Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald Pays Tribute to John McCain Back in July, Sen. John McCain was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Fitzgerald used this holiday season to honor McCain in a Sports Illustrated piece about McCain's experiences as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. "…he refused to be freed until all the men captured before him were released." "That is true heroism and bravery." Fitzgerald said McCain is an "avid Cardinals" fan and the two have become close throughout his NFL career. ""As soon as my boys are of age, I'll tell them stories about the quality of the man I've gotten to know.