Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald published a column celebrating the service of Arizona senator John McCain.

The tribute, published on Sports Illustrated this weekend, thanked the senator for his military service.

“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.”

McCain was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma and has been undergoing treatment. Recently, he was hospitalized due to the ill effects of his treatment. Fitzgerald considers the senator a “friend” and wished him a recovery.

“I’ll wish him a Merry Christmas today, and I pray he lives another 20 years,” Fitzgerald wrote. “I know this: As soon as my boys are of age, I’ll tell them stories about the quality of the man I’ve gotten to know. I’ll tell them: Senator John McCain will be revered and respected for as long as the United States of America has a place in this world, and his legacy will outlive us all.”

McCain tweeted his appreciate to Fitzgerald.

Thank you @LarryFitzgerald, I’m deeply touched. Thanks for all you do to give back to #Arizona & our nation. Merry Christmas! https://t.co/LD6L90p7n0 — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) December 25, 2017

The Cardinals are 7-8 and will miss the playoffs this season, but Fitzgerald has nonetheless amassed 1101 yards and 101 receptions.

John McCain has served in the senate since 1986.

Read Fitzgerald’s full letter here.