“I am wearing pink every Sunday in October. Pink throughout my uniform… pink chin straps, pink gloves, and pink shoes, “ Larry Fitzgerald told me.

Fitzgerald is one of many NFL players whose life has been altered by breast cancer.

“Losing my Mom to Breast Cancer is why the cause is so near and dear to my heart. This disease has affected my entire family…not only my immediate family but all of my relatives. We need to find a cure!”

I asked Fitzgerald if going through challenges off the field has helped him on the field.

Fitzgerald said that going through the challenges of losing his mother has helped him keep an even keel, despite what may happen to him. Good or bad.

“It makes me appreciate everyday I have on earth,” Fitzgerald said. “Because of my mothers struggle, I never allow myself to take life for granted. On the football field, you deal with a great deal of emotions… whatever adversity I am dealing with, winning or losing, good games or bad games… I am still able to enjoy the moment knowing I gave my best.”

Fitzgerald is committed to help in the efforts of finding a cure and getting the word out. He believes that early detection is pivotal and that getting information out will help save a lot of lives. He has taken on his mother’s philanthropic ways and is a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society.

Fitzgerald is thankful to the NFL and its efforts in drawing attention to the need for early detection.

“My mom would be proud of the efforts the NFL is making towards breast cancer awareness in helping to find a cure for this horrible disease,” Fitzgerald said. “I also feel it does help me honor my mother. Hopefully through early detection we are helping to save lives around the world.”

Every pink hat and pink cleat has a purpose, and connected to that purpose is a mom or a wife or a sister or even a husband. Go to www.NFL.com/auction to be a part of this colossal effort and open a dialogue between you and someone you love.

– Tiffany Shine

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