Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald eclipses Jerry Rice's single-team mark

[Glasgow]

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Larry Fitzgerald finally caught Jerry Rice.

The Arizona Cardinals star receiver passed Rice on Sunday for most catches with one team in NFL history. Fitzgerald's 14-yard catch with 5 minutes, 48 seconds left in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions gave him 1,282 catches in his 15 seasons with the Cardinals. Rice had 1,281 with the 49ers.

Fitzgerald was drafted by the Cardinals third overall in 2004. He has signed four contracts over his 15-year career with a handful of extensions added throughout.

The rarity of a player staying in one city for his entire career was not lost on Fitzgerald.

"It's a two-way street in this business," Fitzgerald said. "You have to want to stay in a place and the organization, team, coaches have to want you to be here. It's a two-way street. I'm appreciative of the Bidwill family for giving me the shot to continue to play and call Arizona home. It means a lot to me."

Fitzgerald finished Sunday's game with five catches for 55 yards, giving him 1,286 catches and counting for his career. He's still third on the NFL's all-time receptions list. Rice is first with 1,549 and tight end Tony Gonzalez is second with 1,325.

But Fitzgerald is second on the NFL's all-time receiving yards list with 16,108. Rice is first with 22,895.

Fitzgerald, 35, who is in the last year of his current deal, hasn't publicly announced his plans for next season. During the final few weeks of each of the past few seasons, Fitzgerald has been bombarded with questions about his playing future. He has typically announced his intentions about a month after the season.

Fitzgerald didn't reflect on the significance of his record Sunday after the Cardinals' 17-3 loss to the Detroit Lions. He said there'll be time for that after he's retired -- whenever that may be.

"When I'm done, I think I can look back and kind of reflect on it, but now is not the time," Fitzgerald said. "Being 3-10 is not a good feeling. I don't feel celebratory."