Larry Fitzgerald Enters the Hall of Fame-and the Arizona Sports G.O.A.T. Debate Heats Up
GLENDALE - It’s been a tough stretch for the Arizona Cardinals and their fans, but this week, they finally got a moment worth celebrating: Larry Fitzgerald is officially a Pro Football Hall of Famer. And not just any inductee-he made it in on the first ballot, a rare honor that speaks volumes about his impact on the game and the state he represented for 17 seasons.
Fitzgerald's induction isn’t just a personal milestone-it’s a moment that reopens one of Arizona’s favorite sports debates: Who’s the greatest athlete in state history?
Charles Barkley, never one to shy away from a hot take, weighed in without hesitation. “Larry Fitzgerald is the greatest athlete in Arizona sports history,” Barkley declared. And when a former NBA MVP and Suns legend steps aside to crown someone else, that says something.
The Case for Fitzgerald
Let’s start with the obvious: Fitzgerald is the face of Arizona football. A model of consistency, class, and clutch performances, he redefined what it meant to be a wide receiver in the modern NFL.
Sure, he never won a Super Bowl, but his legacy stretches far beyond rings. Eleven Pro Bowls.
Countless highlight-reel catches. And perhaps more importantly, a loyalty to the Cardinals franchise that’s nearly unheard of in today’s era of player movement.
He wasn’t just great-he was great here. And that matters when we talk about the G.O.A.T. conversation in Arizona sports.
Other Heavyweights in the Conversation
Of course, Fitzgerald isn’t running unopposed in this debate. Barkley himself is a strong contender.
He brought an MVP trophy to Phoenix in 1993 and led the Suns to the NBA Finals that same year. His cultural footprint in the Valley is massive, but by stepping aside and giving Fitzgerald the nod, Barkley may have taken himself out of the running.
Then there’s Randy Johnson, the Big Unit. From a pure accolades standpoint, Johnson might have the strongest résumé of them all.
Four Cy Young Awards with the Diamondbacks. Five All-Star selections.
And let’s not forget: he helped bring Arizona its only major professional sports championship, earning World Series co-MVP honors in 2001. That’s a level of achievement that’s hard to ignore.
But Johnson only spent eight seasons in Arizona-half of Fitzgerald’s tenure. Longevity and connection to the community play a role here, and that’s where Johnson’s case starts to lose a little ground.
Diana Taurasi: Dominance on the Hardwood
Don’t sleep on Diana Taurasi. Drafted the same year as Fitzgerald, she’s been nothing short of a force for the Phoenix Mercury.
Eleven-time All-Star. WNBA MVP.
The league’s all-time leading scorer. And, oh yeah-three WNBA titles.
Taurasi’s case is rock-solid. If there’s any knock on her, it’s less about her game and more about circumstances.
She sat out the 2015 season to play overseas-a decision driven by financial realities in women’s basketball, not a lack of commitment. Still, when it comes to cultural impact in Arizona, it’s tough to match Fitzgerald’s statewide reach.
Devin Booker: The Heir Apparent?
And then there’s Devin Booker. At just 29, he’s already carved out a special place in the hearts of Arizona sports fans.
Five-time All-Star. Two-time All-NBA.
A Finals appearance in 2021. The accolades are solid, but what sets Booker apart is his connection to the community.
He’s built basketball courts across the state, revitalized public parks, and invested heavily in underserved youth. His off-court impact is already rivaling what he’s done in a Suns uniform-and he’s just getting started.
Booker doesn’t have the résumé yet to overtake Fitzgerald, but give it another decade, and the conversation could look very different. If he brings a title to Phoenix, all bets are off.
The Legacy of Larry Fitzgerald
For now, though, this moment belongs to Fitzgerald. His Hall of Fame induction is more than a personal achievement-it’s a reminder of what he meant to Arizona. He was the constant through years of change, the superstar who stayed loyal, the player kids across the state grew up watching and idolizing.
Whether or not he’s your pick for Arizona’s G.O.A.T., there’s no denying he’s in the conversation-and probably sitting at the top of the list for now.
And if Devin Booker, Diana Taurasi, or anyone else wants to claim that crown? They’ll have to go through Larry Legend first.