10 Facts About the Arizona Cardinals You Probably Didn’t Know

The Arizona Cardinals represent one of the most fascinating stories in professional football. While many fans follow the team’s current season performance, few know the remarkable history and surprising facts that make this franchise truly unique. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the Cardinals, these lesser-known facts will deepen your appreciation for this storied NFL team.

The Cardinals Are the Oldest Continuously Operating Professional Football Franchise

When discussing the Arizona Cardinals, one fact stands above all others: this franchise dates back to 1898, making them the oldest professional football club in the NFL. The team began as the Morgan Athletic Club on Chicago’s South Side, predating the National Football League itself by more than two decades.

Chris O’Brien formed the Morgan Athletic Club in 1898, and a few years later purchased used jerseys from the University of Chicago. This humble beginning would eventually evolve into one of only two charter members of the NFL still in operation today, alongside the Chicago Bears. The Cardinals franchise has witnessed the entire evolution of professional football, from its amateur roots to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today.

The longevity of this Cardinals franchise is extraordinary when you consider the countless teams that have come and gone throughout NFL history. While the league has expanded and contracted multiple times, the Cardinals remain as the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the United States, a testament to their resilience and enduring appeal.

The Team’s Nickname Came From Faded Hand-Me-Down Jerseys

Have you ever wondered how the Arizona Cardinals got their distinctive name? The origin story is charmingly humble and represents the resourceful spirit of early professional football. When Chris O’Brien bought used jerseys from the University of Chicago, he described the faded maroon clothing as “Cardinal red,” and the team became known as the Racine Street Cardinals.

This wasn’t a carefully planned branding decision by marketing executives. Instead, it was a practical observation about the color of second-hand uniforms that happened to inspire one of the most enduring nicknames in professional sports. The cardinal red color has remained synonymous with the franchise through all its relocations and transformations, from Chicago to St. Louis to Arizona.

The Cardinals name stuck with the team through their various iterations: the Racine Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, Phoenix Cardinals, and finally the Arizona Cardinals. This continuity of identity, born from those faded jerseys over a century ago, connects today’s team directly to its humble origins.

Ernie Nevers Set an Unbreakable NFL Record That Still Stands After 95 Years

Among the many incredible individual performances in NFL history, one record stands remarkably unchallenged nearly a century later. On Thanksgiving Day in 1929, Cardinals superstar running back Ernie Nevers scored all 40 points in a 40-6 victory over the Chicago Bears, an NFL record that stands today.

To understand how extraordinary this achievement was, Nevers scored six rushing touchdowns and kicked four extra points in that single game. While several players have since matched the six-touchdown mark, no one has combined touchdowns and extra points to reach Nevers’ total of 40 points. The conditions weren’t ideal either—the frozen field and bitter cold made every rushing attempt treacherous.

What makes this record even more impressive is its durability. This is the oldest NFL record still unbroken, and Nevers remains the only player to score all six touchdowns by rushing. In an era of high-powered offenses and record-breaking performances, Nevers’ 95-year-old achievement continues to stand as a monument to individual dominance in professional football.

The performance wasn’t just about the numbers—it showcased the Cardinals’ competitive spirit during their Chicago years and established a standard of excellence that still resonates with the franchise today.

Pat Tillman Walked Away From Millions to Serve His Country

The story of Pat Tillman represents one of the most compelling chapters in Arizona Cardinals history and demonstrates the power of conviction over financial gain. Tillman was an NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals who left his sports career and enlisted in the United States Army Special Operations in May 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

Despite a contract offer to remain an Arizona Cardinal for three years and $3.6 million, Tillman stepped away to serve his country eight months after the terrorist attacks. This wasn’t a publicity stunt or a brief interruption—it was a fundamental choice to prioritize service over personal gain. His decision shocked the sports world and turned him into a symbol of selfless dedication.

Tillman’s Cardinals career had been impressive. He broke the franchise record for tackles in 2000 with 224 total tackles, and he turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals. He had everything a young athlete could want, yet he chose a different path.

Tragically, Tillman was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004, in what was later revealed to be a friendly fire incident. The Cardinals retired his number 40, and Arizona State retired the number 42 he wore with the Sun Devils. Today, the plaza surrounding State Farm Stadium bears his name, ensuring that his legacy of sacrifice and principle continues to inspire Cardinals fans and Americans alike.

Kurt Warner Led the Cardinals to Their First Super Bowl in Franchise History

Few stories in sports rival the career arc of Kurt Warner, and his time with the Arizona Cardinals produced some of the franchise’s most memorable moments. Warner’s most successful season with the Cardinals was in 2008 when he led them to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XLIII.

Warner’s journey to that Super Bowl was itself remarkable. After going undrafted and spending time in the Arena Football League, Warner became a two-time Most Valuable Player and is considered the NFL’s greatest undrafted player. When he joined the Cardinals in 2005, many thought his best days were behind him. Instead, he revitalized his career and gave the franchise its greatest season.

The 2008 Cardinals season was magical. The Cardinals entered the game seeking their first NFL title since 1947, representing the longest championship drought in the league. Though they ultimately lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23 in a thrilling contest, the journey validated decades of struggling Cardinals fans’ loyalty.

Warner completed 31 of 43 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns in the Super Bowl, the second-most yards in Super Bowl history at that time. His performance throughout the 2008 playoffs demonstrated that championship-caliber football had finally come to Arizona. Warner’s leadership and skill transformed the Cardinals from perennial underdogs into legitimate contenders, creating memories that still define the modern era of the franchise.

The Cardinals Have Called Three Different Cities Home

Unlike most NFL franchises that have remained in one location throughout their existence, the Arizona Cardinals have embarked on a cross-country journey spanning more than a century. Understanding this nomadic history helps explain the franchise’s unique character and enduring fan challenges.

After 40 seasons in Chicago, the Cardinals moved to St. Louis in 1960. The Chicago years established the franchise’s foundation, including both their championship victories. However, declining attendance and competition from the dominant Bears made relocation necessary. In St. Louis, the team had to distinguish itself from the baseball Cardinals, earning nicknames like “Football Cardinals” and “Big Red.”

The St. Louis era brought mixed results. The Cardinals won NFC Eastern division championships in both 1974 and 1975 but lost in the first round of the playoffs each year. Despite some competitive seasons, the franchise struggled to build consistent support in its second home.

The franchise moved for a second time in 1988 when William Bidwill selected Phoenix as the new home city. Initially known as the Phoenix Cardinals from 1988-1993, they became the Arizona Cardinals in 1994. This most recent chapter has seen the franchise finally achieve sustained success, including their historic Super Bowl run and multiple playoff appearances.

The three-city history makes the Cardinals unique among NFL franchises. While some teams have relocated once, few have successfully maintained their identity across such geographic and cultural changes. Each city has contributed to the rich tapestry of Cardinals history, from Chicago’s founding years to St. Louis’s competitive 1970s teams to Arizona’s modern success.

The Cardinals Have the Longest Championship Drought in North American Professional Sports

While the Cardinals’ long history is impressive, it also comes with a sobering reality that distinguishes them from every other professional sports franchise. As of 2024, the Cardinals have the longest active championship drought in North American sports at 77 seasons, one more than MLB’s Cleveland Guardians who last won the World Series in 1948.

The Cardinals’ championship victories came in 1925 and 1947, both while the team was in Chicago. The 1925 championship was disputed by supporters of the Pottsville Maroons, adding controversy to that victory. Their second championship in 1947 was won in a championship game, nearly two decades before the first Super Bowl.

Since that 1947 title, the Cardinals have experienced decades of frustration. They returned to the title game in 1948 but lost the rematch 7-0 in a snowstorm in Philadelphia. That would be their last championship game appearance until the 2009 Super Bowl, a gap of more than six decades.

This extended drought hasn’t been due to lack of trying or talented players. The franchise has featured numerous Hall of Famers and All-Pro performers. Yet championship success has remained elusive, making the Cardinals’ loyal fanbase one of the most patient and dedicated in professional sports. Every season brings renewed hope that this might finally be the year the drought ends.

The Team Merged With the Pittsburgh Steelers During World War II

Among the more unusual chapters in Arizona Cardinals trivia involves a wartime merger that created one of the strangest teams in NFL history. During World War II, many NFL teams struggled with player shortages as athletes joined the military. The Cardinals’ solution was unprecedented.

The Cardinals suffered through consecutive 0-10 seasons in 1943 and 1944, reflecting both the team’s struggles and the broader impact of the war. The 1944 season saw the Cardinals temporarily merge with the Pittsburgh Steelers, creating a combined team informally known as “Card-Pitt.”

This wartime collaboration represented a survival strategy for both franchises during an extraordinarily difficult period. The merged team allowed both organizations to continue operating while many of their players served overseas. While the experiment was short-lived and largely unsuccessful on the field, it represents a unique moment when two modern NFL franchises shared rosters and played as a single entity.

The Card-Pitt merger highlights how different the early NFL was from today’s multi-billion dollar enterprise. Teams struggled financially, rosters were depleted by world events, and creative solutions were necessary for survival. This adaptability helped ensure both franchises survived to become the established organizations they are today.

The Cardinals Are One of Only Two NFL Charter Members Still Operating

When the American Professional Football Association—which would become the National Football League—held its founding meeting on September 17, 1920, fourteen teams joined as charter members. Today, the Cardinals and Chicago Bears are the only NFL charter member franchises still in operation.

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. The resolution was straightforward: O’Brien and the Cardinals challenged the Tigers to a game, with the losers to leave town, and legendary Paddy Driscoll scored the only touchdown in a 6-0 Cardinals victory.

This survival of only two charter members from 1920 highlights how precarious early professional football was. Teams folded regularly due to financial difficulties, lack of fan support, or competition from other sports. The fact that the Cardinals weathered all these challenges speaks to the franchise’s resilience and the dedication of its ownership through multiple generations.

The connection to the NFL’s founding gives the Arizona Cardinals a special place in professional football history. Every time they take the field, they represent a living link to the league’s origins, carrying forward traditions and history that stretch back more than a century. This heritage makes the franchise irreplaceable in the broader narrative of American professional sports.

The Bidwill Family Has Owned the Team for Over 90 Years

Stability in ownership has been a defining characteristic of the Arizona Cardinals, providing continuity through all the franchise’s relocations and transformations. The Cardinals began a continuous period of family ownership in 1932 when Charles W. Bidwill bought the team.

Charles Bidwill’s stewardship proved crucial during the Depression and World War II years. 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. His vision resulted in the 1947 championship team featuring the famous “Dream Backfield.”

Bidwill’s son, William V. Bidwill, now operates the team, maintaining the family legacy. The multi-generational ownership has provided organizational stability that many franchises lack. While the family has made difficult decisions—including relocating the team twice—their long-term commitment to the franchise has ensured its survival and eventual success.

Both the Cardinals and Steelers have been owned by the same families since 1933, with Charles Bidwill buying the Cardinals and Art Rooney, Sr. becoming the first owner of the Steelers. This parallel family ownership of two original NFL franchises represents a remarkable continuity in an era when professional sports ownership frequently changes hands. The Bidwill family’s dedication has been instrumental in preserving one of professional football’s most historic franchises.

Bonus Fact: Cardinals at Teebete

At Teebete, we celebrate the rich heritage of teams like the Arizona Cardinals. Whether you’re a dedicated fan of the oldest franchise in professional football or just appreciating NFL history, understanding these remarkable facts deepens our connection to the game we love.

Conclusion: A Franchise Built on History and Resilience

The Arizona Cardinals represent far more than wins and losses. They embody resilience, adaptation, and an enduring commitment to professional football that stretches back to the sport’s earliest days. From humble beginnings on Chicago’s South Side to competing in modern NFL stadiums, the Cardinals have maintained their identity while navigating enormous changes in American sports and society.

These ten facts reveal a franchise that has witnessed and survived everything professional football has experienced: the sport’s amateur origins, the formation of the NFL, the challenges of the Depression and World War II, multiple relocations, decades of competitive struggles, and ultimately moments of triumph that validated generations of loyal supporters.

The Cardinals’ story reminds us that success in sports isn’t measured solely by championships, though that remains the ultimate goal. It’s also measured by persistence, character, and the ability to maintain relevance across different eras and circumstances. Few organizations in any professional sport can claim the depth of history that the Arizona Cardinals possess.

For fans old and new, understanding this history enriches every game, every season, and every moment spent following the team. The Cardinals aren’t just another NFL franchise—they’re a living connection to the origins of professional football itself, carrying forward more than a century of tradition while building toward future success. That deep-rooted legacy is why many supporters look for football gifts inspired by team history and tradition, choosing pieces that honor where the game came from as much as where it’s headed.

Whether you’re watching at State Farm Stadium, following from another city that once called the Cardinals their own, or discovering the team for the first time, you’re participating in a story that began in 1898 and continues to unfold today. That’s the true legacy of interesting Arizona Cardinals trivia—it connects us to something larger than any single season or game.

Summary Table: Key Facts About the Arizona Cardinals

Mia Wilson

Hi, I’m Mia Wilson. I’m a journalist and content creator based in New York with over six years of experience covering sports, holidays, fan culture, and community events across the United States. I focus on exploring team histories, traditions, celebrations, and the broader impact of sports and cultural events on local communities. I’m passionate about providing accurate, engaging, and educational content for readers of all ages, helping them understand the stories, experiences, and events that make sports and celebrations so meaningful.