Reaching for the Heisman.

 The Minnesota Score ( winter 2004 )

AFTER A SPECTACULAR record setting 2003 season at the University of Pittsburgh, Minneapolis's Larry Fitzgerald Jr. came within an eyelash of winning college football's most coveted award, the Heisman Trophy, His father, Larry Sr. gives us an inside look at a whirlwind three days of awards and interviews under the national spotlight.

 Wednesday, December 10: 1 board the plane for Orlando, Fla. for the College Football Awards at Disney World Resort on the Boardwalk. I arrived close to midnight and checked‑in to my room. I gave Larry Jr. a call, we talked, and I went to bed‑it had been a long day.

 Thursday December 11: At 6:00 a.m. EST, Larry Jr. had a live interview on ESPN 2's "Cold Pizza." I took care of my radio responsibilities and then went to Larry Jr.'s room. We were staying at the Disney Coronado Resort.

  Later, we went to the health club for a workout and Larry Jr. put me through boot camp: he stretched and ran two miles, lifted weights and did sit‑ups. After, we had lunch at the Pepper Market. We were joined by former Pittsburgh great Hugh Green and University of Pittsburgh's E.J. Borghetti, the media services director.

 After lunch security escorted us back to our room, as autograph seekers were lurking all around us.

 At 4:45 p.m. we departed for ESPN's "College Football Awards Show" at Disney's Boardwalk. Larry Jr. was officially announced as the Walter Camp College Football Player of the Year and was presented with the award and interviewed on "Sports Center" by Chris Fowler.

  Next, we were taken to The ESPN Zone on the Boardwalk. Larry Jr. an I ordere food but never got to eat it‑he had to go back for the start of the awards show. The place was crawling with sports agents all trying to introduce themselves to me. Larry Jr. was awarded the outstanding receiver award (the Biletnikoff Trophy) during the program and was selected to the Walter Camp All‑American team.

 Trev Alberts interviewed me on ESPN during the program. Larry Jr. was runner‑up to Eli Manning for the Maxwell Award. It was a great night for our family.

  Friday, December 12: 6:00 a.m., another early start. The Heisman finalists (my son Larry Jr., Jason White, and Chris Perry) had to meet in the lobby for an 8:15 a.m. flight to New York City. The only finalist who did not fly with us to New York City was Manning, he was the Johnny Unitas Award winner and had to attend their awards banquet in Louisville, Kentucky.

  The great Tony Dorsett (1976 Heisman Trophy winner from Pittsburgh) was also along. I did two quick radio interviews on WCCO 830 AM with Dave Lee and KMOJ 89.9 FM with Sam SoulPrano; Larry Jr. was also interviewed on KMOJ.

  When we arrived in New York there were autograph seekers, fans and TV cameras everywhere. We collected our luggage and were driven by stretch limousine to the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan for a private lunch, While there, we met the Heisman committee members.

  At 5:00 p.m., the four finalists went to the Yale Club across the street for interviews with Sporting News Radio. That evening we attended the Wendy's 10th Annual High School Heisman Awards Dinner. Afterward, we took a VIP bus tour of New York City.

  Later, we went to a private party at ESPN Zone on Times Square. More radio interviews for the finalist and then pictures with fans with the Heisman Trophy. It was just after midnight when Larry Jr. and I and 1983 Heisman winner Mike Rozier took a limousine back to the Roosevelt Hotel to meet my youngest son Marcus, my mother Sally Fitzgerald, my mother‑in‑law Mercedes Johnson, her daughter Kimberly and my brother Ephriam.

  Saturday, December 13: The big day. Marcus and 1, E.J. Borghetti and Larry Jr. walked to the ESPN studio in Manhattan for a live morning "Sports Center" interview with Larry Jr.

  Later that morning, Larry Jr., Marcus and I went shopping, then went back to Larry Jr.'s room for some time to reflect. Former Viking Eddie McDaniel dropped by for a visit. At 5:00 p.m., our entire family walked to the Yale Club for dinner.

  After dinner was the two‑hour Heisman Presentation Program seen nationall‑v on ESPN. It was exciting, dramatic stuff. I had a front row seat on the end of the row next to Mr. and Mrs. White, Jason's parents. In fact the Heisman Trophy was five feet in front of me.

  My heart was beating so fast just seconds before the announcement that Jason White was the 2003 Heisman Trophy winner. Larry Jr. was runner‑up ‑an incredible achievement for Carol Fitzgerald's oldest son. MS

THE MINNESOTA SCORE  WINTER 2004