Chicago Cardinals
A charter NFL member since 1920 and an enduring rival to the Bears.
The professional American football team now known as the Arizona Cardinals began in 1898 when Chris O'Brien established the Morgan Athletic Club. The team moved to Normal Park on Racine Avenue, becoming the Racine Normals, before adopting maroon uniforms from the University of Chicago in 1901. When a faded uniform prompted O'Brien to exclaim, "That's not maroon; it's cardinal red!", they became the Racine Street Cardinals. After disbanding in 1906 due to lack of competition, a professional team formed in 1913 and resumed operations after World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic. In 1920, they joined the American Professional Football Association (later the NFL) for $100 as charter members. Renamed the Chicago Cardinals in 1922 to distinguish them from a Racine, Wisconsin team, they remain one of only two surviving franchises from that founding era alongside the Chicago Bears.
- city_of_origin
- Chicago
- founding_year
- 1898
- charter_fee_1920
- $100
- relocation_to_st_louis
- 1960
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The rivalry between the Cardinals and the Chicago Bears (formerly the Decatur Staleys) defined the league's first six years. In 1920, they split two games; in 1921, a tie nearly cost the Staleys a second consecutive title. By 1922, the renamed Bears lost twice to the Cardinals but still secured second place. The most dramatic moment arrived in 1925 when the Cardinals finished 11–2–1 after hastily scheduling games against the Milwaukee Badgers and Hammond Pros. Although they defeated Pottsville Maroons 21–7 in a snowstorm, the Maroons were stripped of the title for an unauthorized game, leaving the league to award no champion that year. Owner Chris O'Brien refused the offered title, arguing his team did not deserve it over a squad that beat them fairly. The franchise only began claiming the 1925 championship after the Bidwill family purchased the team in 1933.
In Their Own Story
On November 28, 1929, Ernie Nevers scored six rushing touchdowns in a historic 40–6 victory over the Chicago Bears. In this contest, Duke Slater played all 60 minutes, alternating between offensive and defensive lines while participating on special teams. This game highlighted the resilience of African-American players during an era when the league was increasingly hostile to their presence. Between 1926 and 1927, a movement among NFL owners led to every black player being removed from the league except Slater. Although four other African-American players drew salaries intermittently through 1933, Slater remained the sole black player in 1929. By his retirement in 1931, he had achieved All-Pro status six times and never missed a game due to injury, starting in 96 of the 99 games he played between the AFL and NFL.
Reader's Guide
The Chicago era spans from the team's founding in 1898 through their relocation to St. Louis for the 1960 season. The franchise operated continuously since resuming play after World War I, surviving irregular campaigns in the 1950s that nearly led to bankruptcy before a group of investors formed the American Football League. In Chicago, they were overshadowed by the Bears but maintained a fierce rivalry that impacted championship outcomes four times between 1920 and 1925. The team moved to Comiskey Park in 1922, where they hosted notable players like Duke Slater and Harold Bradley Sr., the latter of whom played only two games due to a steel plate in his leg. The Chicago Cardinals were founding members of the NFL alongside the Bears, with both teams surviving from 1920 to the present day.
Did You Know?
- The team name changed to 'Racine Street Cardinals' after owner Chris O'Brien saw a faded maroon uniform and declared it was actually 'cardinal red'.
- In 1925, the league offered the championship title to the Cardinals, but owner Chris O'Brien refused it because his team had not beaten the Pottsville Maroons fairly.
- Duke Slater played all 60 minutes of a 1929 game where Ernie Nevers scored six rushing touchdowns against the Chicago Bears.
- Between 1920 and 1925, only the Cardinals defeated the Chicago Bears more than once in that six-year span.
- The original Racine Street Cardinals disbanded in 1906 mostly due to a lack of local competition before reforming as a professional team in 1913.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Chicago Cardinals in relation to the modern team?
They represent the historical predecessor era of what is now known as the Arizona Cardinals franchise. This period holds the distinction of being part of the oldest continuously operating organization in professional American football.
When and where was the club originally founded?
The organization began in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club located in Racine, Wisconsin, before moving to Chicago. This timeline establishes their roots well before the official creation of the National Football League.
What significance did they hold during the NFL's early years?
They were charter members of the league when it formed in 1920, playing a vital role in defining professional standards. Their presence from the very beginning cements their status as one of the sport's founding pillars.
How successful was the team during their time in Chicago?
The franchise secured three NFL championships during this era, showcasing early dominance within the competition. These titles remain a celebrated part of their legacy despite subsequent relocations and name changes.
Why do fans consider this history important today?
It validates the club's unique claim as the only team to have played continuously since 1898 without interruption or merger. This unbroken lineage connects current supporters directly to the origins of professional football.
More in Club History & Eras
Related in Arizona Cardinals
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