Larry Fitzgerald Explains Why He Won't Officially Retire, Never Left Cardinals Ahead of NFL HOF Game

Larry Fitzgerald is set to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, but the Arizona Cardinals legend has yet to officially retire from football.

Fitzgerald hasn't played since 2020, but he said he doesn't feel the need to officially retire.

"I remember them talking about retirement killing more people in our country than anything," Fitzgerald told reporters Thursday. "And so that always stuck with me. And so, I just don't believe in retirement. I just think you transition into different phases, especially as an athlete."

In fact, he won't even use the word.

"Retired? What do you mean retired?" he said. "There's no retirement in sight. And, so, I don't know. I protest the word more than the actual thing. So, I just want to acknowledge that."

Fitzgerald had a tremendous NFL career, ending his time second on the league's all-time receiving yards list (17,492) and sixth on the all-time receiving touchdowns list (121).

His Hall of Fame career will be honored on Saturday in Canton, Ohio.