Jim Hart

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hart's tenure with the Cardinals is defined by the 'Cardiac Cards' era under coach Don Coryell, which transformed a mediocre team into a consistent contender. From 1974 to 1976, Hart led the squad to three straight ten-plus-win seasons and back-to-back NFC East crowns. A pivotal moment occurred on December 21, 1974, when Hart guided the Cardinals to their first playoff game in 26 years against Minnesota; he threw for a touchdown but the team lost 30–14 after trailing at halftime. In the 1975 playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, early struggles proved costly as Hart threw two interceptions returned for touchdowns, resulting in a 35–23 loss. Despite these playoff heartbreaks, Hart's resilience was evident in ten game-winning drives over that three-year span. His leadership extended to the 1977 season where he earned a Pro Bowl selection despite throwing five interceptions in the bowl game—a record for the event—and leading the team to a .500 finish before a four-game losing streak ended their postseason hopes.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Jim Hart's career began with uncertainty after going undrafted in 1966, only to be signed by the Cardinals after impressing at a tryout. His rookie appearance came on December 17, 1966, relieving Terry Nofsinger for a loss to Cleveland where he completed four of 11 passes. By 1967, he took over as the starter, throwing 30 interceptions—a career high that highlighted his aggressive style. The turning point arrived in 1973 with Don Coryell's hiring. Hart became the engine of an offense that scored repeatedly, including a memorable first-half touchdown pass to Earl Thomas in the 1974 playoff opener against Minnesota. However, the 1976 season ended in frustration when a 10–4 team missed the playoffs solely due to losses against Washington. In his final seasons, Hart faced mounting pressure; by October 2, 1983, he made his last start against Kansas City, throwing three interceptions before being replaced by Rusty Lisch. His career concluded with the Redskins in 1984, where he served as a backup to Joe Theismann, cementing a legacy of 201 games played and 243 sacks taken.

Reader's Guide

Understanding Jim Hart's impact requires looking at his longevity and statistical dominance within the Cardinals' history. His career totals as of 2021 placed him 10th in history for passes intercepted (including a single-season high of 30 in 1967) and 73rd in sacks. Fans should note his unique distinction: he is the only quarterback to hold franchise records for both wins and losses, reflecting the team's volatility during his era. His Pro Bowl appearances were four, with the 1977 game marking a historical low of five interceptions thrown by a single player in that event. Off the field, Hart remained connected to the sport as an athletic director at Southern Illinois University from 1989 to 1999 and operated Dierdorf and Hart's Steak House with Dan Dierdorf for 30 years until 2013.

Did You Know?

• Hart was the 10th quarterback in NFL history to make his 200th appearance at the quarterback position.
• In the 1977 Pro Bowl, Hart threw five interceptions, setting a record for the most interceptions thrown by a single player in Pro Bowl history.
• The St. Louis Cardinals missed the playoffs in 1976 despite finishing 10–4, becoming the only NFC team to miss the postseason with that record due to losing twice to Washington.
• Hart holds the distinction of being sacked 243 times during his career, ranking him 73rd all-time in that category as of 2021.
• He was the sixth player in history to throw 30 or more interceptions in a single season (1967).