Fitz named Humanitarian of the Year

Aug. 13, 2012

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. --Larry Fitzgerald distributes hearing aids in Uganda, digs ditches in Ethiopia and serves humanity in locales all over the world. It’s not surprising, then, that the Cardinals wide receiver was named the NFL Humanitarian of the Year by Pro Football Weekly, which has been handing out the award for 14 years.

“It’s well deserved,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday. “I don’t think there are many guys in the game that mean as much football-wise that also mean as much to the community or to other people like Larry does. He’s a tireless worker, and I think it’s great he’s been recognized for that.

“You always wonder about guys and what they will do with that platform and if they will help others with a quality of life. It’s a very unselfish mentality for Larry and a credit to his mother and father and how they raised him.”

Fitzgerald works with the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, established in honor of his mother, who died of breast cancer. He also has traveled the world distributing hearing aids to the poor through the Starkey Hearing Foundation. He and Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin are part of an effort to help Africans with self-improvement projects, including building facilities to preserve water to ease severe drought conditions.

The other finalists were Ravens center Matt Birk, Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, Buccaneers offensive lineman Davin Joseph and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.

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