Larry Fitzgerald picks up customers' tabs to help terminally ill deli owner

Every customer who stopped by Casella's Italian Delicatessen in Scottsdale on Tuesday afternoon had their meal paid for by Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Joe Casella, who opened the deli with his wife Tina in 1977, has terminal cancer, according to KTAR News. Wanting to help Casella and his family in their time of need, Fitzgerald offered to pay for all orders from 12-5 p.m. and asked customers to make a donation.

Fitzgerald told ABC15 he developed a friendship with the family after visiting the deli several times over the years.

"Joe and his family are such a big part of the community and a true example of a family run restaurant that cares about their neighbors and community," he said. "When I met Joe and his family, I saw something special, the same thing customers see when they meet the Casella family, people who truly care about their neighbors and know their customers on a personal level, and if they don’t know you yet, they do when you come in and they don't forget."