Rest in Power, Larry Fitzgerald Sr.: A Beloved MSR Sportswriter and Champion for Black Athletes Has Passed Away at 71
Larry Fitzgerald Sr., a beloved Minnesota sportswriter who spent more than 45 years at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder advocating for Black athletes and coaches, has died at age 71, leaving behind a legacy of tireless journalism, community commitment and a son set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.
Larry Fitzgerald Sr., a beloved Minnesota sportswriter who spent more than 45 years advocating for Black athletes at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, has died at age 71. His family announced the news on social media.
For nearly five decades, Fitzgerald Sr. was a fixture in Minnesota sports journalism and a trusted voice who made it his life’s work to ensure Black athletes and coaches received the attention and coverage they deserved. He covered dozens of Super Bowls and major sporting events across the country, earning the respect of the Twin Cities journalism community and the broader sports world alike.
His son, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., who attended Holy Angels High School, is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. Fitzgerald Sr. was a regular presence inside NFL stadiums throughout his son’s storied career with the Arizona Cardinals.
“My father was a man of strength, love and encouragement,” Fitzgerald Jr. wrote on social media. “He opened countless doors for me and my brother. He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction. He was the rock of our family. He taught us that perseverance, hard work, and unwavering commitment are the foundations of a meaningful life and personal success. I will carry his love, words, and wisdom with me always.”
The Minnesota Vikings also paid tribute. “The Vikings organization is saddened by the passing of Larry Fitzgerald Sr., a distinguished journalist and trusted voice in Minnesota sports for nearly 50 years,” the team said. “Larry built relationships with players, coaches and staff members for each of the local teams and was recognized across the NFL, covering dozens of Super Bowls and other major events.”
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder sports columnist Charles Hallman, who worked alongside Fitzgerald Sr. for more than three decades, shared a personal remembrance of his friend and colleague.
“Larry and I became colleagues at the MSR in 1990. Prior to that we worked together at KMOJ-FM for several years during the 1980s and competed against each other of sorts when I was at Insight News,” Hallman wrote. “We both were cut from the same cloth as strong advocates for Black athletes and coaches in that if we didn’t do it, they might not get the proper attention in coverage as they should.”
Hallman recalled Fitzgerald Sr.’s pride in both of his sons and his tireless dedication to honoring his late wife Carol. “He was a regular fixture at Super Bowls, including in person to watch his son Larry Jr. play for Arizona. He was extremely proud of him and his older son Marcus, both of whom I knew since they were little. And we watched how he worked tirelessly in honoring his late wife Carol, a precious soul in her own right.”
“Larry rightfully earned the respect of both the Twin Cities journalism community as well as nationwide for his diligence,” Hallman wrote. “He will be dearly and deeply missed.”
Fitzgerald Sr. is survived by his sons Larry Jr. and Marcus.
Rest in Power, Larry Fitzgerald Sr.