Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington and the NFL Players Association have selected Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, as the recipient of its annual joint award. Fitzgerald will receive the award during the 27th Annual Lombardi Gala on November 2 in Washington.
The NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award was established to honor a leader in the sports industry whose life and family have been touched by cancer, and who encourages cancer research, prevention and treatment through awareness and philanthropy.
Fitzgerald has been growing his trademark dreadlocks since he was a freshman in college in memory of his mother Carol, who passed away after a seven-year battle with breast cancer.
To carry on his mother’s legacy, he helped establish the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, which supports the causes that his mother held close to her heart, such as the education of urban youth on HIV/AIDS and breast cancer awareness. Every year, the Fitzgerald family hosts events with celebrity guests to help raise money for each of the highlighted causes, and the wide receiver participates in countless community events to raise awareness about cancer and prevention.
“Larry stands out as a wonderful role model and citizen of the NFL,” says Louis M. Weiner, MD, director of Georgetown Lombardi. “He is in a unique position to leverage his success on the field to promote the important causes that he and his family hold dear. On behalf of Georgetown Lombardi, I commend his tireless efforts and look forward to presenting him with this award at our annual Gala.”
In 2012, he was named one of three finalists for the “Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year” Award and was also named the recipient of the 14th Annual Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award, given to the NFL player whose contributions to the community and charitable organizations are especially outstanding.
Fitzgerald’s accomplishments on the field are no less impressive. As one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, he has been voted to six consecutive Pro Bowls. His seven total career Pro Bowl nods are the most by an offensive player in Arizona Cardinals history, and his eight career touchdowns represent a Pro Bowl record. Fitzgerald is the Cardinals’ career leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns, 100-yard receiving games and consecutive games with a reception.
For more information on the award, visit Lombardi.georgetown.edu/gala.
