Fitzgerald, Craig Put Business Ventures on Hall of Fame Stage

Larry Fitzgerald and Roger Craig were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 8. The ceremony at Tom Benson Stadium recognized their business and philanthropy work alongside their playing records. Fitzgerald co-founded Trenches Capital, an investment firm that backs innovative startups, and started the First Down Fund to create educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth. Craig helped set up TIBCO Software's Athlete Impact Fund, which invests in athlete-led startups and supports youth sports programs in the Bay Area.

Fitzgerald spent all 17 seasons of his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals and was the first inductee of the class to reveal his bronze statue. His eldest son, Devin, spoke at the ceremony about mentorship and cooperative growth. Fitzgerald ranks second in NFL history with 1,432 catches and second in receiving yards with 17,492, trailing Jerry Rice in both categories, according to NFL.com data.

"Don't just pursue excellence for yourself. Help other people pursue it, too," Fitzgerald said. The point, he told the room, is the people you travel with and the values you uphold, not the fame.

The Arizona Cardinals plan to retire Fitzgerald's No. 11 jersey and induct him into the team's Ring of Honor, the Associated Press reported. Owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement that Fitzgerald's standard of excellence on the field was equaled only by his dedication to community service and business activities outside football.

Fitzgerald's community work runs through the First Down Foundation, which operates STEM education camps and college scholarships for Black youth in Phoenix and Minneapolis. He also founded the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund to promote youth development and improve healthcare access. BLACK ENTERPRISE gave him its XCEL Summit Award for business leadership and philanthropy in 2025. He is set to be honored at the 2025 XCEL Summit for Men.