Cardinals to Retire Larry Fitzgerald’s No. 11 Jersey on October 25

The Arizona Cardinals will retire Larry Fitzgerald No. 11 and induct the legendary wideout into the franchise Ring of Honor during halftime of the Week 7 game against Denver.

The Arizona Cardinals announced Monday that the franchise will retire Larry Fitzgerald No. 11 and induct the legendary wide receiver into the team's Ring of Honor. This ceremony is scheduled to take place at halftime of the Week 7 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 25 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The decision comes exactly 48 hours after Fitzgerald was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

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Fitzgerald becomes the sixth player in the history of the Cardinals organization to have his jersey number retired. Additionally, his induction marks him as the 20th member to join the franchise's prestigious Ring of Honor. These accolades follow a career that spanned 17 NFL seasons, all of which were played exclusively with the Arizona Cardinals after the team selected him with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft.

Upon the conclusion of his playing career, Fitzgerald secured his place as the franchise leader in every major receiving category. He holds the Cardinals' all-time records for total receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns scored. Furthermore, no player has appeared in more games for the organization than Fitzgerald, who established the franchise benchmark for total games played during his nearly two-decade tenure in the desert.

On a league-wide scale, Fitzgerald’s production ranks among the elite in NFL history. He finished his professional career ranked second all-time in both total receptions and career receiving yards. These league-wide rankings place him behind only Jerry Rice in the history of the sport, cementing the statistical legacy that led to his recent Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill released a formal statement regarding the upcoming October ceremony, noting that no individual who has worn the team uniform is more deserving of such recognition. Bidwill emphasized that Fitzgerald’s excellence on the gridiron was matched by his representation of the team and the local community off the field. The owner expressed gratitude for the chance to allow fans to celebrate the wide receiver's contributions to the state of Arizona.

Since entering the league as a top-three selection in 2004, Fitzgerald remained a constant fixture of the Arizona offense for 17 years. His transition into the Ring of Honor and the retirement of his jersey number serves as the final local tribute following his national recognition in Canton. The Oct. 25 date provides a specific window for the organization to immortalize the No. 11 jersey, ensuring no future Cardinals player will wear the digit again. This announcement was reported by Josh Weinfuss, who has covered the team for ESPN since 2013.

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The wide receiver's longevity is evidenced by his 263 career games played, a number that stands atop the franchise record books. During his tenure, he amassed 1,432 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards, figures that solidified his status as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His 121 career receiving touchdowns also represent a franchise high, distancing him from any other pass-catcher in the team's century-long history.

State Farm Stadium will host the festivities during a primetime-adjacent window, as the Denver Broncos visit for a mid-season clash. The timing of the event, occurring just two days after the Canton ceremony, ensures that the momentum of his national induction carries directly into the local celebration. Fans attending the Week 7 contest will witness the official unveiling of his name alongside the other 19 legends currently residing in the Ring of Honor.

Fitzgerald’s impact extended beyond mere volume stats; he was a model of consistency, recording nine seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. He also led the NFL in receptions in two separate seasons, 2005 and 2016, proving his effectiveness across different eras of the game. His postseason performance in 2008 remains a league record, where he recorded 546 receiving yards in a single playoff run, helping lead Arizona to its first Super Bowl appearance.

By retiring the No. 11, the Cardinals ensure that Fitzgerald joins the ranks of J.V. Cain, Marshall Goldberg, Stan Mauldin, Ollie Matson, and Pat Tillman as the only players to receive this specific honor. The organization has historically been selective with jersey retirements, making this October 25 event a rare milestone for the franchise. The ceremony will serve as a permanent bookend to a career that began with a draft card in 2004 and ended with a gold jacket in 2024.