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Arizona Cardinals Team History

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Arizona Cardinals




  • 1994
  • 1998
  • 2006
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • Arizona Cardinals 1994

    Name Change to Arizona Cardinals

    In March 1994, Bill Bidwill renamed the team the Arizona Cardinals due to fan preference, Bidwill had initially resisted the name “Arizona Cardinals” due to the NFL’s tradition of team names that identified home cities, although the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots were longstanding exceptions and the Carolina Panthers were set to start to play the following year. The ...
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  • Arizona Cardinals 1998

    The team makes the playoffs as a wild card team

    In 1998: The team makes the playoffs for the first time since 1982 as a wild card team, and wins its first postseason game since 1947, upsetting the Dallas Cowboys 20-7 in the first round. The team loses to the Minnesota Vikings 41-21 in the divisional round.
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  • University of Phoenix Stadium

    New Glendale Stadium

    In 2000, Maricopa County voters passed a ballot initiative by a margin of 51% to 49%, providing funding for a new Cardinals stadium as well as for improvements to Major League Baseball spring training facilities in the greater Phoenix region; and youth recreation. After some legal obstacles, the Cardinals began construction of their new facility in April 2003, in Glendale, ...
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  • Arizona Cardinals 2008 NFC West title

    The team wins its first NFC West title and makes a surprising run to Super Bowl XLIII

    In 2008: The team wins its first NFC West title and makes a surprising run to Super Bowl XLIII, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 30-24, the Carolina Panthers 33-13, and the Philadelphia Eagles 32-25 in the playoffs. The team loses to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23 in a thrilling Super Bowl that features a game-winning touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes with 35 ...
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  • Arizona Cardinals 2009 NFC West title

    The team repeats as NFC West champions

    In 2009: The team repeats as NFC West champions and reaches the divisional round of the playoffs, where it loses to the New Orleans Saints 45-14.
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  • Kurt Warner

    Kurt Warner Elected in Cardinals Ring of Honor

    Kurt Warner (Quarterback): Warner was the leader of the most successful era in Cardinals history. He played for the team from 2005 to 2009, making two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team. He led the Cardinals to their first division title, first conference championship, and first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. He threw for a record-tying five touchdowns against ...
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  • Arizona Cardinals 2015

    The team wins its second NFC West title

    In 2015: The team wins its second NFC West title and advances to the conference championship game for the second time in franchise history, defeating the Green Bay Packers 26-20 in overtime in the divisional round. The team loses to the Carolina Panthers 49-15 in the conference championship game.
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History of the Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are one of the oldest teams in the NFL. Founded as an independent professional football team in 1898, they joined the National Football League (NFL) as a charter member in 1920 and have played ever since. The Cardinals are based in Glendale, Arizona, and play their home games at State Farm Stadium.

Throughout their history, the Cardinals have experienced highs and lows; however, they remain one of only two original NFL franchises to never relocate or change cities since joining over 100 years ago! They’ve also earned multiple division titles throughout those years, including three NFC West crowns from 2008-2009 through 2015-2016.

In addition to having some success on the field during regular season play, there were several impressive postseason runs for this franchise, too – most notably when they reached Super Bowl XLIII during Kurt Warner’s tenure with them from 2005–2009, where he led them all way to a 27–23 victory over Pittsburgh Steelers for first championship title ever won by any professional sports team located within state limits! This was followed up by another playoff appearance just two seasons later when Larry Fitzgerald helped lead his squad back into playoffs after missing out a previous year due to injury troubles that plagued the entire roster throughout the 2011 campaign culminating with an eventual loss against the Green Bay Packers Divisional Round game held Lambeau Field January 2012.

Today's current roster is filled with talented players such as Kyler Murray, who is looking to continue building upon successes achieved last season, while veterans like Chandler Jones look to provide the leadership needed to take the next step towards becoming perennial contenders again future upcoming campaigns under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury in whom many fans believe can bring much-needed spark offense has lacked past few seasons despite solid defensive performances consistently delivered each time takes the field every Sunday afternoon come fall time around the corner once again…only thing left now see if will finally pay off dividends desired by a faithful fan base which has stuck behind beloved birds thick thin no matter what happens along way long journey ahead us all together here 2020 edition Arizona Cardinal Football Club!.

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Established
1920

City
Chicago - St. Louis - Phoenix

League History
1920 – Present / National Football League

Team History
1994 - Present / Arizona Cardinals
1988 - 1993 / Phoenix Cardinals
1960 - 1987 / St. Louis Cardinals
1945 - 1959 / Chicago Cardinals
1944 / Card-Pitt
1920 - 1943 / Chicago Cardinals

Nickname
Cardinals - Sports fans nationwide know the Arizona National Football League (NFL) Cardinals. But do you know how they got their nickname? The history behind this iconic team’s name is an interesting one.

The franchise was founded in 1898 as a semi-professional football team, Morgan Athletic Club, based in Chicago, Illinois. In 1901, it became known as Racine Normals due to its location in Racine, Wisconsin, and then changed its name again to become the Cardinal Athletic Club in 1902 when it moved back to Chicago. It wasn’t until 1922 that they finally settled on “Cardinals” for their official nickname when legendary coach Chris O'Brien purchased used jerseys from the University of Chicago, which were bright red with navy blue trim – resembling a cardinal bird!

In 1960, following decades of success at home and abroad throughout professional football leagues such as the NFL and AFL (American Football League), owner Bill Bidwill moved his beloved Cardinals from St Louis down south into Phoenix, Arizona, where they remain today. Although many things have changed since then, including names, stadiums & ownerships - one thing has remained constant: The proud tradition & spirit embodied by this great organization who proudly wear red & white each Sunday during NFL season!

Championship
Super Bowl 0
NFL Championship 0
1947, 1925

Stadium
2019 - Present / State Farm Stadium
2006 - 2018 / University of Phoenix Stadium
1988 - 2005 / Sun Devil Stadium

*St. Louis*
1966 - 1987 / Busch Memorial Stadium
1960 - 1965 / Busch Stadium

*Chicago*
1959 / Soldier Field & Metropolitan Stadium
1922 - 1925, 1929 - 1958 / Comiskey Park
1920 - 1921, 1926 - 1928 / Normal Park

Owner
2019 - Present / Michael Bidwill
1972 - 2019 / Bill Bidwill
1962 - 1972 / Bill Bidwill and Charles Bidwill, Jr.
1947 - 1962 / Violet Bidwill Wolfner
1933 - 1947 / Charles Bidwill
1929 - 1933 / Dr. David Jones
1898 - 1929 / Chris O'Brien

Who is the greatest Arizona Cardinals?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

Retired Number
8 / Larry Wilson
40 / Pat Tillman
77 / Stan Mauldin
88 / J. V. Cain
99 / Marshall Goldberg

*Blue is this team’s history

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