Larry Fitzgerald shared an embrace with Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice before Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.
A few hours later, the Cardinals' star receiver moved near him again, but this time, it was on the NFL leaderboard.
A bubble screen reception in the fourth quarter gave Fitzgerald 1,326 catches in his career, which passed Tony Gonzalez for the second-most in NFL history. Rice leads the way with 1,549 catches in his illustrious career.
Fitzgerald wasn't in the mood to talk about his individual accomplishment after a loss that dropped the Cardinals to 0-3-1, but acknowledged that it was nice to have Rice in the building for it.
"Jerry's been kind to me, long before today," Fitzgerald said. "He used to come up and train with me in the offseason, teaching us all the nuances of route-running and pass-catching. I have a great relationship with him. I talk to him quite often about a lot of stuff that's not even related to football. Having him there, it's always great. He's been a wonderful mentor for a long time."
Fitzgerald finished the game with five catches for 47 yards. Even though the outcome had been decided when he surpassed Gonzalez, the crowd still cheered loudly when Fitzgerald made the catch and serenaded him with the 'Lar-ry' chant that has reverberated around State Farm Stadium so often.
Fitzgerald is also second all-time in receiving yards with 16,579, but that's still more than 6,000 behind Rice for No. 1 in history. Rice penned an Instagram post before the game calling Fitzgerald the greatest of all time. When that was relayed to Fitzgerald, he chuckled quietly.
"That's pretty special to get that from the actual, real GOAT," Fitzgerald said. "I guess when you are the GOAT, it's easy to call somebody else the GOAT, right? But he's the best of all-time. I got a real nice message earlier from Tony Gonzalez, too, who is arguably the best tight end to ever play the game. To have your name mentioned with those guys, it's truly an honor."
KIRK GETS INJURED LATE
Wide receiver Christian Kirk got his leg caught up under him after a reception late in the game, and when it was over a few minutes later, he walked gingerly to the locker room with the help of two trainers.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury didn't have an update on Kirk's status after the game. He finished with four catches for 37 yards, and any missed time would be a big blow. The Cardinals were already down to five receivers in the contest, as Damiere Byrd (hamstring) couldn't play and Michael Crabtree was cut Monday.
Defensive end Zach Allen (shoulder) and inside linebacker Dennis Gardeck (ankle) were also injured in the contest.
KEVIN PETERSON JOINS THE ROTATION ON DEFENSE
Cornerback Kevin Peterson replaced Chris Jones in nickel situations in the second half, playing on the outside with Tramaine Brock in the slot.
Peterson was added via waiver claim from the Rams before the season began. Kingsbury said the Cardinals were comfortable putting him on the field now that he's had a few weeks to learn the defensive scheme.
"We felt like coming in he was a talented player," Kingsbury said. "(He has) great cover skills and he's just understanding our system now. I expect his reps to go up."
Images from the Week 4 matchup at State Farm Stadium
RB David Johnson finds some room to run.
Cardinals safety Budda Baker (32) leads teammates onto the field prior an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
OLB Terrell Suggs celebrates his strip-sack
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson escapes from pressure by OLB Terrell Suggs
QB Kyler Murray whips a throw over the middle
Former Cardinals QB Carson Palmer (left) and Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice
Former Cardinals QB Carson Palmer catches up with WR Larry Fitzgerald before the game
Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
RB David Johnson with a big gain
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) eludes the reach of Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
WR Larry Fitzgerald (left) with Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice before the game
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods (72) pursues during the first half on Sunday.
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury watches his team prior an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seahawks outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) runs back an interception for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals offensive guard J.R. Sweezy (64) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (88) is tackled by Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) during the first half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green (98) pursues.
Cardinals running back David Johnson carries the ball against Seattle
Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) runs as Cardinals defensive end Jonathan Bullard goes in for the tackle
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) eludes the reach of Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94).
Cardinals free safety D.J. Swearinger (36) tackles Seahawks wide receiver Jaron Brown (18) during the first half.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll greets Russell Wilson after a touchdown pass during the first half.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (88) is tackled by Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to get through against the Seattle Seahawks.
Cardinals cornerback Kevin Peterson (27) breaks up a pass intended for Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) lines up against the Seattle Seahawks.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) makes the catch as Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) defends during the first half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in for a touchdown as Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) defends during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald catches his career 1,325 catch to tie Tony Gonzalez for second place on the all-time receptions list during the second half against the Seahawks.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches his career 1,325 catch to tie Tony Gonzalez for second place on the all-time receptions list during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scores a touchdown as Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner defends during the second half.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson takes the snap.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) as defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (99) pursues during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in a catch as Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers (21) defends during the second half.
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer watches as his names is added to the Cardinals' ring of honor at half time an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Fans unveil former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer's name in the Cardinals' ring of honor at half time an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) as defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (99) pursues.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (88) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tramaine Brock (20).
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches his career 1,326 catch to pass Tony Gonzalez for second place on the all-time receptions list during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) pursues during the second half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws against the Seahawks on Sunday.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) kneels on the turf after being tackled by Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green (98).
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray watch from the sideline.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is tackled by Seahawks cornerback Akeem King (36) and cornerback Ugo Amadi (28) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah defends during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches his career 1,326 catch to pass Tony Gonzalez for second place on the all-time receptions list during the second half against the Seahawks.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) meets Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after the game on Sunday. The Seahawks won 27-10.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, exchange jerseys after the game on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.
