In March 1994, the Cardinals were christened with a new name, the Arizona Cardinals. But there is nothing new about the oldest team in terms of continuous operation in pro football history. A charter member of the National Football League, the Cardinals trace their history back to 1898 when Chris O'Brien formed the Morgan Athletic Club. A few years later, he bought used jerseys from the University of Chicago. He described the faded maroon clothing as "Cardinal red" and the team, then playing at 61st and Racine Street, became the Racine Street Cardinals.
The American Professional Football Association, the direct forerunner of the NFL, began play in 1920. The Cardinals faced an immediate challenge for territorial rights in Chicago from a team named the Tigers, who joined the league after the organizational meeting on September 17. O'Brien and the Cardinals promptly challenged the Tigers to a game, with the losers to leave town. The Cardinals won the game and the franchise rights when the legendary Paddy Driscoll scored the only touchdown in a 6-0 victory.
Except for 1925, when they edged out the Pottsville Maroons for their first NFL championship, the Cardinals experienced only minimal success on the playing field during their first 26 seasons in the league. A Thanksgiving Day game in 1929 did produce an all-time highlight when the Cardinals' superstar running back, Ernie Nevers, scored all 40 points -- an NFL record that stands today -- in a 40-6 victory over the Chicago Bears.
The Cardinals began a continuous period of family ownership in 1932 when Charles W. Bidwill bought the team. His son, William V. Bidwill, now operates the team. Bidwill kept the Cardinals operating during the depression days of the 1930s and the World War II years of the early 1940s and then finally put together a winning unit just as the war ended. Bidwill's building program produced a team that won an NFL championship in 1947 and the NFL Western division title in 1948. The Cardinals' 28-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles for the 1947 championship stood as the team's last playoff victory until a 20-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the 1998 NFC Wildcard Game. The team's coach, Jimmy Conzelman, is now a member of the Hall of Fame as is Charley Trippi, a key member of the famed "Dream Backfield" that Bidwill fashioned. The unit also included Paul Christman, Pat Harder, Marshall Goldberg and Elmer Angsman when Goldberg moved to defense. In a cruel twist of fate, Bidwill died before seeing that team in action.
Since joining the NFL, the Cardinals have called three cities home. After 40 seasons in Chicago, they moved to St. Louis in 1960. The Cardinals seriously challenged the Cleveland Browns twice for divisional honors in the 1960s, but they fell one-half game short both in 1964 and 1968. For a time in the mid 1970s, the St. Louis Cardinals were serious championship challengers. They won NFC Eastern division championships in both 1974 and 1975 but lost in the first round of the playoffs each year. The franchise was moved for a second time in 1988 when William Bidwill selected Phoenix as the new home city, where they played at Sun Devil Stadium.
The Cardinals, who opened the state-of-the-art University of Phoenix Stadium in 2006, found instant success in their new home, winning multiple division titles and an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII.
FAQs
With 39 Hall of Famers, the Bears still own the most HOFs in the NFL. Here are all 40 members from the Bears franchise who are in the Hall of Fame, coaches included: Doug Atkins. George Blanda.
Are there any special teams players in the NFL Hall of Fame? ›
Special teams players in the Hall of Fame
There are two kickers (Morten Andersen and Jan Stenerud) and one punter (Ray Guy) in the Hall of Fame. Two other players who were placekickers, but also played other positions, are enshrined: George Blanda (who played quarterback) and Lou Groza (who played offensive tackle).
Why is Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio? ›
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio, for three primary reasons: (1) the American Professional Football Association, later renamed the National Football League, was founded in Canton on Sept. 17, 1920; (2) the Canton Bulldogs were an early pro football power, even before the days of the NFL.
Are there any NFL teams without a Hall of Famer? ›
Are there any NFL teams without a Hall of Famer? Currently, there are three teams in the NFL that do not have a Hall of Famer from their ranks. These three teams are the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and Houston Texans.
Who is the oldest NFL team? ›
The Cardinals are the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the United States, and, along with the Chicago Bears, are the only NFL charter member franchises still in operation. In 1960, the team moved to St.
Will Jason Kelce make the Hall of Fame? ›
Jason Kelce is one of the best centers in NFL history. The Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman is right up there with Jim Langer, Jim Otto, or Mike Webster, and his name will almost certainly join those legends in the Hall of Fame in 2029.
Has any NFL kicker made the Hall of Fame? ›
Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen are the only full-time kickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Stenerud got his call to the Hall in 1991 after playing 19 NFL seasons from 1966 to 1985: 13 with the Kansas City Chiefs, four with the Green Bay Packers and two with the Minnesota Vikings.
Who is the greatest return man in the NFL history? ›
Brian Mitchell is the all-time leader with 14,014 kickoff return yards over 14 seasons. He played for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants.
Which state is not home to an NFL team? ›
Some states are far too small and distant from major cities to ever land an NFL team of their own. These would include Vermont, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and others.
How much does it cost to get in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio? ›
Admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is approx. $45/person (less for kids). Open: Daily from Memorial Day – Labor Day from 9am to 8pm and 9-5 the rest of the year.
HOF Village LLC, owner of the sports, entertainment and media company surrounding the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, has gone public by combining with a publicly traded, special-purpose acquisition company.
Is Patrick Mahomes a future Hall of Famer? ›
So yeah, Mahomes is getting into the Hall of Fame if he retires today, and he's probably a first-ballot selection. If he leads the Chiefs to a win in Super Bowl LVIII, we can safely change probably into definitely.
What state has the most NFL Hall of Famers? ›
No state has more native-born players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame than the state of Texas.
Has any NFL MVP not made the Hall of Fame? ›
For the four major sports, the NBA has inducted every eligible MVP into the HOF. Not so in the other major sports. In MLB, multiple MVPs like Roger Maris and Dale Murphy are not in the HOF. In the NFL, lots of former MVPS aren't in Boomer Esiason, Brian Sipe, Shaun Alexander-just to name a few.
How many members of the Chicago Bears are in the Hall of Fame? ›
The Bears have the most Hall of Famers with 37 players (where 30 made their primary contribution with Chicago), which most recently includes the 2020 inductions of Jimbo Covert and Ed Sprinkle.
How many NFL football players are in the Hall of Fame? ›
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's charter class of 17 members was enshrined on September 7, 1963. With the enshrinement of the Class of 2023, there are 371 members in the Hall of Fame.
How many KC chiefs are in the Hall of Fame? ›
The KC Chiefs have featured in the Super Bowl five times, and have 25 combined players and coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame. Let's find out who they are. Established in 1963 in Canton, Ohio, the Pro Football Hall of Fame honors individuals who have shaped professional football's history.
How many 49ers are in the Hall of Fame? ›
San Francisco 49ers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: 29.
