PA Bettors Can Team Up With Larry Fitzgerald, DraftKings To Fight Breast Cancer

Written By Dave Bontempo on October 11, 2024
Larry Fitzgerald on the sideline at a Pitt Panthers game. His foundation works with DraftKings to support breast cancer awareness

There’s a way for Pennsylvania sports bettors to help score for the cure, and it lasts throughout October.

Legendary Pittsburgh Panther and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who spent two decades grabbing touchdown passes for those teams, is now throwing them — philanthropically speaking — along with DraftKings and its customers.

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation is teaming up with the DraftKings S.E.R.V.E.S. program. The goal is to raise $100,000 for breast cancer research and support for families impacted by breast cancer.

Foundation is a winner in DraftKings free-to-play pools

DraftKings PA sportsbook patrons will be at the center of the action when they enter Pink ’Em free-to-play pools through Week 9 of the NFL Sunday schedule. Customers can pick their team across each matchup to compete for a share of $5,000 in weekly DK Dollar prizes.

For each of the first 20,000 free pool entries weekly, DraftKings will donate $1 to the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation to fund breast cancer research and support for individuals and families affected by this disease.

The two parties announced the partnership last week. Entries are being accepted at draftkings.com/pinkem. More pools will be open Oct. 13, 20, and 27.

Since DraftKings’ Pink ’Em campaign launched six years ago, the annual initiative has raised over $500,000 in donations through free-to-play pick ’em pools during the October NFL Sunday game slate.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2024.

Breast cancer fight has personal significance for Fitzgerald

This cause hits home with Fitzgerald, whose organization has supported women, men, and families affected by breast cancer since its 2005 inception.

Fitzgerald made the foundation’s work a pillar of his life after losing his mother Carol to breast cancer in 2003. 

He is passionate about continuing his mother’s legacy of supporting breast cancer survivors.

“I continue to be incredibly impressed with DraftKings and their amazing customers who have made such a meaningful impact for so many people,” Fitzgerald said.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has joined these charitable pools, helping us tackle breast cancer while still enjoying the exciting and responsible gaming experiences that DraftKings provides. Together, we’re making a difference, and I’m proud of that.”

Keystone State was a stepping stone for football legend

Fitzgerald’s path to becoming a legend came through Pennsylvania. The Minnesota native spent one year at the Valley Forge Military Academy and then an unforgettable two seasons for the Pitt Panthers.

So, long before he reached 11 NFL Pro Bowls or compiled the league’s second-most receiving yards (17,492) and receptions (1,432), along with the sixth-most touchdowns (121), Pennsylvania natives got to see him in action.

Fitzgerald was a star wide receiver at Pitt during his two seasons on campus in 2002 and 2003. In 26 career games, he tallied 161 catches for 2,677 yards and 34 touchdowns, a school record. 

In 2003, Fitzgerald received the Walter Camp Player of the Year honor, won the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s best receiver, and received a first-team All-American selection. He had 92 catches for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns that season.

Also in 2003, Fitzgerald was the runner-up for the prestigious Heisman Trophy, won by Oklahoma’s Jason White.

Fitzgerald accumulated many achievements while at Pitt, including: 

  • First sophomore to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. 
  • Setting an NCAA record by catching a touchdown in 18 consecutive games. 
  • Setting or tying four NCAA, eight Big East, and 11 Pitt records. 

On July 1, 2013, the University of Pittsburgh retired Fitzgerald’s No. 1 jersey. He was the ninth Pittsburgh player to receive this honor. In 2021, Fitzgerald was ranked second on ESPN’s list of the 50 greatest wide receivers of the past 50 years.

Charitable acts are in character for future Hall of Famer

Fitzgerald is likely to be a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he becomes eligible in 2026, but this is the year his Pitt credentials will be honored. Fitzgerald will enter the College Football Hall of Fame when the class of 2024 is inducted on Dec. 10 in Las Vegas. 

“Larry Fitzgerald’s career at Pitt was absolutely unforgettable,” Pitt football coach Pat Narduzzi said after Fitzgerald was selected.

“[It was] not just the big plays he made, those gigantic catches, but it [also] was the incredible class he displayed on and off the field. Personally, I will never forget him handing the ball to the officials after every touchdown. Pure class. Everyone at Pitt is so proud of Larry and offers their congratulations on his election to the College Football Hall of Fame.”

Fitzgerald was always something special on the field. Through his foundation and the gaming world, he continues to gain acclaim.

Photo by Keith Srakocic / AP Images
Dave Bontempo Avatar
Written by
Dave Bontempo

Dave Bontempo, a multiple national award-winning boxing commentator and writer, authors NFL betting columns for the Press of Atlantic City and IGaming Player, among others. He writes significantly about the emerging world of legal New Jersey sports betting.

View all posts by Dave Bontempo
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