Larry Fitzgerald, the 2025 Heisman Humanitarian, with Heisman Trustee Jim Corcoran and Pitt mascot Roc the Panther at the 2025 Heisman Legends Brunch on Dec. 14.Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust
Heisman Humanitarian Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Named Pro Football Hall Of Fame Finalist
Larry Fitzgerald Jr., the 2025 Heisman Humanitarian, was named one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 on Tuesday (Dec. 30) in his first year of eligibility.
Fitzgerald Jr. is joined in the Hall of Fame finalist group by fellow 2003 Heisman Trophy finalist Eli Manning as well as two-time Heisman finalist Drew Brees.
Fitzgerald Jr., recently honored during the 2025 Heisman Trophy weekend in New York, joins Brees among four first-year eligible players. The other first-year-eligible players were Frank Gore and Jason Witten.
There are 10 Heisman Trophy winners in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The most recent Heisman addition to the Hall was Charles Woodson in 2021.
Fitzgerald Jr. starred at Pittsburgh where he earned unanimous All-American honors in 2003, finishing a close second in the Heisman Trophy voting behind winner Jason White.
In 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2004-2020), Fitzgerald had 1,432 receptions for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns in 263 games. He is second on the NFL’s career receptions and receiving yards lists and sixth in touchdown receptions.
The third overall draft pick in 2004 was also an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and an Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award recipient.
Brees, the two-time Heisman finalist, finished fourth in 1999 and third in 2000, receiving 69 first-place votes in the latter season.
Manning is in his second straight year as an NFL Hall of Fame finalist. He was a Heisman finalist in 2003, finishing third with 619 points behind Fitzgerald and White. He also got 69 first-place votes.
The 2003 Heisman top 10 was prolific. It also included seventh-place finisher and first-time NFL Hall of Fame semifinalist Phillip Rivers. who received three first-place Heisman votes.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 will be announced at “NFL Honors” in San Francisco in February and will be enshrined in August in Canton. Read the full finalist release here.
