Arizona Cardinals

"Chicago Cardinals" and "St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)" redirect here. For the Continental Indoor Football League team based in Villa Park, see Chicago Cardinals (CIFL). For the Major League Baseball team, see St. Louis Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals
Current season
Established 1898 Play in University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Arizona Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona
Helmet Logo
League/conference affiliations
National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933–1949) American Conference (1950–1952) Eastern Conference (1953–1969) Century Division (1967–1969) National Football Conference (1970–present) NFC East (1970–2001) NFC West (2002–present)
Current uniform
Team colors	Cardinal, White, Black
Mascot	Big Red
Personnel
Owner(s)	Bill Bidwill
Chairman	Bill Bidwill
President	Michael Bidwill
General manager	Rod Graves
Head coach	Ken Whisenhunt
Team history
Morgan Athletic Club (1898–1919) Chicago Cardinals (1920–1943) Card-Pitt (1944) Chicago Cardinals (1945–1959) St. Louis Cardinals (1960–1987) Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993) Arizona Cardinals (1994–present)
Team nicknames
The Cards, The Birds, Big Red, The Buzzsaw, Cardiac Cards
Championships
League championships (2) NFL Championships (2) 1925, 1947
Conference championships (1) NFC: 2008
Division championships (6) NFL West: 1947, 1948 NFC East: 1974, 1975 NFC West: 2008, 2009
Playoff appearances (8)
NFL: 1947, 1948, 1974, 1975, 1982, 1998, 2008, 2009
Home fields
Since 1920 Normal Park (1920 –1921), (1926–1928) Comiskey Park (1922–1925), (1929–1958) Soldier Field (1959 4 games) Metropolitan Stadium (1959 2 games) Busch Stadium (1960–1965) Busch Memorial Stadium (1966–1987) Sun Devil Stadium (1988–2005) University of Phoenix Stadium (2006–present)

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The Cardinals were founded in 1898, and are the oldest continuously run professional American football club in the United States.^[1]

The team was established in Chicago in 1898 and was a charter member of the NFL in 1920. Along with the Chicago Bears, the club is one of two NFL charter member franchises still in operation since the league's founding. (The Green Bay Packers were an independent team until they joined the NFL in 1921). The club moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960 and played in that city through 1987 (sometimes referred to as the "Football Cardinals" and / or the "Big Red" to avoid confusion with the Major League Baseball St. Louis Cardinals). Other less commonly used nicknames were the "Gridbirds" (used only by a local newspaper columnist) or "Cardiac Cards" (used only to refer to the 1975 team) Before the 1988 NFL season, the team moved to Tempe, Arizona, a college town suburb of Phoenix, and played their home games for the next 18 years at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium. In 2006, the club began playing all home games at the newly constructed University of Phoenix Stadium in the northwestern suburb of Glendale.

The franchise has two NFL championships, both while it was based in Chicago. The first occurred in 1925, but is the subject of controversy, with supporters of the Pottsville Maroons believing that Pottsville should have gotten the title. Their second title, and the first to be received through a championship game, came in 1947, two decades before the first Super Bowl game was played. In the six-plus decades since winning the championship in 1947, the team suffered many losing seasons. They have been to the playoffs six times and have won six playoff games, three of which were victories during their run in the 2008-09 NFL Playoffs. During that season, they reached Super Bowl XLIII. The team has also won four division titles (1974, 1975, 2008, and 2009) since their 1947–1948 NFL championship game appearances. In addition, the club won one NFC Championship Game in 2008.

The Cardinals conduct their annual summer training camp at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Franchise history

Main article: History of the Arizona Cardinals

Logo and uniforms

Arizona Cardinals uniform combinations

Arizona Cardinals uniform: 1989–1995

Arizona Cardinals uniform: 1996–2004

The team has used cardinal red jerseys since Chris O'Brien bought them for the club in 1898. For most of their history, the Cardinals have used the same basic uniform design of white helmets, white pants with red stripes on the sides, and either red or white jerseys.

Chicago Cardinals logo.

Starting in 1947, the team had a logo of a cardinal bird perched on the stitches of a football. However, the club did not attach a logo to their helmets until they debuted a cardinal-head logo in 1960, the year the franchise moved from Chicago to St. Louis. The Cardinals moved to Arizona in 1988, and the flag of Arizona was added to the sleeves the following year. In 1990, the team began wearing red pants with their white jerseys.

In 1994, the Cardinals participated in the NFL's 75th anniversary throwback uniform program. The jerseys were similar to those of the 1920s Chicago Cardinals, with an interlocking "CC" logo and three stripes on each sleeve. The uniform numbers were relocated to the right chest. The pants were khaki to simulate the color and material used in that era. The Cardinals also stripped the logos from their helmets for the two games, at Cleveland (Sept. 18) and home vs. Pittsburgh (Oct. 30).

In 2005, the team unveiled its first major changes in a century. The cardinal-head logo was updated to be a more aggressive version of its predecessor, making it look meaner. Numerous fans had called the previous version a "parakeet".^[2] Black again became an accent color after an eight-year absence, while trim lines were added to the outside shoulders, sleeves, and sides of the jerseys and pants. Both the red and white jerseys have the option of red or white pants.

Hoping to break a six-game losing streak, the Cardinals wore the red pants for the first time on October 29, 2006, in a game at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers won 31–14, and the Cards headed into their bye week with a 1–7 mark. Following the bye week, the Cardinals came out in an all-red combination at home against the Dallas Cowboys and lost, 27–10. Arizona did not wear the red pants for the remainder of the season and won four of their last seven games. However, the following season, in 2007, the Cardinals again wore their red pants for their final 3 home games. They wore red pants with white jerseys in games on the road at the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks. They paired red pants with red jerseys, the all-red combination, for home games against the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and St. Louis Rams. The red pants were not worn at all in 2008, but they were used in home games vs. Seattle, Minnesota, and St. Louis in 2009. They have yet to be paired with the white road jerseys since the 2007 game at Seattle.

The Cardinals' first home game in Arizona, in 1988, saw them play in red jerseys. Thereafter, for the next 18 years in Arizona, the Cardinals, like a few other NFL teams in warm climates, wore their white jerseys at home during the first half of the season—forcing opponents to suffer in darker-colored jerseys during Arizona autumns that frequently see temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C). However, this tradition did not continue when the Cardinals moved from Sun Devil Stadium to University of Phoenix Stadium in 2006, as early-season games (and most other home games late in the season) were played with the roof closed. With the temperature inside at a comfortable 70°F (21°C), the team opted wear red jerseys at home full-time. The Cardinals wore white jerseys at home for the first time in University of Phoenix Stadium on August 29, 2008, in a preseason game against the Denver Broncos.

The Cardinals wore white at home for the first time in a regular season game at University of Phoenix Stadium against the Houston Texans on October 11, 2009. In October 2009, the NFL recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and players wore pink-accented items, including gloves, wristbands, and shoes. The team thought the pink accents looked better with white uniforms than with red.^[3]

The 2010 season saw the Cardinals debut a new, alternate black jersey. Prior to its introduction, the Cardinals were the only NFL team without an alternate jersey or throwback kit, save for the NFL's 75th anniversary program in 1994.^[4]

Season-by-season records

Main article: List of Arizona Cardinals seasons

Single-season records

Points Scored: 427 (2008)

Passing

• Passing Yards: 4,614 Neil Lomax (1984)
• Passing Touchdowns: 30 Kurt Warner (2008)
• Passes Completed: 401 Kurt Warner (2008)
• Passes Attempted: 598 Kurt Warner (2008)
• Longest Completed Pass Thrown: 98 Yards Doug Russell (1932) / Ogden Compton (1957) / Jim Hart (1972)
• Consecutive Games With a Touchdown Pass: 22 Kurt Warner (2007–2008)

Rushing

• Rushing Yards: 1,605 Ottis Anderson (1979)
• Rushing Attempts: 337 Edgerrin James (2006)
• Rushing Touchdowns: 14 John David Crow (1962)
• Rushing Touchdowns (Rookie): 10 Tim Hightower (2008)
• Longest Rushing Attempt: 83 yards John David Crow (1958)
• Rushing Yards Per Game: 100.3 yards Ottis Anderson (1979)

Receiving

• Receptions: 103 Larry Fitzgerald (2005)
• Receiving Yards: 1,598 David Boston (2001)
• Receiving Touchdowns: 15 Sonny Randle (1960)

Returns

• Punt Returns in a Season: 44 Vai Sikahema (1987)
• Longest Punt Returns: 102 yards Larod Stephens-Howling (2010)

Kicking

• Field Goals: 40* Jay Feely (2005)
• Extra Points Made: 53 Pat Harder (1948)

* NFL Record

Cardinals career records

• Passing Yards: 34,639 Jim Hart (1966–1983)
• Passing Touchdowns: 209 Jim Hart (1966–1983)
• Rushing Yards: 7,999 Ottis Anderson (1979–1986)
• Receptions: 613 Larry Fitzgerald (2004–2010)
• Receiving Yards: 8,497 Roy Green (1979–1990)
• Pass Interceptions: 52 Larry Wilson (1960–1972)
• Field Goals Made: 282 Jim Bakken (1962–1978)
• Points: 1,380 Jim Bakken (1962–1978)
• Total Touchdowns: 70 Roy Green (1979–1990)
• Punt Return Average: 13.7 Charley Trippi (1947–1955)
• Kickoff Return Average: 28.5 Ollie Matson (1952, 1954–1958)
• Punting Average: 44.9 Jerry Norton (1959–1961)
• Sacks: 66.5 Freddie Joe Nunn (1985–1993)

Players of note

Current roster

Arizona Cardinals rosterview · talk · edit
Quarterbacks  2 Richard Bartel  4 Kevin Kolb 19 John Skelton Running Backs 45 Reagan Maui'a FB 35 Anthony Sherman FB 46 Alfonso Smith 36 LaRod Stephens-Howling KR 29 Chester Taylor 26 Beanie Wells Wide Receivers 85 Early Doucet 11 Larry Fitzgerald 12 Andre Roberts 89 DeMarco Sampson 17 Chansi Stuckey 18 Stephen Williams Tight Ends 81 Jim Dray 86 Todd Heap 84 Rob Housler 87 Jeff King		Offensive Linemen 74 D'Anthony Batiste T 73 Jeremy Bridges T 75 Levi Brown T 71 Daryn Colledge G 70 Rex Hadnot G/C 72 Brandon Keith T 76 Deuce Lutui G 63 Lyle Sendlein C Defensive Linemen 93 Calais Campbell DE 79 David Carter NT 90 Darnell Dockett DE 98 Nick Eason DE 91 Vonnie Holliday DE 92 Dan Williams NT		Linebackers 94 Sam Acho OLB/DE 52 Stewart Bradley ILB 53 Clark Haggans OLB 51 Paris Lenon ILB 55 Joey Porter OLB 50 O'Brien Schofield OLB/DE 56 Reggie Walker ILB 58 Daryl Washington ILB Defensive Backs 23 Hamza Abdullah SS 27 Michael Adams CB 37 Sean Considine SS 20 A. J. Jefferson CB 49 Rashad Johnson FS 31 Richard Marshall CB 21 Patrick Peterson CB/PR 25 Kerry Rhodes FS 24 Adrian Wilson SS Special Teams  3 Jay Feely K 82 Mike Leach LS  9 Dave Zastudil P		Reserve Lists 22 Crezdon Butler CB (IR)  6 Max Hall QB (IR) 38 Andrew Rich SS/FS (Left Squad) 28 Greg Toler CB (IR) 34 Ryan Williams RB (IR) 78 Floyd Womack G (IR) Practice Squad 62 Ryan Bartholomew C 30 Marshay Green CB 83 Jaymar Johnson WR 32 Korey Lindsey CB 44 Steve Skelton TE 54 Quan Sturdivant ILB 96 Ronald Talley DE 67 D. J. Young OT Rookies in italics Roster updated November 16, 2011 Depth Chart • Transactions 53 Active, 6 Inactive, 8 Practice Squad → More rosters
AFC East: BUF  · MIA  · NE  · NYJ • North: BAL  · CIN  · CLE  · PIT • South: HOU  · IND  · JAC  · TEN • West: DEN  · KC  · OAK  · SD NFC East: DAL  · NYG  · PHI  · WAS • North: CHI  · DET  · GB  · MIN • South: ATL  · CAR  · NO  · TB • West: ARI  · STL  · SF  · SEA

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Chicago Cardinals

• Charles Bidwill, team owner
• 1 Jimmy Conzelman, QB-CB, head coach
• 1 John "Paddy" Driscoll, QB-S-K-P, head coach
• 2 Walt Kiesling, G-DT, head coach
• 4 Ernie Nevers, RB-S
• 13 Guy Chamberlin, TE-DE
• 33 Ollie Matson, RB
• 62 Charley Trippi, RB-QB
• 81 Dick "Night Train" Lane, CB

St. Louis Cardinals

• 8 Larry Wilson, S
• 22 Roger Wehrli, CB
• 72 Dan Dierdorf, OT
• 81 Jackie Smith, TE

Retired numbers

• 8 Larry Wilson (St. Louis)
• 40 Pat Tillman (Arizona)
• 77 Stan Mauldin (Chicago)
• 88 J. V. Cain (St. Louis)
• 99 Marshall Goldberg (Chicago)

Ring of Honor

See also: St. Louis Football Ring of Fame and Ring of Honor (disambiguation)

The Cardinals' Ring of Honor was started in 2006 to mark the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium. It honors former Cardinal greats from all eras of the franchise's history. Following is a list of inductees and the dates that they were inducted.

• Charles Bidwill, Owner (August 12, 2006)
• Jimmy Conzelman, Coach (August 12, 2006)
• Dan Dierdorf, T (October 16, 2006)
• John "Paddy" Driscoll, QB (August 12, 2006)
• Marshall Goldberg, HB (August 12, 2006)
• Dick "Night Train" Lane, DB (August 12, 2006)
• Ollie Matson, HB (August 12, 2006)
• Ernie Nevers, FB (August 12, 2006)
• Charley Trippi, HB/QB (August 12, 2006)
• Roger Wehrli, CB (October 14, 2007)
• Larry Wilson, S (September 10, 2006)
• Pat Tillman, S (November 12, 2006)
• Aeneas Williams, CB (November 9, 2008)

First-round draft picks

Further information: List of Arizona Cardinals first-round draft picks

Current staff

Arizona Cardinals staffv · d · e
	Front Office Owner/Chairman – Bill Bidwill President – Michael Bidwill General Manager – Rod Graves Director of Football Administration – Reggie Terry Director of Player Personnel – Steve Keim Director of Pro Personnel – T. J. McCreight Assistant Director of Pro Personnel – Quentin Harris Head Coaches Head Coach – Ken Whisenhunt Assistant Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line – Russ Grimm Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator – Mike Miller Quarterbacks – Chris Miller Running Backs – Tommie Robinson Wide Receivers – John McNulty Tight Ends – Freddie Kitchens Offensive Quality Control – Chad Grimm			Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Ray Horton Defensive Line – Ron Aiken Linebackers – Matt Raich Defensive Backs – Louie Cioffi Assistant Defensive Backs – Deshea Townsend Defensive Quality Control – Ryan Slowik Special Teams Coaches Special Teams – Kevin Spencer Strength and Conditioning Strength and Conditioning – John Lott Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Pete Alosi → Coaching Staff → Management → More NFL staffs
AFC East: BUF  · MIA  · NE  · NYJ • North: BAL  · CIN  · CLE  · PIT • South: HOU  · IND  · JAC  · TEN • West: DEN  · KC  · OAK  · SD NFC East: DAL  · NYG  · PHI  · WAS • North: CHI  · DET  · GB  · MIN • South: ATL  · CAR  · NO  · TB • West: ARI  · STL  · SF  · SEA

Radio and television

The Cardinals' flagship radio station was KMVP, "ESPN Radio 860." KMVP assumed the broadcast rights in 2006 after many years on KSLX-FM and KDUS. Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley, and Paul Calvisi handle the radio broadcast. Most preseason games are televised on KNXV, channel 15, the local ABC affiliate. Rich Cellini and Glenn Parker are the TV announcers.

On New Year's Day 2007, KMVP began a simulcast of KTAR, which switched to an all-sports format (the news/talk station became 92.3, KTAR-FM). For the 2007 season, KTAR was the official flagship station; however, some broadcasts were also heard on 92.3 FM because of conflicts with Arizona Diamondbacks baseball games on 620 AM.

Radio Affiliaties

Cardinals Radio Affiliates

City	Call Sign	Frenquency
Phoenix, Arizona	KTAR-AM	620 AM
Phoenix, Arizona	KTAR-FM	92.3 FM
Safford, Arizona	KATO-AM	1230 AM
Sedona, Arizona	KAZM-AM	780 AM
Albuquerque, New Mexico	KDEF-AM	1150 AM
Lake Havasu City, Arizona	KNTR-AM	980 AM
Prescott, Arizona	KQNA-AM	1130 AM
Prescott, Arizona	KDDL-FM	94.3 FM
Flagstaff, Arizona	KVNA-AM	600 AM
Holbrook, Arizona	KZUA-FM	92.1 FM
Yuma, Arizona	KBLU-AM	560 AM
Springerville, Arizona	KRVZ-AM	1400 AM
Miami, Arizona	KIKO-AM	1340 AM
Tucson, Arizona	KCUB-AM	1290 AM
Kingman, Arizona	KGMN-FM	100.1 FM

Miscellaneous

Due to Phoenix's high temperature and strong sunshine in early September, eight of the team's first 13 home openers in Arizona were held, at earliest, in week three. In 1990 and 1991, the Cardinals opened with three consecutive road games before finally coming home in week four. For the same reason, the team's home opener was a nationally-televised night game (two Monday Night Football games and 12 Sunday Night Football games) from 1988 to 2001. The team hosted ten straight home openers as Sunday Night Football games from 1989 to 1998.

Notes and references

1. ^ Arizona Cardinals team history, azcardinals.com
2. ^ "Arizona brushes up logo of outdated bird", MSNBC.com January 29, 2005
3. ^ http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/KentSomers/66308
4. ^ "There’s No Service Like Wire Service, Vol. 6". http://www.uniwatchblog.com/. Retrieved 2010-02-22. 

Further reading

• Ziemba, Joe (2010). When Football Was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL. Chicago: Triumph Books ISBN 1-57243-317-5

External links

• Arizona Cardinals official web site
• Sports E-Cyclopedia.com
• Cardinals coverage on The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com
• Arizona Cardinals News Updates
• Arizona Cardinals Skins

Preceded by Cleveland Bulldogs 1924	NFL Champions Chicago Cardinals 1925	Succeeded by Frankford Yellow Jackets 1926
Preceded by Chicago Bears 1946	NFL Champions Chicago Cardinals 1947	Succeeded by Philadelphia Eagles 1948 & 1949