Larry Fitzgerald isn't ready to hang up his cleats just yet.
After speculation that 2018 would be his final NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals announced that the star wide receiver will return to the team for the 2019 season after agreeing to a one-year contract.
Fitzgerald will become just the 16th wide receiver in history to play in at least 16 NFL seasons. Only five wide receivers, including former Cardinal Ricky Proehl, have played more than 16.
"A fire burned inside of me my rookie year... a desire, over all else, to be great. To excel on the field. To impact the lives of others off of it. I’m grateful that the fire still burns just as bright today, and that this organization has let me chase that fire for well over a decade," Fitzgerald wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday. "Nothing excites me more than continuing to chase greatness with everyone here on and off the field. Let’s get to work!"
The Legend continues. @LarryFitzgerald will return for his 16th season with the Cardinals in 2019. pic.twitter.com/t5owK1MLTl
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 23, 2019
The 35-year-old Fitzgerald was selected by the Cardinals with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He is the Cardinals' all-time leader in most receiving categories. In December, he passed Jerry Rice to set a new NFL record for most receptions for one team. He is an 11-time Pro Bowl selection.
Fitzgerald is among the NFL leaders in many receiving categories, including No. 2 all-time in receiving yards behind Rice. He is third in NFL history in total receptions behind only Rice and Tony Gonzalez.
Fitzgerald has made some of the most crucial plays in Cardinals history, including seven total touchdowns on the team's run to Super Bowl XLIII. His overtime heroics gave the Cardinals a playoff win over the Green Bay Packers three years ago.
Fitz has already had an eventful offseason, as he made a hole-in-one while golfing with former President Obama last week. On Feb. 15, he will be honored at Kurt and Brenda Warner's Celebrity Game Night, a fundraiser for their charity, Treasure House.
During his introductory press conference Jan. 9, new Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury expressed a desire to have Fitzgerald back in 2019.
"What a great role model, what a great leader to have on your team. I would love and be honored to work with him," Kingsbury said.
We now take you to Cards HQ for an announcement from @LarryFitzgerald. #BeRedSeeRed pic.twitter.com/kqCbIqygOY
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 23, 2019
