Tragedy Defines Fitzgerald's Offseason

By ESPN

Tragedy defined Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald's offseason.

Fitzgerald lost his former coach/mentor Dennis Green and his agent, Eugene Parker, within four months of each other.

Green died July 21 from cardiac arrest and Parker died March 31 after battling kidney cancer.

"It's been very difficult," Fitzgerald said. "Those two men are tremendous mentors for me. Coach Green gave me both jobs I've ever had in my life. All the ups and downs of going through my career, he's always been one that's always been there for me.

"Same with my agent, Eugene Parker. Met him when I was 19 years old and we grew together over the years. It's been really tough losing two people I hold in the highest regards."

Fitzgerald first met Green when he was 9 years old through Fitzgerald's father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr.

Fitzgerald Jr. became a ball boy for the Minnesota Vikings during Green's tenure there and then was drafted by the Green-coached Cardinals in 2004.

Parker helped negotiate each of Fitzgerald's four NFL contracts, as well as a restructured deal in 2014. Fitzgerald has earned about $129.3 million in his career, according to Spotrac research.

Hopkins Returns to Texans

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said in a statement to ESPN he is returning to join the Houston Texans, despite his disappointment in the team's unwillingness to negotiate a contract extension for him.

"I too am disappointed that the Texans organization has elected not to enter into contract negotiation to secure my future as a Texan," the statement read. "I have expressed my sincere position regarding my contract status and with sound mind have expressed my stands (sic) to the Texans organization.

The team moved Hopkins from the Reserve/Did Not Report list back to the active roster on Sunday.