When Tim Duncan announced his retirement earlier this year, he did so unlike previous sports superstars Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter and David Ortiz.
Duncan didn't have a farewell tour with teams presenting gifts and accolades before his final games and that's exactly how Cardinals Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald wants to go out.
“It’s not about me,” Fitzgerald told reporters Thursday of his career winding to a close. “This is a team game. I am one of 1,600 (players in the NFL). I’ve had a great time doing it, but I will never say, ‘I’m about to do this’ and try and get some adulation. That’s not how I’m wired. Tim Duncan is more my speed.”
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Fitzgerald, who is still on the fence about playing in 2017, remains on the top of his game with an NFC-best 102 receptions, which got him selected to his 10th Pro Bowl. But those receptions are only for 980 yards and five touchdowns. His 9.6 yards per catch would be a career low by more than a yard.
Fitzgerald signed a one-year contract extension in August, keeping him under contract through 2017 with an option for the 2018 season. The 33-year-old says he'll wait until February to mull over his options.
“Once that (season) wears off, you have a better determination – feeling – of what you want to do at that point,” Fitzgerald said. “I think the best thing is not to make any hasty decisions. That’s the process I’m going to take.”
Like Duncan, Fitzgerald is a humble, respected player and admitted he wouldn't even be excited to win the NFL receptions crown this season. His 102 catches trail the Steelers’ Antonio Brown by four, but Brown is expected to rest for the playoffs Sunday and not suit up.
“He’s not playing,” Fitzgerald said. “Got to put an asterisk by it if it were to happen.”