Page 20 - AT

A20 SPORTS
Thursday 16 January 2020

Cardinals star WR Fitzgerald returning for 2020 season

a one-year contact that in the NFC West. But the (1,378), receiving yards
will keep him in the desert franchise showed growth (17,083), receiving touch-
through 2020. as the season progressed, downs (120), total touch-
"This season was among including a road win over downs (120) and 100-yard
the most fun of my career," playoff-bound Seattle on games (49). His 1,378 ca-
Fitzgerald said in a tweet. Dec. 22.Fitzgerald's future reer receptions are the
"The future is so bright for was a little uncertain af- most by any player in NFL
this team & I relish the op- ter the Cardinals lost to history with a single team.
portunity to build with this the Rams on Dec. 29 in He ranks second all time
talented young nucleus." the regular-season finale. behind Hall of Famer Jerry
"Arizona is where I started Though his on-field perfor- Rice (1,549). Fitzgerald's
and where I will finish. 2020! mance showed he was still 17,083 career receiving
Let's get to work!" a high-quality NFL receiver, yards also rank second in
Fitzgerald was a key part he often talks about how NFL history, while his 120 ca-
of the Cardinals' offense in he's got other interests and reer touchdown receptions
his 16th NFL season, leading would take a few weeks to are sixth.
the team with 75 catches make his decision. In the 2019 season finale
for 804 yards and four Kingsbury said he'd make against the Rams, Fitzger-
touchdowns. He repeat- his pitch for Fitzgerald to ald appeared in his 250th
edly said how much he en- return. Teammates wanted career game for the Car-
joyed playing with rookie him back, too, though no- dinals, becoming the first
In this Oct. 6, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald attends a news conference after winning an NFL quarterback Kyler Murray, body seemed totally cer- wideout and 13th player
football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cincinnati. who was the No. 1 overall tain what his final decision in NFL history to appear in
Associated Press pick in last year's draft and would be. at least 250 games with a
quickly developed into a Now the speculation is single team.
By DAVID BRANDT returning for his 17th sea- quality starter. He also was over. He'll be 37 before the An 11-time Pro Bowler,
AP Sports Writer son with the franchise that quick to praise first-year start of next season, but Fitzgerald has played all 16
TEMPE, Arizona (AP) — Larry drafted him in 2004. coach Kliff Kingsbury. there's little sign he's slow- games in each of the last
Fitzgerald didn't keep the After some speculation that Now they'll get a second ing down. five years (2015-19) and his
Arizona Cardinals waiting the popular 36-year-old shot to make the play- In 16 seasons with Arizona, streak of 84 consecutive
for long. One of the most Fitzgerald might finally re- offs together. The Cardi- Fitzgerald is the Cardinals' starts is the longest active
productive wide receivers tire, the team announced nals had a 5-10-1 record franchise leader in games streak among NFL wide
in NFL history isn't done yet, Wednesday he has signed last year, which was last played (250), receptions receivers.q