Although Larry Fitzgerald grew up in Minnesota and played college ball at Pittsburgh, he’s been an Arizona Cardinal for nearly 15 years, so his heart resides in the desert and the people there.

When the future Hall of Fame wide receiver learned that 79-year-old Joe Casella, the owner of Casella’s Italian Delicatessen in Scottsdale, Arizona, was dying, he made sure to utilize his Tuesday off to help the man who started and ran the 42-year-old business.

Fitzgerald announced on Twitter that he would be fitting the bill at the deli for all customers on Tuesday afternoon in exchange for donations to help the Casella family out.

 

 

“Joe and his family are such a big part of the community and a true example of a family run restaurant that cares about their neighbors and community,” Fitzgerald said. “When I met Joe and his family, I saw something special, the same thing customers see when they meet the Casella family, people who truly care about their neighbors and know their customers on a personal level, and if they don’t know you yet, they do when you come in and they don’t forget.”

The line was out the door, and Casella’s wife, Tina, said that the gesture by Fitzgerald and others in the community touched the entire family.

“Joe touched so many lives during his 42 years of owning this shop,” she said in a statement. “Now it’s an incredible feeling to see the community rallying around him and the good he stands for.”

 

 

Fitzgerald’s teammates D.J. Foster and Christian Kirk stopped by as well to visit with patrons since they attended high school about a mile away from the deli, and consider the Casellas friends.

For those who were unable to make it on Tuesday and still want to donate to the cause, you can send a check to the restaurant at 5905 N Granite Reef Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona, 85250.