The St. Louis Cardinals football team was a professional football franchise based in St. Louis, Missouri. The team was founded in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). They played their home games at Busch Memorial Stadium.
In their early years, the Cardinals struggled to find success and were often among the bottom teams in the league. However, the team had some notable players during this time, including quarterback Charley Johnson and running back John David Crow.
In 1967, the Cardinals hired head coach Charley Winner, who led the team to their first winning season in nearly a decade. The team finished with a 9-4-1 record and made their first playoff appearance in franchise history. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cardinals continued to improve throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1974, they made it to the playoffs again, this time with a 10-4 record. Led by quarterback Jim Hart and receiver Mel Gray, the Cardinals won their first playoff game in franchise history, defeating the Minnesota Vikings. However, they lost to the Cowboys in the following round.
In 1981, the team relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and became the Phoenix Cardinals. The team experienced limited success in the 1980s, but in 1998, they reached the playoffs again with a 9-7 record. This playoff appearance would be the team's last in St. Louis.
In 1994, the team changed their name to the Arizona Cardinals. The franchise struggled to find consistent success throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, in 2008, the Cardinals enjoyed their most successful season in decades. Led by quarterback Kurt Warner and receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the team won their division and advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. They faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII but were defeated in a thrilling game.
Since then, the Cardinals have had mixed results, reaching the playoffs several times but failing to advance deep into the postseason. They have had notable players like Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, and Patrick Peterson, who have helped maintain the team's competitiveness.
Overall, the St. Louis Cardinals football team had moments of success and excitement throughout their history, but they were unable to consistently establish themselves as a dominant franchise in the league. The team relocated to Arizona in 1988 and is now known as the Arizona Cardinals.
Why Did The Football Cardinals Leave St.Louis
The football Cardinals, now known as the Arizona Cardinals, relocated from St. Louis to Arizona in 1988. The move was primarily due to a lack of adequate stadium facilities in St. Louis and a desire for a more suitable venue for the team. Additionally, the ownership group at the time believed that moving to a larger market like Phoenix would provide better financial opportunities and increased fan support.
