Arizona Cardinals

Founded in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club, the Arizona Cardinals is the oldest team in the NFL. Their story began on the South Side of Chicago, where they got the nickname “Cardinals” in 1901. It came from a shipment of faded cardinal red jerseys that Chris O’Brien, the team’s founder, received from the University of Chicago Maroons football team. Originally known as the Racine Cardinals, they played in a loosely organized Chicago-area league before joining the American Professional Football League in 1920. The name changed to the Chicago Cardinals in 1922, and three years later, they snagged their first NFL championship in the 1925 season. But victory wasn’t always a constant theme for this franchise. After 1925, the team went through many non-competitive and dismal years, hitting rock bottom with consecutive 0–10 seasons in 1943 and 1944. The return of coach Jimmy Conzelman in 1946 led to a championship win in 1947, with the “Million-Dollar Backfield” stealing the show. Though they made it to the title game in 1948, they fell to the Philadelphia Eagles. Poor performances led to financial trouble, and the Cardinals relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960. The franchise became known as the St. Louis “football” Cardinals. Winning records were more common in St. Louis, but the postseason seemed out of reach until 1974. The team made back-to-back trips to the playoffs in 1974 and 1975, losing both times. A lack of fan support and a desire for a profitable stadium led to another relocation to Phoenix in 1988. The mediocrity continued until 1998 when quarterback Jake Plummer steered the Cardinals to a nine-win season and their first playoff victory in 51 years. The 2008 season was a turning point for the Arizona Cardinals. Veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, paired with outstanding talent in Pro Bowl wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, ignited a newfound energy within the team. Together, they forged a path to the division title and made history by leading the franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance. Unfortunately, the fairytale ending was not to be, as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated them. The season remained a testament to the team’s growth and potential. The thrilling journey of 2008 symbolized a moment when the team transcended expectations and tasted the pinnacle of NFL success Following this brief success, the Cardinals returned to their losing ways. However, the team managed to win 10 games in 2013 and 11 games in 2014. In the 2015 season, they won a remarkable 13 games and made it to the NFC championship game, only to be defeated by the Carolina Panthers. The next years saw a decline, hitting a low point with an NFL-worst 3–13 record in 2018. Despite this, the Cardinals’ history is a rich tapestry of triumphs and defeats, filled with standout players, unforgettable moments, and constant efforts to reach the top. What lies ahead for this storied franchise? Time will tell. But whether the Arizona Cardinals will rise again to championship glory or continue to face struggles on the field, their fans and followers can always look back at a history filled with passion, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the game.