- 1988
- 1990
- 1991
- 1993
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Cardinals Relocate to Phoenix
Not long after the 1987 season, Bidwill agreed to move to the Phoenix area on a handshake deal with state and local officials, and the team became the Phoenix Cardinals. They planned to play at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on a temporary basis while a new stadium was being built. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the savings ... -
The Cardinals hire Joe Bugel as their new head coach
In 1990: The Cardinals hire Joe Bugel as their new head coach. They draft safety Aeneas Williams in the third round and linebacker Eric Hill in the first round. They regress to a 5-11 record and rank last in the league in scoring offense. -
Eric Swann – first player from a semi-pro league to be drafted in the NFL
In 1991: The Cardinals draft defensive end Eric Swann in the first round, making him the first player from a semi-pro league to be drafted in the NFL. They also sign free-agent quarterback Chris Chandler. They finish with a 4-12 record and rank last in the league in total defense. -
The Cardinals change their name from the Phoenix Cardinals to the Arizona Cardinals
In 1993: The Cardinals change their name from the Phoenix Cardinals to the Arizona Cardinals, representing the entire state rather than just the city. They draft running back Garrison Hearst in the first round and wide receiver Ricky Proehl in the third round. They also sign free agent quarterback Steve Bono from the San Francisco 49ers. They finish with a ...
History of the Cardinals
The Phoenix Cardinals are among the oldest National Football League (NFL) teams. Founded in 1920, they were initially known as the Racine Cardinals and later changed their name to become part of a larger organization. The team has had many ups and downs, but it is essential to professional football today.
In 1988, after years away from Arizona, owner Bill Bidwill moved his franchise back home to Phoenix. This move marked a new era for the team that fans now nicknamed “the Big Red” due to their signature red uniforms with white accents. During this period, they made several playoff appearances, including two NFC Championship games under head coach Dennis Green in 1998 and 2008, respectively, before eventually being eliminated both times from Super Bowl contention by Brett Favre's Green Bay Packers squad.
Since moving back home, however, there have been some difficult times for this storied franchise which include only four winning seasons since 2004, along with three different head coaches during that span as well (Ken Whisenhunt 2007-2012; Bruce Arians 2013-2017; Steve Wilks 2018). Despite these struggles, ownership remains committed to building a championship-caliber roster through free agency acquisitions such as Chandler Jones, Patrick Peterson, David Johnson & Larry Fitzgerald, who all remain critical contributors on offense/defense even today.
Overall while there may be bumps along the way, The Phoenix Cardinal's story is still very much alive & kicking within NFL circles, thanks primarily to due diligence displayed by ownership towards ensuring quality personnel decisions are made year after year regardless of wins or losses come out on top at season’s end or not!
Cardinals Products
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 - The Phoenix Cardinals are one of the most iconic teams in NFL history, and their nickname has a long and exciting origin story. The team was originally founded as the Chicago Cardinals in 1898, making them one of the oldest franchises in American professional sports. In 1960, they moved to St Louis, where they were known as the St Louis Football Cardinals until 1987 when they relocated again - this time to Arizona - becoming known as simply “the Cards” or sometimes “Big Red” due to their red uniforms.
In 1994 however, with new ownership came a name change: from then on out, it would be known officially (and unofficially) by its current moniker; The Phoenix Cardinals! This was an homage to Arizona's state bird – found on their logo – and because of how much fire had been put into getting back up after being uprooted twice. It symbolized rebirth for this franchise and showed fans that there was still hope for success despite all odds stacked against them throughout history.
As you can see then, it took almost 100 years before we got what we know today — The Phoenix Cards — but since that fateful day back in 1994, these two words have become synonymous with great football moments over decades gone by, and many more yet come! So next time you hear someone mention those two words together, remember why: Because no matter how hard life might get... There's always something worth fighting for!
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
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
