For an up-and-coming athlete in the Valley of the Sun, role models don’t come any more qualified than Larry Fitzgerald.
The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver and future Hall of Famer has been a constant force in the community since arriving in 2004. And because of his extensive charitable work, Fitzgerald has become one of the most revered sports figures in the state’s history. Among his many admirers – one Devin Booker.
Speaking to Fox Sports 910 at the NFL star’s eighth annual Fitz’s Supper Club event last week, Booker opened up about his admiration for Fitzgerald.
“I’m here for Larry. I’m like a little brother to Larry,” Booker said. “I want to be known in the community like Larry is.
“He has so many events like this. I haven’t gotten started yet, but I’m just being a sponge to him now – taking everything in and seeing how he handles himself because he is so loved here.”
Booker again showed his support in April at Fitzgerald’s celebrity softball game, in which the 19-year-old won the home run derby. The two crossed paths again at Cardinals training camp in August when the Suns paid a visit to University of Phoenix Stadium.
“Right when I got to Phoenix, I realized the respect that he has around here, and I want to be known as one of those people,” Booker said. “We’ve been texting back and forth and he says I have to expand what I’m doing for this community, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Booker, coming off an NBA All-Rookie First Team season, clearly still has a way to go to rival the wideout’s impact, but the Suns guard has a fan in Fitzgerald.
“Being an athlete, you have to realize kids are looking up to you. They’re trying to emulate you, they’re wearing your jersey, so you have to give them a good example,” Fitzgerald said. “I think in the Valley here if you look at our team and guys like Shane Doan, Devin Booker, Tyson Chandler, Paul Goldschmidt – these guys are really good men.
“There’s a lot of guys in this community you can look up to and they’re all like-minded in terms of serving this community.”
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