Larry Fitzgerald Q&A: NFL icon talks breast cancer awareness for his late mother, friendship with John McCain

Former Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald has turned the personal pain of losing his mother to breast cancer into a mission to help families confronting the disease.

Fitzgeralds mother, Carol, died from breast cancer in 2003. His foundation has since partnered with DraftKings on its annual Pink Em campaign, which has raised more than $700,000 for breast cancer awareness, research and patient support since launching in 2019.

Fitzgerald spoke with OutKick about the campaign, the influence of his mother, his friendship with the late Sen. John McCain, the relationships that defined his 17 seasons with the Cardinals and the current NFL season.

Questions and answers have been shortened for brevity and focus.

Q: Your foundations partnership with DraftKings through the Pink Em campaign has raised more than $700,000 for breast cancer awareness. What does that mean to you personally?

Larry Fitzgerald: Well, it means a lot that you can raise this type of awareness together in a partnership.

And I think thats what makes partnerships so special, especially when you have one as longstanding as this. Every single year, obviously, were raising money for a wonderful cause, but also getting people on our platform to play in our Pink Em campaign. And its a win-win for everybody. We get to raise awareness, and its a beautiful thing.

Q: When did you first become passionate about this cause?

Fitzgerald: In 2003, I lost my mother to breast cancer. And so this has been something thats near and dear to my heart. I have a couple other family members whove battled it. People in my organization at our foundation have done it as well.

And so its something that I live with, I think about, I hear about often in terms of treatments and cutting-edge results that are happening from some of the life sciences that are occurring now. And so this is something, I live this every single day.

Q: When you think back on your mother, what do you think she would think of where your career has gone and how youve created this foundation and championed this cause?

Fitzgerald: My mom was in the nonprofit space. So I know that it would be something that she would be happy about.

As a child, I was always going to events that she was either a part of, or she was a part of organizations that supported them. So it was always a part of the fabric of who we were as a family. My hope is that she would be proud of the work that were continuing to do. And I think she would want me to continue to stay motivated, to not take my foot off the gas and keep my focus on serving.

Q: Whats the biggest thing your mother taught you while you were growing up that youve carried throughout your life?

Fitzgerald: Well, just to be thoughtful and compassionate. Theres a lot of people out there that are in need. And sometimes somebody needs just a helping hand, a hello, a thank you, "How are you doing?" Just to be seen and thought about. Those things are really important.

They were important to her. And I always saw that she would always do that. And its something that I tried to implement when I was a youngster and still to this day.

SAM ACHO Q&A: FORMER NFL PLAYER AND ESPN ANALYST SPEAKS OUT ON CIVILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN SPORTS AND MEDIA

Q: How do you think that helped shape you during your football career?

Fitzgerald: Its something that I think is a part of you no matter what you do.

It doesnt matter if its in my current occupation o