Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be one of six speakers and one of three athletes participating in Sen. John McCain’s memorial service in Phoenix this week.
Fitzgerald was asked by Cindy McCain, wife of the late senator, a couple of months ago to speak at the service during a short drive after a visit to the McCain ranch in Cornville, Arizona, about 20 miles south of Sedona.
Fitzgerald told ESPN on Monday before his annual Fitz’s Supper Club fundraiser at Dominick’s Steakhouse in Scottsdale that he was initially “really taken aback” by the request but readily accepted.
"It's truly one of the greatest honors of my life to be able to talk about somebody who served his country so passionately and had been so dedicated to policies of this nation."
Larry Fitzgerald will speak at John McCain's funeral: https://t.co/sEdy2kY29a pic.twitter.com/QEjEfPsCIk
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 28, 2018
Former Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzalez and former Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan will serve as pallbearers.
Rest in peace to an American hero, statesman, servant of the people, and dear friend. Godspeed Senator McCain. My prayers for Cindy and the beautiful McCain family. pic.twitter.com/Tj87Hb8MtY
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) August 26, 2018