Yes, yes, John McCain isn't our favorite either. But we're going big picture here, people.

2017 was the year the NFL decided, "Our stadiums are too crowded. Let's thin the heard out a bit by embracing social justice warriors." I don't know why people expected the NFL to solve all our societal ills when they can't agree on what a legal catch is. Or what constitutes a touchdown... if the opposing team is playing against the Patriots (see Report: NFL to Bribe Kneeling Players with $89 Million and GQ Picks Colin Kaepernick for 2017 Citizen of the Year). I'm surprised fantasy leagues didn't start awarding points for kneeling like they do for receptions.

In a mass heard of suck, when an NFL player shows integrity, it stands out.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid tribute to Senator John McCain for Christmas. Specifically, the number of Christmases for which he was a POW. Yes, I know John McCain isn't our favorite either. We're going for the big picture here:

As I’ve gotten older, giving at Christmas has become more significant for me—and more fun—than receiving. When I think about Christmas, and I think about Senator McCain, I think of giving.

The sacrifices John McCain has made for our country, and especially the men and women he served with in the military, are incredible. As a prisoner of war in Vietnam he missed six Christmases with his family back home and suffered unbelievable hardship. Yet most people don’t realize that he could have gotten out of that prisoner of war camp four years earlier than he did because his father was a high-ranking military commander. However, he refused to be freed until all the men captured before him were released. That is true heroism and bravery. He gave so much in the service of his country, and that commitment to service continued as he was elected to Congress in the 1980s.

I’m not much of a political guy, but I am fascinated with history and in particular learning about the impact war has had on so many lives. I knew a few things about the senator just from playing in Arizona and getting to know him over the years. He is also an avid Cardinals fan and attends our games and practices from time to time, so our relationship has grown throughout my career.

The left will attack this for all the times they disagreed with how McCain voted. The right will attack this...for all the times they disagreed with how McCain voted.

While most of the NFL this past year can rot, it's refreshing to see one of their top stars cut through the politics. Especially when Larry Fitzgerald always seemed like a solid dude to begin with. If the NFL had more patriots than pansies, perhaps their ratings wouldn't be in negative numbers like some cold, frigid tundra. Not to be confused with Hillary's icy glare.

Though while on the topic of torture...

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