Mr. Bidwill a class act

Catfish

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This Sunday, in St. Louis, Mr. Bill Bidwill is paying for a suite and all the amenities that come with it for the Big Red Alumni who wish to attend the game against the Rams. This has become an annual event to allow the former players, especially those from the St. Louis Cardinals era, to get together and celebrate old times and acquaintences.

The alumni members are allowed to each bring a friend, and will be on the field, mixing with the current crop of Cardinals, during the pre-game drills and warmups. Mr. Bidwill and family members will join them before and during the game in the suite provided.

This is yet another gesture on Mr. Bidwill's part to thank those former players for their contributions to the Big Red Legacy. Since the completion of the stadium in Phoenix, the ownership has worked very hard to include former players into the mix of pre-game, and half-time events, as a way of honoring the traditions of the Big Red.

While much has been stated over the years about the CHEAP Mr. Bidwill, not much has been said about the good work that he has done in the Chicago, St. Louis, and Arizona locations with charitable groups, especially those who provide educational opportunities for indigent children.

Bidwill, a devout Catholic, has worked below the radar, with the nuns who run a school on the T'ano O'odom reservation south of Tucson for years. His family's most recent event has been the official opening of the Cardinal's Prep. Academy in Phoenix, a school that he hopes will eventually be on a par with the already successful Brohpy Prep Academy, and the St. Mary's Catholic High School, both of which have excellent programs, scholastically and athletically.

Now that the team has what it lacked in Chicago or St. Louis, ( revenue streams from a stadium of their own ), the family has become very active in recognizing those that helped create the Cardinal legacy. Oh, and there is something else that they have now----the ability to pay competitive salaries to keep players wearing the Big Red. It is nice to see that happening too.:D
 

DemsMyBoys

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Wonderful thing for him to do. I had the pleasure of meeting him at this year's Fan Fest. He was obviously enjoying meeting the fans, especially the kids. He was wearing a NFC Champs cap and just beaming. Obviously I hope so see him sporting a Super Bowl Champs cap next Spring!

I've met a ton of famous people from pro athletes to politicians and people in the film industry. Mr. B. is one of a handful that I would like to spend a couple of hours with just talking.
 
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NeverSayDieFan

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WELL DONE!! Mr. B.

For many years I blamed him for the Cardinals' failures on the field. I'd hear of his charitable work from time-to-time but that didn't matter to me nearly as much as winning games. Now, we are BOTH winning games on the field and continuing to do GREAT stuff off of it. Truth is, long after the Super Bowl trophies have all rusted, it's the difference that was made in the lives of others that will be remembered. So, I tip my Cardinal hat to you Mr. B. & your family. GO CARDS! :D
 

Cardsfanstl

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Well done Mr. Bidwill. You do not get near enough respect here in St. Louis that you deserve.
 

Duckjake

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Bill Bidwill has always been a class act. Just didn't know how to run a football team. Especially once Free Agency hit the NFL.
 

Carddan

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Thanks for the post Catfish, another positive slant on OUR team.

Can you think of a better man to win a Lombardi? I know he turned over operation of the team, but he does deserve credit for that also.
 

LarryStalling

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One thing about Mr B. He has done a lot of great things for people. Most of which slides under the radar. People blast him for this and for that, but I salute him for his ability to honor a contract. Over the years, I think he has done a good job of honoring contract and that is one of the hangups with several current contract logjams. (Boldin and Dockett) He expects people to honor their end of the bargain.
 

ajcardfan

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One thing about Mr B. He has done a lot of great things for people. Most of which slides under the radar. People blast him for this and for that, but I salute him for his ability to honor a contract. Over the years, I think he has done a good job of honoring contract and that is one of the hangups with several current contract logjams. (Boldin and Dockett) He expects people to honor their end of the bargain.

This would've been more true about 10 years ago. Since then, the Cards fired McGinnis and Green with a year left on their deals and renegotiated with a whole bunch of players. Mostly because Bidwill Sr. just signs the checks now.
 

LarryStalling

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Remember how he fired Jim Hanifan. Changed the locks on his office door! He was probably afraid to confront a mad Irishman.
 

Buckybird

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Remember how he fired Jim Hanifan. Changed the locks on his office door! He was probably afraid to confront a mad Irishman.

That was Don Coryell because he wanted a pay raise after 2 years of no playoffs.

Mr. B is pretty cool for a soft spoken man. I went to the 1st game at Seahawks Stadium in 2002 & there were about 10 Cards fans down in the endzone after the gates opened. As he & Michael asked each person were they were from they seemed curious in fly all the way from Dallas. Mr. B got me down on the field to watch the game if I worked for it...carrying the team phototgrapher's extra lenses. Great, great experience & will never forget it.
 
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Catfish

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Thanks for the post Catfish, another positive slant on OUR team.

Can you think of a better man to win a Lombardi? I know he turned over operation of the team, but he does deserve credit for that also.[/quote

Dan----I believe that the smile on MY face would almost match his. I also believe that Mr. B truly deserves a Lombardi Trophy. I would love to see him holding it, and I would bet that he would take that smile to his grave.

Gosh, that would be great to see------
 

Buckybird

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Thanks for the post Catfish, another positive slant on OUR team.

Can you think of a better man to win a Lombardi? I know he turned over operation of the team, but he does deserve credit for that also.[/quote

Dan----I believe that the smile on MY face would almost match his. I also believe that Mr. B truly deserves a Lombardi Trophy. I would love to see him holding it, and I would bet that he would take that smile to his grave.

Gosh, that would be great to see------

I'm quite sure Mr. B would have more than 2 scoops after hoisting the Lombardi.
 
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Catfish

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That was Don Coryell because he wanted a pay raise after 2 years of no playoffs.

Mr. B is pretty cool for a soft spoken man. I went to the 1st game at Seahawks Stadium in 2002 & there were about 10 Cards fans down in the endzone after the gates opened. As he & Michael asked each person were they were from they seemed curious in fly all the way from Dallas. Mr. B got me down on the field to watch the game if I worked for it...carrying the team phototgrapher's extra lenses. Great, great experience & will never forget it.

Mr. B is a treasure, although not one that is easy to get to know. He is very private most of the time and shuns the limelight.

I once spent three weeks going door to door and covered my entire precinct during the Rio Salado proposal to build the stadium in Mesa. Even though it failed in the vote, Mr. B. and Michael both came out to Mesa and thanked those of us who helped the effort personally. He really is a kind gentleman, and a true family man. He has my admiration for sure.:)
 

Jetstream Green

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compared to the actions of other owners in the NFL, Bidwill is a saint. Now we can surely accuse him of bad football moves but the man is a gentleman and has a big heart. One of his worst football moves and one of his best had been his history of honoring contracts towards longtime Cardinals in the past when other teams would have dropped them
 

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