Rams star receiver Davante Adams admired former Arizona Cardinals nice Larry Fitzgerald from afar — and ultimately embraced him as a mentee and position mannequin.
In 17 seasons, Fitzgerald caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards, each of which rank second all-time, and 121 touchdowns, which ranks sixth.
In eleven-plus seasons, Adams has 1,009 receptions for 12,533 yards and 117 touchdowns, which ranks seventh.
Adams can transfer nearer to tying Fitzgerald in profession touchdowns on Sunday when the Rams play the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
“Anytime you can be mentioned with any of the names that are coming up as these weeks unfold, scoring touchdowns, being up there with some of those guys… it’s all elite company and definitely blessed,” Adams mentioned Thursday.
Adams mentioned that early in his profession, he met Fitzgerald after video games and instructed him how a lot he revered him. The sensation was apparently mutual.
In 2019, Fitzgerald “took me under his wing” and set him up with a “very expensive” doctor to assist him work by means of turf toe harm.
“So we just got connected and I kind of just followed his way, the way he moved as a pro,” Adams mentioned. “I had good examples in front of me on my team as well. But just having somebody like that who’s a football god, legend in this game, that obviously meant a lot to me to have somebody kind of take me under their wing, and so I definitely took advantage of it.”
Arizona Cardinals vast receiver Larry Fitzgerald strains up towards the Seattle Seahawks in December 2019.
(Abbie Parr / Getty Photos)
Adams has 52 catches for 689 yards and a league-best 14 touchdowns, 4 shy of his profession excessive set in 2020 with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Fitzgerald, who retired after the 2021 season, is a semifinalist for the 2026 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame class.
Adams mentioned Fitzgerald’s success as a businessman off the sector additionally has been an inspiration.
“There’s a lot of the same because I feel like I got a lot of depth to me,” Adams mentioned. “And it’s not just a football aspect. … So just learning from that, seeing that there’s a way to expand and just as a person, you know, outside of football, that was the biggest inspiration for me.”
Kyren Williams nominated for Man of the Yr award
Working again Kyren Williams is the Rams’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Yr Award, introduced yearly to a participant for his or her work on the sector and their “commitment to making a positive impact” off of it.
Williams has rushed for 868 yards and scored 10 touchdowns this season for a Rams workforce that’s 9-3 heading into Sunday’s sport towards the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. He has spent each off day throughout the season showing at neighborhood occasions, and has dedicated to changing into a Massive Brother, the workforce mentioned.
Former Rams lineman Andrew Whitworth received the award after the 2021 season.
Matthew Stafford named NFC participant of the month
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was named the NFC offensive participant of the month for November, the NFL introduced.
In 5 video games, Stafford handed for 1,207 yards and 15 touchdowns, with two interceptions.
This season, Stafford has handed for a league-leading 32 touchdowns, with 4 interceptions.
