Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (1954–2026), who died June 1 at age 71, was born and raised in Chicago. A high school football star and two-time All-American, he later played defensive tackle at Indiana State University from 1975 to 1977.
But once he relocated to Minneapolis in the late 1970s, “Fitz,” as he became widely known, made it his life’s work to be a trusted voice for Black athletes and coaches. He was a consistent and visible fixture covering Twin Cities pro sports in an environment where Black professionals were seen mainly as athletes and rarely as sports journalists.
“He told me more than once that his work ethic came from emulating Sid Hartman,” recalled Twin Cities Almanac co-host Eric Eskola, referring to the late legendary sportswriter and broadcaster who died in 2020 at age 100. “When he first came to town, he scoped out who the big hitters in media were, who were the most successful guys. He soon learned that Sid kind of stirred the drink in the Twin Cities sports media, and he said he emulated Sid’s work ethic.”
“I’m sure they weren’t on the same page on a lot of things,” Eskola continued, “but I think Larry learned some lessons from how Sid conducted his business, being everywhere and going to as many events as possible.”
Fitzgerald made monthly appearances on Almanac, the weekly news and public affairs program on TPT2 and the longest-running prime-time TV program in Minnesota history.
“He was on our show almost monthly for nearly 30 years,” said Almanac supervising producer Kari Kennedy. “His first appearance was in 1997, and we consider him a part of the Almanac family. He was exuberant. He had that big laugh. He was never afraid to speak his mind about sports.”
Fitzgerald’s print and broadcasting career began in 1978. It included daily sports reports on KMOJ-FM and WDGY-AM, among others. His “Fitz Beat” was a longtime weekly column at the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder newspapers, continuing after the two Black papers merged in 2000 as the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He also hosted and produced sports programming for local, regional and national outlets.
Fitz co-hosted The Dennis Green Show for five years on KMOJ, believed to be the first time an NFL head coach had a show on Black radio. Green was the Minnesota Vikings’ first Black head coach.
Fitzgerald’s presence became nationally known when he criticized the Vikings for hiring play-by-play man Lee Hamilton from San Diego in 2001 after revealing the California sports talk host had made racially insensitive comments on air. His MSR column prompted a meeting between local NAACP officials and team management, which resulted in Hamilton resigning before the season.
Fitz was among the second Black hosts at KFAN Sports Radio in the early 1990s and once co-owned KMAP, a daytime-only 500-watt AM station in South St. Paul that played urban contemporary music, where he co-hosted the daily morning show.
He also gained national attention during Super Bowl XLIII in 2009 as the first American journalist to cover his own child’s performance in the championship game. His son, Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.
“He was on earlier this year in February, right after Junior was named for the Hall of Fame,” Kennedy recalled. “He could not have been prouder. It was just a delightful interview.”
As news of Fitzgerald’s passing spread on social media, tributes and condolences poured in. Survivors include his two sons, Marcus and Larry Jr.
“I’m just glad to be a part of his life, and knowing what he has done for the state, for the city of Minneapolis, the whole country by giving what he gave to his sons,” said former Minnesota Gopher Ken Foxworth, a frequent MSR contributor.
“As knowledgeable a sports writer as they come,” said longtime St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walter. “I go to Fitz a lot of times to find out what’s going on because he’s got inside stuff. A lot of the players like him, and they confide in him.”
Longtime Black journalist and NABJ Hall of Fame inductee Rob Parker said, “He was smart, wise and just a good man. He helped me early in my career with advice I still hold onto today.”
The Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves and Lynx all 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 was a mainstay in the Minnesota media community who covered the Gophers and Twin Cities sports for decades. We are saddened by his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends,” said Minnesota Athletics senior associate athletic director Paul Rovnak.
Journalist Jemele Hill wrote on social media: “Just a really incredible person with integrity, and a dedicated journalist. Excellent pillar of the community. He’ll be deeply missed.”
“Larry Sr. was always good to me from my first day at Winter Park, always positive about the Vikings and the players he covered,” said retired Vikings wide receiver Jake Reed. “Rest in peace, my brother.”
NBA.com writer Steve Aschburner, a former local beat writer, said: ‘Fitzy was a Fitz-ure on the Twin Cities sports scene (and a rabid NBA fan who found his way to many Finals). He wanted accountability, too from the organizations, the coaches and the athletes there …'”
Fitz was a devoted husband. His wife Carol, to whom he was married for 24 years, passed away from breast cancer in 2003. He kept her memory alive by establishing the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund to raise money for urban education, HIV awareness and breast cancer research.
“A devoted father, husband, grandfather and a true pioneer in the Minnesota broadcasting community, he spent his life pouring into the people and the city he loved so much,” Marcus said in announcing his father’s passing on social media.
“My father was a man of strength, love and encouragement,” Larry Jr. added. “He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction. He was the rock of our family.”
“I think the relationship he had with Carol may not have been given the credit it deserves,” Eskola said. “They were a formidable team. They raised exemplary young men. I think she was a real star in that family.”
Fitzgerald was also inducted as one of five charter members of the Southside Sports Hall of Fame in February.
Pioneer. Trailblazer. Door opener for Black sports journalists. Larry Fitzgerald Sr. was all of these, and then some.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
Copyright © Charles Hallman