For decades, the question "when did the cardinals leave Chicago" has echoed through sports history, marking the end of an era for one of the National Football League's most storied franchises. The story of the Chicago Cardinals is not just about a team relocating; it is about the evolution of professional football and the complex interplay between geography, ownership, and league dynamics. Understanding this pivotal move requires looking back at the franchise's deep roots in the Windy City.
The Long History of the Chicago Cardinals
The Cardinals' story began well before the modern NFL was formed, with claims dating the franchise back to 1898 in Chicago. They were a founding member of the American Professional Football Association in 1920, which later became the NFL. For the better part of five decades, the red and white clad team called the city of Chicago home, competing in various stadiums including Comiskey Park, the home of the American League baseball White Sox. They were one of the NFL's "Original Sixty" franchises, establishing a legacy that spanned generations of fans.
Competition and Struggles in the 1950s
The 1950s presented significant challenges for the franchise. The post-war era saw the rise of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), which drew talent and fans away from the established NFL. Compounding this, the Cardinals faced the emergence of the Baltimore Colts, a powerhouse team that dominated the league. On the field, Chicago struggled to find consistent success, and the combination of a fading fanbase due to the AAFC and a stadium situation that paled in comparison to newer facilities created a perfect storm of instability.
The Move to St. Louis
Searching for a New Home
By the late 1950s, team owner Violet Bidwill Wolfner was actively seeking a more favorable market. The aging Comiskey Park was no longer adequate, and the fan support in Chicago was dwindling. In 1960, she made the decisive move to relocate the franchise to St. Louis, Missouri. The 1960 season was the last the team would play as the Chicago Cardinals, marking the definitive end of their era in the city that birthed them. This move answered the primary question of when did the cardinals leave Chicago with a clear and permanent date.
Life in St. Louis
The transition to St. Louis breathed new life into the franchise. Playing at the larger Busch Stadium, the team found itself in a more passionate football market. The change of scenery revitalized the Cardinals, and they quickly became a competitive force in the NFL throughout the 1960s and early 70s. While the move was initially driven by necessity, it proved to be a successful business decision that allowed the franchise to survive and thrive for another three decades.
The Franchise's Modern Era
The Cardinals remained in St. Louis until 1988, when they again relocated, this time to Tempe, Arizona, to play in the new Sun Devil Stadium. Eventually, they settled into their current home in Glendale, Arizona, at State Farm Stadium. The journey from Chicago to St. Louis to Arizona represents a significant chapter in the history of professional sports, illustrating how franchises adapt to survive. The legacy of the Chicago era, however, remains a foundational part of the Cardinals' identity, even as the franchise continues to build new traditions in the desert.
Even over sixty years after the departure, the question of when did the cardinals leave Chicago persists among football historians and fans. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of professional sports and the importance of local support. The move to St. Louis is often seen as a necessary step for the survival of the franchise, but it also closed a door on a unique period in NFL history. The Cardinals' time in Chicago is remembered for its pioneering spirit and the foundation it laid for the modern game.
