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Bill Bidwill: (1972 – Present)

Bill Bidwill has been a remarkably unsuccessful owner, as far as football accolades are concerned. In his 57 years of ownership, the Cardinals have only made the playoffs eight times. Despite enjoying solid fan support in St. Louis, the city wouldn’t build a new stadium. So, in 1988, Bidwill decided to move the team to Phoenix, Arizona.

Over many decades in charge, the Cardinals have consistently had some of the lowest payrolls in the NFL and earned a reputation for being run cheaply. Today, Bidwill has handed over the majority of operational control to his two sons and they continue to maintain management style that their father had.

Bill Bidwill, Charles Bidwill Jr.: (1962 – 1972)

Violet Bidwill Wolfner died in 1962. In her will, Victoria left her over 80% stake in the Cardinals to her two adopted sons from her first marriage, Bill and Charles Bidwill. Walter Wolfner, who had been acting as managing director of the team attempted to contest the will, but the Illinois Supreme Court settled in favor of the sons.

Bill and Charles eliminated Wolfner’s position in the organization and co-owned the cardinals for 10 years. In 1972, Bill Bidwill purchased his brother’s shares in the franchise to become the sole principal owner.

Violet Bidwill Wolfner (1947 – 1962)

Following Charles Bidwill’s death, the Cardinals were inherited by his widow, Violet. Mrs. Bidwill became the first female principal owner in NFL history. After winning the team’s first legitimate league championship in 1947, the Cardinals advanced to the title game again the following year, then lost to the Eagles.

Though she would own the franchise until 1962, the Cardinals only managed four more seasons above .500 during Violet’s tenure. Following the 1959 season, the Bidwills decided their losing football team could no longer compete in the Chicago market. They relocated to St. Louis before the 1960 campaign.

Charles Bidwill: (1933 – 1947)

Charles Bidwill became the official owner of the Cardinals in 1933, after selling his minority stake in the Chicago Bears. However, the wealthy owner was never fully emotionally invested in his new team. Bidwill was known to root for his beloved Bears when they were playing the Cardinals.

He also claimed the 1925 championship that franchise founder Chris O’Brien refused to acknowledge, due to the controversial way in which it was won. Many believe claiming the title cursed the organization, explaining how a team with such longevity could experience so little success.

When a third franchise moved into Chicago and tried to push the Cardinals out, Charles decided to buy a winner. He spent a record $100,000 to sign Charley Trippi, adding to what Bidwill called his “Dream Backfield.” The team did go on to win the 1947 title.

Dr. David Jones: (1929 – 1933)

After purchasing the Cardinals from its founder, Dr. Jones quickly became disillusioned with owning a professional football team. The Chicago Bears were considerably more popular in the city, and the franchise’s on-field product was consistently mediocre.

While attending a dinner party on Charles Bidwill’s yacht, in 1932, Jones complained about the realities of owning the Cardinals, prompting Violet Bidwill to lightheartedly suggest Charles purchase it from him.

However, the discussion became real over the course of the evening, and the Bidwill family agreed to buy the Chicago Cardinals for $50,000. The new owner handed Dr. David Jones a $2,000 down payment in cash on the spot to make it official. The team has remained in the Bidwill family ever since.

Chris O’Brien (1898 – 1929)

Chris O’Brien was a plumber and house painter who, in 1898, organized the Morgan Athletic Club, which would eventually grow into the NFL franchise called the Arizona Cardinals. O’Brien is called the “Father of Professional Football in Chicago,” for his part in founding the Racine/Chicago Cardinals and playing a vital role in helping establish the American Professional Football Association, which became the NFL in 1922.

The Cardinals franchise was a charter member of the new league, but not the only team in Chicago. In 1920, O’Brien challenged the owner of the Chicago Tigers to a game between their respective squads, to determine which organization would have the sole right to represent their city in the APFA/NFL.

The Cardinals won 6-3, and the Tigers became the first franchise to fold in the young league. Regardless, only two years later, the Decatur Staleys would relocate to the Windy City and become the Chicago Bears.

In 1929, Chris O’Brien sold the Cardinals to a local physician named Dr. David Jones. After founding the team and running the organization for 28 years, O’Brien cashed out to the tune of $25,000.

Team Logos

Current Cardinal’s Head (2005 – Present)

On two different occasions, minor changes were made to the cardinal’s head logo to coincide with the team’s various moves. A slight tweak to the angle the bird is facing, or a minor difference in the color red, for example.

In 2005, the Cardinals made some noticeable alterations. The image is much sleeker, and the cardinal is pointing its beak in a more aggressive manner. Also, the shape of the eye and its surrounding shading was redone to further add to the tough, mean vibe. The team also added a thick black outline that makes the drawing “pop.”

Original Cardinal’s Head (1970 – 2004)

The earliest iteration of the Arizona Cardinals’ current logo was introduced in 1970. It was created by Verlander Design, who simplified the design to a simple cardinal’s head, facing right. The markings around the eye are drawn to make the bird’s expression look intense and strong.

St. Louis Muscle Bird (1962 – 1969)

Following their relocation to St. Louis, the Cardinals adopted a more cartoonish, ridiculous logo. In it, the St. Louis Arch provides the background, to a muscular red cardinal running with a football under its right arm (they drew it as an arm, not a wing). The anthropomorphic bird is also wearing football pants and cleats.

Cardinal Perched on Football (1947 – 1959)

While still in Chicago, the Cardinals completely overhauled their logo, switching to a white horizontal-lying football, with a brown cardinal standing on the laces. The picture is a fairly realistic portrayal of the bird, with the entire animal visible from tail feathers to its crest.

Chicago Cardinals “CC” (1920 – 1934)

The franchise’s earliest known logo is from when they were the Chicago Cardinals and a charter member of the American Professional Football Association. This initial design was a wishbone “C,” similar to what the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Bears use. Inside that “C” is a smaller plain text “C.” Both of the letters are solid cardinal red.

History of the Arizona Cardinals