NFL Team History: The Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals franchise was founded in 1898. They are one of the oldest administered professional football organizations in the United States..

The Arizona Cardinals have also been known as the Phoenix Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals, Racine Cardinals, the Normals, and the Morgan Athletic Club.

The team was initially assembled as a neighborhood group that frequently played football in Chicago's South Side. At the time, they were referred to as the Morgan Athletic Club. When a local businessman named Chris O'Brien purchased the team, they began to play at Normal Field, hence they became known as the Normals.

The faded maroon jerseys, also known as 'Cardinal Red', which O'Brien purchased from the University of Chicago, became the team's identifying factor, which led to the team name 'Racine Cardinals'.

Unfortunately, in 1906, the Cardinals were disbanded; however, O'Brien re-established the Cardinals franchise in 1913. In 1917, O'Brien hired Marshal Smith as the head coach. Under Smith's leadership, they became champions of the Chicago Football League.

After the war in Europe, O'Brien re-established the Cardinals for a third time, and interest from the Chicago community continued to increase. In 1920, the Racine Cardinals became a member of the American Professional Football League, which was the precursor to the NFL.

The Cardinals first renowned star, John 'Paddy' Drisoll, became head coach in 1921 and 1922, but his job did not end with a clipboard on the sidelines. He was also a superb runner, blocker, and punter.

In 1922, the Racine Cardinals were renamed the Chicago Cardinals, and their home field became the celebrated Comiskey Park.

The Cardinals owned the best record and won their first NFL championship under coach Norman Barry in 1925. During that particular era, there was no post-season, or playoffs, to determine the champion.

In 1929, the franchise ownership changed hands as Chicago-area physician, Dr. David Jones, acquired the Chicago Cardinals.