Larry Fitzgerald Jr. again mum on future following Cardinals' home finale

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Larry Fitzgerald Jr. wandered the field after the Arizona Cardinals ended a six-game losing streak, searching for hugs and handshakes.

He went through what seemed like half the Cleveland Browns sideline, stopping to share a laugh or a pat on the back and posing for a few photos.

When Fitzgerald finally found himself alone, he trotted off the field as he always does. No celebrations, no looks around the stadium, no saving a football or a jersey.

If this was the home finale of his storied career, Fitzgerald didn't treat it any differently than any other game.

"I told you, man, it's a job. I love what I do, but when it's over, it's over," the Minneapolis native and former Holy Angels athlete said following Arizona's 38-24 victory over the Browns on Sunday, a game highlighted by Kenyan Drake running for 137 yards and four touchdowns. "I'm not going to lose any sleep and I've got a lot of great things ahead of me."

Fitzgerald was feted in Arizona's final home game a year ago amid speculation he might hang up the cleats for good. The Cardinals played video tributes to him during timeouts dubbed the "Twelve Days of Fitzmas" and fans serenaded him with chants of "Larry!" throughout the game.

Turns out, it wasn't Fitzgerald's finale.

As a difficult season in the desert has drawn closer to the finish, the speculation about Fitzgerald's future has ratcheted up again.

As he did a year ago, he put no time frame for making a decision, giving no indication if he's leaning one way or another.

If he does call it a career, Fitzgerald will leave as one of the most productive and respected players in NFL history.

"He's the gold standard of what an NFL player should be," Arizona guard Justin Pugh said. "He leads by example, he leads by work ethic, he's the GOAT for reason."

Fitzgerald, who had five catches for 42 yards Sunday, will likely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible and find his No. 11 in Arizona's ring of honor after putting together one of the greatest careers by a receiver in NFL history.

Fitzgerald entered Sunday second behind Jerry Rice in NFL history with 1,372 catches and 16,690 yards receiving. He is sixth in career receiving TDs with 119 and holds nearly every significant receiving record in Cardinals history.

The respect comes from the professionalism Fitzgerald shows on the field and the countless hours he spends working with charities and the rest of the community.