15 Little-Known Facts About the Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are the NFL’s oldest continuously run franchise with a colorful and sometimes nomadic history.

Let’s uncover some surprising facts:

1. Chicago Roots: The Cardinals were founded in 1898 in Chicago and played under various names before becoming the Chicago Cardinals in 1920.
2. More Moves: The franchise then moved to St. Louis in 1960 and finally settled in Arizona in 1988.
3. Long Championship Drought: The Cardinals last won an NFL championship in 1947 while still in Chicago, making it one of the longest title droughts in sports.
4. Greatest Show on…Dirt?: Before moving into a new stadium in 2006, the Arizona Cardinals played in Sun Devil Stadium at Arizona State University on a natural grass field.
5. Kurt Warner’s Cinderella Story: Quarterback Kurt Warner, who famously went from unknown to NFL MVP with the St. Louis Rams, led the Cardinals to their most recent Super Bowl appearance in 2008.
6. Larry Fitzgerald’s Legend: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is beloved in Arizona and considered one of the best receivers ever, with multiple Cardinals receiving records.
7. The Boldin Effect: Anquan Boldin was a dynamic and powerful receiver for the Cardinals, forming a formidable duo with Fitzgerald for several years.
8. Pat Tillman’s Legacy: Pat Tillman tragically left his NFL career to serve in the Army after the 9/11 attacks and was killed in Afghanistan, becoming a revered figure in Cardinals history.
9. “All or Nothing” Series: The Amazon documentary series “All or Nothing” offered an inside look at the Cardinals during their 2015 season.
10. The “Desert Swarm” Defense: The Cardinals defense of the mid-to-late 90s earned this nickname due to their fierce and relentless style.
11. High-Flying Offense: Current head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s “Air Raid” offensive scheme makes for exciting games and explosive plays.
12. Kyler’s Magic: Kyler Murray, the electrifying young quarterback, brings a dynamic dual-threat ability to the Cardinals’ offense.
13. Playoff Breakthrough: In 2021 the Cardinals broke a five-year playoff drought, offering hope to long-suffering Cardinals fans.
14. A Stadium Marvel: The Cardinals play in the impressive State Farm Stadium, which boasts a retractable roof and a unique roll-out natural grass field.
15. Small but Mighty Fanbase: While sometimes overshadowed by other Arizona sports teams, the Cardinals have a devoted and passionate fanbase known as the “Bird Gang.”