camp.

Rod Graves, vice president of football operations for the Cardinals, called it “the beginning of a new day in Cardinals football.” Eugene Parker, Fitzgerald’s agent, commended the Cardinals for stepping up and establishing a new day in Cardinals football.

Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green called Fitzgerald the best player in college football. While at the University of Pittsburgh, Fitzgerald set four NCAA records, including catching a touchdown in 18 straight games and scoring 34 touchdowns in two years at the University of Pittsburgh.