arthurracoon
The Cardinal Smiles
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cheapseats/greatest/cardinals.html#poll
We might be young in comparison with New York, Chicago or Boston, but the Arizona sports scene has had its share of memorable moments. From world and national championships to heart-breaking near misses, the Arizona sports fan has seen it all.
In an attempt to compile the best moments of all-time from Arizona relatively brief sports history, azcentral.com will run a six-part series on the 10 greatest moments of all-time for the Cardinals, Coyotes, Diamondbacks, Suns, Sun Devils and Wildcats.
You will get to vote on your favorite moment, and if you don't agree with our list you can even post one of your own on our message boards.
1) Cardinals' first game in Sun Devil Stadium
The NFL finally found a home in the Valley and more than 67,000 fans turned to see the Cardinals take on the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately for the fans, the Cardinals couldn't send them home happy as the Cowboys came away with a hard-fought 17-14 victory.
2) The drafting of Jake Plummer
Jake Plummer and the Cardinals were a match made in heaven. The Arizona State University star stayed at home for the start of his NFL career as the Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. In his six years in the Valley, Plummer gave Cardinals fans plenty of memories.
3) The playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys in 1998
The upstart Cardinals had barely sneaked into the playoffs for the first time since moving to the Valley and faced the tough test of meeting the Dallas Cowboys in the first round, a team they had lost to twice during the regular season. But a stingy defense and solid play by Jake Plummer helped the Cardinals beat the Cowboys 20-7 in front of 63,000 stunned fans at Texas Stadium.
4) The signing of Emmitt Smith
The Cardinals had come off a string of four consecutive losing seasons and needed something to spark interest. They got it by signing the NFL career leader in rushing yards to a two-year contract. Although the results have been mixed on the field, the Smith signing was the highest-profile free agent acquisition in team history.
5) Valley voters approve a new stadium
Maricopa County voters approve the construction of a new stadium for the Cardinals to be built in Glendale. If voters hadn't supported the initiative, the Cardinals surely would be looking for a new place to call home.
6) The Valley gets the Super Bowl
A new stadium usually means the Super Bowl will come to town and the NFL leaders granted that wish in October, awarding the Valley the 2008 Super Bowl.
7) The Cardinals' first home win in Arizona
More than 61,000 fans turned out on Sept. 25h for the second Cardinals home game in the Valley. This time the Cardinals came through as they beat the Washington Redskins 30-21 for their first win in the desert.
8 ) Beating the Chargers to advance to the NFL playoffs
The 1998 season was full of magical moments for the Cardinals and their fans, but few could match the pressure and intensity of their Dec. 27 matchup against the San Diego Chargers with a playoff spot up for grabs. In front of 71,670 fans at Sun Devil Stadium, the Cardinals beat the Chargers 16-13 to earn an NFC wild-card spot.
9) Boomer Esaison sets Cardinals passing record in 1996
While many remember the lefty from his days with the Cincinnati Bengals, Boomer had one of his best days of his career wearing Cardinal red. Esaison threw for a team record high of 522 yards against the Washington Redskins in 1996.
10) LeShon Johnson tops the 200 yard mark in rushing in 1996
Although Johnson's career lasted only 62 games spanning five seasons in the NFL, he stills holds the Cardinals' single-game rushing record. Johnson ran for 214 yards in a memorable victory over the New Orleans Saints in 1996.
We might be young in comparison with New York, Chicago or Boston, but the Arizona sports scene has had its share of memorable moments. From world and national championships to heart-breaking near misses, the Arizona sports fan has seen it all.
In an attempt to compile the best moments of all-time from Arizona relatively brief sports history, azcentral.com will run a six-part series on the 10 greatest moments of all-time for the Cardinals, Coyotes, Diamondbacks, Suns, Sun Devils and Wildcats.
You will get to vote on your favorite moment, and if you don't agree with our list you can even post one of your own on our message boards.
1) Cardinals' first game in Sun Devil Stadium
The NFL finally found a home in the Valley and more than 67,000 fans turned to see the Cardinals take on the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately for the fans, the Cardinals couldn't send them home happy as the Cowboys came away with a hard-fought 17-14 victory.
2) The drafting of Jake Plummer
Jake Plummer and the Cardinals were a match made in heaven. The Arizona State University star stayed at home for the start of his NFL career as the Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. In his six years in the Valley, Plummer gave Cardinals fans plenty of memories.
3) The playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys in 1998
The upstart Cardinals had barely sneaked into the playoffs for the first time since moving to the Valley and faced the tough test of meeting the Dallas Cowboys in the first round, a team they had lost to twice during the regular season. But a stingy defense and solid play by Jake Plummer helped the Cardinals beat the Cowboys 20-7 in front of 63,000 stunned fans at Texas Stadium.
4) The signing of Emmitt Smith
The Cardinals had come off a string of four consecutive losing seasons and needed something to spark interest. They got it by signing the NFL career leader in rushing yards to a two-year contract. Although the results have been mixed on the field, the Smith signing was the highest-profile free agent acquisition in team history.
5) Valley voters approve a new stadium
Maricopa County voters approve the construction of a new stadium for the Cardinals to be built in Glendale. If voters hadn't supported the initiative, the Cardinals surely would be looking for a new place to call home.
6) The Valley gets the Super Bowl
A new stadium usually means the Super Bowl will come to town and the NFL leaders granted that wish in October, awarding the Valley the 2008 Super Bowl.
7) The Cardinals' first home win in Arizona
More than 61,000 fans turned out on Sept. 25h for the second Cardinals home game in the Valley. This time the Cardinals came through as they beat the Washington Redskins 30-21 for their first win in the desert.
8 ) Beating the Chargers to advance to the NFL playoffs
The 1998 season was full of magical moments for the Cardinals and their fans, but few could match the pressure and intensity of their Dec. 27 matchup against the San Diego Chargers with a playoff spot up for grabs. In front of 71,670 fans at Sun Devil Stadium, the Cardinals beat the Chargers 16-13 to earn an NFC wild-card spot.
9) Boomer Esaison sets Cardinals passing record in 1996
While many remember the lefty from his days with the Cincinnati Bengals, Boomer had one of his best days of his career wearing Cardinal red. Esaison threw for a team record high of 522 yards against the Washington Redskins in 1996.
10) LeShon Johnson tops the 200 yard mark in rushing in 1996
Although Johnson's career lasted only 62 games spanning five seasons in the NFL, he stills holds the Cardinals' single-game rushing record. Johnson ran for 214 yards in a memorable victory over the New Orleans Saints in 1996.
