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Thomson Reuters
Aug 30th 2018 6:47PM
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald eulogized Sen. John McCain Thursday, telling stories of the man who became his close friend despite their differences.
"Many people might wonder what a young African-American kid from Minnesota and a highly decorated Vietnam hero turned United States senator might have in common," Fitzgerald, 34, said. "Well, I thought of a few. I'm black. He was white. I'm young. He wasn't so young. He lived with physical limitations brought on by war. I'm a professional athlete. He ran for president. I run out of bounds. He was the epitome of toughness, and I do everything I can to avoid contact. I have flowing locks, and, well, he didn't."
Fitzgerald was one of four speakers to offer eulogies Thursday at a memorial service in Phoenix for McCain, who died of brain cancer last Saturday at 81. All were friends from different avenues of McCain's life. Fitzgerald spoke immediately before former Vice President Joe Biden, who became one of McCain's closest friends when they served together in the U.S. Senate.
John McCain's memorial service at the Arizona Capitol
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Cindy McCain, wife of U.S. Senator John McCain, touches the casket during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Jae C. Hong/Pool via REUTERS
U.S. Senator John McCain's wife Cindy and their sons James (L) and John (R) follow Senator McCain's casket into the Arizona State Capitol where he will lie in state in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Meghan McCain, daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain, cries over the casket during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Jae C. Hong/Pool via REUTERS
U.S. Senator John McCain's wife Cindy and their sons James (L) and John (3rd L) follow Senator McCain's casket into the Arizona State Capitol where he will lie in state in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. sits with her sons Jack, Jimmy, and daughter Meghan during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Ross D. Franklin/Pool via REUTERS
Cindy McCain and her son John follow the casket of U.S. Senator John McCain into the Arizona State Capitol where he will lie in state in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Cindy McCain, wife of U.S. Senator John McCain, attends a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Pool via REUTERS
The Arizona National Guard carries the casket into the museum rotunda during a memorial service for U.S. Senator John McCain at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Ross D. Franklin/Pool via REUTERS
U.S. Senator John McCain's wife Cindy and their sons James (L) and John (R) follow Senator McCain's casket into the Arizona State Capitol where he will lie in state in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Mourners touch the casket during a memorial service for U.S. Senator John McCain at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Jae C. Hong/Pool via REUTERS
An honor guard salutes as the casket of U.S. Senator John McCain arrives at the Arizona State Capitol where he will lie in state in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Cindy McCain, wife of U.S. Senator John McCain, touches the casket during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Jae C. Hong/Pool via REUTERS
The Arizona National Guard carries the casket into the museum rotunda during a memorial service for U.S. Senator John McCain at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Jae C. Hong/Pool via REUTERS
Meghan McCain, daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain touches the casket during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Ross D. Franklin/Pool via REUTERS
A guest pays his respects at the casket of U.S. Senator John McCain during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 29, 2018. Pool via REUTERS
The casket of Senator John McCain is carried by members of the Arizona National Guard to the Arizona State Capitol Rotunda where he will lie in state, August 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. - Senator John McCain, a decorated American war hero, US Senator and two-time presidential candidate, will lie in state at the Arizona State Capitol before being transported to Washington DC where he will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 29: Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, is escorted to the Arizona State Capitol Rotunda by her sons Jack (L) and Jimmy (R) where her husbands' body will lie in state on August 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Sen. McCain, a decorated war hero, died August 25 at the age of 81 after a long battle with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 29: Arizona governor Doug Ducey and wife Angela walk out of the State Capitol to accept the body of Sen. John McCain to the Capitol's Rotunda where it will lie in state on August 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Sen. McCain, a decorated war hero, died August 25 at the age of 81 after a long battle with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 29: Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, is escorted to the Arizona State Capitol Rotunda where her husband's body will lie in state on August 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Sen. McCain, a decorated war hero, died August 25 at the age of 81 after a long battle with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 29: Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. arrives with her sons Jack and Jimmy during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol on August 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Sen. McCain, a decorated war hero, died August 25 at the age of 81 after a long battle with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. (Photo by Ross D. Franklin-Pool via Getty Images)
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McCain represented Arizona in the Senate from 1987 until his death.
He was a passionate Arizona Cardinals fan, but Fitzgerald was an even bigger fan of him. As he got to know McCain and learned about what the senator had endured as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, Fitzgerald became motivated to travel there himself.
"I wanted to see the places where the will of John McCain was tested and forged," Fitzgerald said. "I saw the lake. I walked the steps. I sat in the cell. And the ordeal that my friend survived became all the more real."
(Larry Fitzgerald and Sen. John McCain in 2016 via Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Cindy McCain, the senator's widow, asked Fitzgerald to speak at the service. Two other Phoenix-area athletes -- former Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzalez and former Coyotes forward Shane Doan -- were pallbearers.
Another memorial service for McCain will be held Saturday at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama will speak. McCain's burial will be Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland.