What happened: Fitzgerald chose Hall of Fame recognition when asked to trade it for a championship. He framed the jacket as proof of sustained individual excellence, while a ring can reach every player on a title roster.
Why it matters: The answer adds context to Fitzgerald's Canton honor after 17 NFL seasons. His career combined elite production with one Super Bowl appearance but no championship.
By the numbers: Fitzgerald finished with 1,432 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards, both second in NFL history, plus 121 touchdown catches. He added 30 catches, 546 yards and seven touchdowns during the 2008 postseason.
What to watch: His Canton legacy will pair those career totals with the championship run that stopped one win short.