Thanks to Mrs. Newman for my sportswriter career
Meanwhile, Larry, Jr. breaks
records coast to coast

 

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 12/02/2009

HONOLULU, HAWAII — Many years ago — nearly three decades ago, in fact — Ms. Norma Jean Williams gave me the opportunity to start a career covering sports for the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder newspapers. I'm very grateful for that opportunity. The name Cecil Newman and the picture that met you as you walked into the newspaper offices reminded me of the price he paid to build the newspaper.

Integrity is something you cannot buy; you either have it or you don't. I never met Mr. Newman, but I did get to know his wife, Mrs. Launa Newman. She drove all of us to be great, not just good, and I'm deeply saddened by her passing.

Mrs. Newman always, from day one, treated me like family. She would pat me on the back sometimes, and again she would let me know when I needed to pick it up and do a better job.

She gave me the title of sports editor, and when I told her and Norma that we needed to hire these good sports writers to improve our sports coverage, like Charles Hallman, Kwame McDonald and Mitch McDonald, they did.

Over the last few weeks, my oldest son, Larry, Jr., the All-Pro star, and his team's success have brought worldwide attention to the career of his father as the first sports writer in history to cover his son in the Super Bowl.

That is something I'm very proud of, but it means more to me to know that Mrs. Newman was able in her last days to see that the newspaper her husband built and the legacy she carried on and passed on to her children Norma and Jack Jackman and granddaughter Tracy was being recognized around the world.

You see, Mrs. Newman listened to me years ago when I shared my vision with her about covering big games, and she always told me to go do it. There are no bigger games than the Super Bowl, and even when it was no longer in the budget, I've continued to carry on the legacy now 29 years.

I was in Hawaii last week when I heard about her passing. She always asked me about my boys. Mrs. Newman, thank you for giving me a chance. I will be forever grateful.

Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, February 1, 2009, between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, was the top-rated and most witnessed event in television history. Not number two, but number one all-time.

Fitz Notes & Quotes

Red Hot All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals in four playoff games, including the tough 27-23 Super Bowl XLIII loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, set NFL all-time playoff records with 30 receptions for 546 yards and seven touchdowns. He's the first NFL player in history to have four straight 100-yard receiving games and score at least one touchdown in each game.

Fitzgerald Pro Bowl MVP

Larry Fitzgerald Jr is the star of stars. He helped lead the NFC to a 30-21 comeback win over the AFC stars in the 59th annual Pro Bowl game.

Vikings stars Jared Allen, Antoine Winfield and Adrian Peterson all played big roles in the victory. Allen had a sack-forced fumble and recovery, Winfield grabbed an interception, and Peterson scored a touchdown.

But, it was Fitzgerald with five receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns who was recognized as the game's MVP.

Fitzgerald may have just completed one of the greatest seasons by a wide receiver in NFL history. During the regular season, he led the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals to their first Division title since 1975 and first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

He led all the NFC receivers in three categories with 96 receptions for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns. That's the Triple Crown. His 12 touchdown receptions were the most in the NFL among receivers.

If you combine his numbers for 21 games, including the four playoff games and the Pro Bowl, Larry, Jr. had 131 receptions for 2,058 yards, and he scored 21 touchdowns. That's an average of at least one touchdown a game.

Fitzgerald will be a special guest on this Friday's (February13) Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC-TV.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-re corder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.