http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7...a-espn-magazine?awid=7390351529921378196-5229
"I try to help with whatever cause I can," Fitzgerald says. "But if it's Q asking, I try harder."
Although he is arguably the best wide receiver of his generation, Fitzgerald routinely defers to Boldin, who may be the toughest. (Boldin's face was broken in a much-YouTubed 2008 helmet-to-helmet collision with the Jets' Eric Smith. He was back in action three weeks later, plates, pins and all.) Boldin, meanwhile, relishes any chance to tease his friend. On the final night of their visit, the two are slated for a series of fan chats on OxfamAmerica.org. Before the question and answer begins, Boldin reminisces about a time when Fitzgerald, feeling confident after a good workout, challenged his mentor to wrestle. As Boldin tells the story -- which ends with Fitzgerald in a headlock -- his former teammate corrects some details but otherwise nods in agreement. When Boldin finishes, Fitzgerald suggests an immediate rematch. Boldin's wife, Dionne, rolls her eyes. "They're like this all the time," she says.
They've been close since 2004, when Boldin, in his second season, mentored Fitzgerald, the third overall pick in that year's draft. Their friendship has survived Boldin's 2010 trade to the Ravens, not to mention polar-opposite personalities. Fitzgerald, 28, is everyone's best friend -- charming, gregarious and generous with smiles. The 31-year-old Boldin, meanwhile, is reserved, suspicious of strangers and gruff to the point of self-parody. "I've got too many friends," he says. "I'm trying to lose some."
Good stuff!
"I try to help with whatever cause I can," Fitzgerald says. "But if it's Q asking, I try harder."
Although he is arguably the best wide receiver of his generation, Fitzgerald routinely defers to Boldin, who may be the toughest. (Boldin's face was broken in a much-YouTubed 2008 helmet-to-helmet collision with the Jets' Eric Smith. He was back in action three weeks later, plates, pins and all.) Boldin, meanwhile, relishes any chance to tease his friend. On the final night of their visit, the two are slated for a series of fan chats on OxfamAmerica.org. Before the question and answer begins, Boldin reminisces about a time when Fitzgerald, feeling confident after a good workout, challenged his mentor to wrestle. As Boldin tells the story -- which ends with Fitzgerald in a headlock -- his former teammate corrects some details but otherwise nods in agreement. When Boldin finishes, Fitzgerald suggests an immediate rematch. Boldin's wife, Dionne, rolls her eyes. "They're like this all the time," she says.
They've been close since 2004, when Boldin, in his second season, mentored Fitzgerald, the third overall pick in that year's draft. Their friendship has survived Boldin's 2010 trade to the Ravens, not to mention polar-opposite personalities. Fitzgerald, 28, is everyone's best friend -- charming, gregarious and generous with smiles. The 31-year-old Boldin, meanwhile, is reserved, suspicious of strangers and gruff to the point of self-parody. "I've got too many friends," he says. "I'm trying to lose some."
Good stuff!
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