Arizona Cardinals fans saw something on Sunday at State Farm Stadium they had never seen before. It wasn’t the 18-15 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn’t the big fourth-quarter performance by Larry Fitzgerald, his touchdown reception or even the two-point conversion he scored to put the team up 18-15 with only a few seconds remaining in the game.
After he scored on the conversion, he spiked the ball. He normally just hands the ball to the official. This time, he spiked it.
After the victory, he apologized for it, too, although he did have some extra emotion coming into the game.
“I”ve never spiked a ball before in my life,” he told reporters. “I was a little frustrated and had a heavy heart today because my son Devin — my oldest son — didn’t want to come to the game today. My feelings were a little hurt, so I was carrying that around all day. So when I got in there, I kind of let it out.
“To all the kids that are watching, I’m sorry I set a bad example today.”
His son went to the State Fair instead, something Fitzgerald is still “a little disturbed by.”
His son missed out on a classic Fitzgerald performance. He had his season-high in receptions. He had his first 100-yard performance of the year. The Cardinals won at home for the first time this season.
He also missed the spike.
Unfortunately, he will likely see everything else except that. For the fans who like a good celebration after a touchdown, soak that one in. We won’t see another one like it.
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