Cardinals Legend Larry Fitzgerald Thanks Fans in Full-Page Ad After Hall of Fame Induction

Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, and he took the time to recognize the state and its fans for embracing him along his football journey after he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On Sunday, Fitzgerald took out a full page ad in the Arizona Republic thanking the fans the day following his induction:

"Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from," he wrote. "... So this isn't really a story about 17 seasons in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It's the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything."

Fitzgerald's love for Arizona is clear in his writing.

He mentioned "quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain" and "the red rocks of Sedona." However, he also focused on the "sense of belonging" that "changed me" that the fans provided during his career.

And he gave those fans plenty of reasons to cheer.

The wide receiver was one of the best players of his generation and finished with a resume that included 11 Pro Bowl selections, nine seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards and five seasons with double-digit touchdown catches, including when he led the league in the latter category in back-to-back seasons in 2008 and 2009.

He also led the league in receptions in 2005 and 2016 and remained a steady leader for the Cardinals throughout his 17-year career.

The newly inducted Hall of Famer is second on the NFL's all-time list in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492) behind only the legendary Jerry Rice. He is also sixth all-time with 121 touchdown receptions.

And perhaps most remarkably, Fitzgerald spent his entire year in one place putting up those unbelievable numbers.

He will always be remembered as a Cardinals legend and wanted to let the fans know he is incredibly appreciative of how they supported him during his run.