ST. LOUIS -- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 1,000 catches in his career on Sunday in St. Louis.
The milestone came on his eighth reception in Arizona's 27-3 win over the Rams -- a 7-yard pass early in the fourth quarter. Fitzgerald hit the mark in 32 years, 97 days, faster than the previous record-holder, Andre Johnson, who reached 1,000 receptions in 33 years, 163 days.
Fitzgerald became the 11th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions. After Sunday's game, he's tied with Hines Ward for 10th on the all-time receptions list with 1,000.
The 32-year-old Fitzgerald downplayed the milestone.
"It's nice, it's nice," Fitzgerald said. "But it's even better to be able to have three consecutive seasons with 10 wins."
Fitzgerald also surpassed 1,000 yards Sunday for the first time since 2011. Heading into Thursday night's game against Minnesota, Fitzgerald sits at 1,047 yards for the season.
Fitzgerald made his 1,000th catch on the same field that he made his first. It was a 37-yard flea-flicker on the first play of Fitzgerald's first game, in Week 1 of the 2004 season against the Rams, over former Cardinals defensive back and Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams.
"Every time I see Aeneas, I always tease him about it," Fitzgerald said.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians made sure Fitzgerald got the record Sunday.
Arians told Fitzgerald they were going to feed him in the second half. Fitzgerald caught all five of his targets in the final two quarters to reach the 1,000-catch mark. He finished Sunday with eight catches on 11 targets for 55 yards.
"That is fantastic," Arians said.
Fitzgerald said he reached the milestone earlier than anyone else because he had a head start. Fitzgerald was drafted in 2004 at 20 years old but played his first game at 21. Johnson was 22 for his NFL debut while Jerry Rice, who was the third-youngest to reach 1,000 catches, turned 23 during his rookie season.
"I just got a quick jump on them," Fitzgerald said.
Sunday's record was just the latest addition to Fitzgerald's Hall of Fame-caliber career, but Fitzgerald has long downplayed any milestone's significance.
"The personal stuff, it's all good, but I've done all the personal stuff," Fitzgerald said. "That stuff is great.
"The only thing I really need personally for me -- I feel like my career's fulfilled -- is a championship. Each [win] just gets us a step closer, and that's what it's about."