OT-Memories of Days Past

[TRW]

I just have to share my thoughts after last night's game. Sorry that it is a personal recollection but I am so excited that I must.

I started following the Cardinals somewhere around 1964 or 1965. My Dad was a baseball Cardinal fan so I just sort of adopted the football Cardinals. Dad was a Green Bay admirer, not a "fan" but he respected Lombardi and the excellence in how they played.

Dad and I would watch whatever NFL game was on fairly regularly but not every Sunday. Pro football was always my favorite sport to watch and I grew up a fan of certain players more than teams. Yet, the Cardinals became my favorite team with Air Coryell and the gang.

When I grew up and had kids of my own, lo and behold, the CARDINALS came to Arizona! That was so exciting and I couldn't wait to take my boys to the games, watch them on TV and buy them Cardinal gear. We could never afford to go to many games but the few we did were so much fun.

Through the years Dad and the boys and myself would sit in my parent's living room every Sunday agonizing through year after year of ineptitude. It just seemed that the football gods had it out for our Redbirds. Yet, there we were, season after season, game after game, shaking our heads and waiting for "next year" to come to do it all over again.

Last night my wife and I went to my eldest son's house to watch the game. Me, my son and my 3 grandsons sat in his living room and watched the game. It took me back to those earlier days with my Dad, me and my sons doing the same thing. Dad has been gone for almost 25 years and never saw the success we are seeing now. Yet, in my heart I know he was there in spirit with us last night cheering the Cards on. I miss him so.

Circle of Life kind of moment. I hope my sons can sit in a living room 25 years from now, with their kids and grandkids and smile as they remember these moments with me. If I am gone I will join them from the next dimension and cheer on the Cards with them.

Go Cards!

 

[AZfaninMN]

I just have to share my thoughts after last night's game. Sorry that it is a personal recollection but I am so excited that I must.



I started following the Cardinals somewhere around 1964 or 1965. My Dad was a baseball Cardinal fan so I just sort of adopted the football Cardinals. Dad was a Green Bay admirer, not a "fan" but he respected Lombardi and the excellence in how they played.



Dad and I would watch whatever NFL game was on fairly regularly but not every Sunday. Pro football was always my favorite sport to watch and I grew up a fan of certain players more than teams. Yet, the Cardinals became my favorite team with Air Coryell and the gang.



When I grew up and had kids of my own, lo and behold, the CARDINALS came to Arizona! That was so exciting and I couldn't wait to take my boys to the games, watch them on TV and buy them Cardinal gear. We could never afford to go to many games but the few we did were so much fun.



Through the years Dad and the boys and myself would sit in my parent's living room every Sunday agonizing through year after year of ineptitude. It just seemed that the football gods had it out for our Redbirds. Yet, there we were, season after season, game after game, shaking our heads and waiting for "next year" to come to do it all over again.



Last night my wife and I went to my eldest son's house to watch the game. Me, my son and my 3 grandsons sat in his living room and watched the game. It took me back to those earlier days with my Dad, me and my sons doing the same thing. Dad has been gone for almost 25 years and never saw the success we are seeing now. Yet, in my heart I know he was there in spirit with us last night cheering the Cards on. I miss him so.



Circle of Life kind of moment. I hope my sons can sit in a living room 25 years from now, with their kids and grandkids and smile as they remember these moments with me. If I am gone I will join them from the next dimension and cheer on the Cards with them.



Go Cards!

Thank you for sharing. I've been a cardinals fan since 1993 when I was 3. Now that I live in MN I just had my first son and he's loaded up in cardinals gear. My dad (Wisconsincard) and I try and make it to a road game every year and this year was number 21. My hope is in 3 years when my son is 3 he will be there right along side my dad and I cheering for the cardinals. Hopefully in 25 years I can do the same as you and think back when it was just my dad and my son with me at the games as I'm doing the same with my grandkids and son.

GO CARDINALS!


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[AZCrazy]

Sports have a way of creating lasting moments for families that few other things can. My own kids are morphing into great Cards fans and it warms my heart tremendously.

 

[phillycard]

TRW awesome post brother. It's sentiments like these that make the season even more special.

 

[Catfish]

Great job TRW-------yours is the way that a fan base is built over the years. Keep it up my friend and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

 

[Garthshort]

Priceless!

 

[USAFMEDIC]

I just have to share my thoughts after last night's game. Sorry that it is a personal recollection but I am so excited that I must.

I started following the Cardinals somewhere around 1964 or 1965. My Dad was a baseball Cardinal fan so I just sort of adopted the football Cardinals. Dad was a Green Bay admirer, not a "fan" but he respected Lombardi and the excellence in how they played.

Dad and I would watch whatever NFL game was on fairly regularly but not every Sunday. Pro football was always my favorite sport to watch and I grew up a fan of certain players more than teams. Yet, the Cardinals became my favorite team with Air Coryell and the gang.

When I grew up and had kids of my own, lo and behold, the CARDINALS came to Arizona! That was so exciting and I couldn't wait to take my boys to the games, watch them on TV and buy them Cardinal gear. We could never afford to go to many games but the few we did were so much fun.

Through the years Dad and the boys and myself would sit in my parent's living room every Sunday agonizing through year after year of ineptitude. It just seemed that the football gods had it out for our Redbirds. Yet, there we were, season after season, game after game, shaking our heads and waiting for "next year" to come to do it all over again.

Last night my wife and I went to my eldest son's house to watch the game. Me, my son and my 3 grandsons sat in his living room and watched the game. It took me back to those earlier days with my Dad, me and my sons doing the same thing. Dad has been gone for almost 25 years and never saw the success we are seeing now. Yet, in my heart I know he was there in spirit with us last night cheering the Cards on. I miss him so.

Circle of Life kind of moment. I hope my sons can sit in a living room 25 years from now, with their kids and grandkids and smile as they remember these moments with me. If I am gone I will join them from the next dimension and cheer on the Cards with them.

Go Cards!

Great story. I grew up in St Louis a Big Red fan. We had the 70s run with Metcalf, Gray, and Hart. Never won a playoff game in St Louis. Like most St Louisans, I was hurt when they left. The Rams helped the pain for a while, but they never replaced the Big Red. Bidwill did what he had to do by moving the team. St Louis offered him nothing and he was playing in a rented baseball stadium. A lot of years at Sun Devil, but it has turned out to be a great move. Arizona has taken great care of the Cardinals. Best stadium in America, and awesome fans that fill the place, despite what Jerry Jones might think. 22 years in the Air Force took me away from the day to day followings. Retired now and coming to my first game in Glendale this year. May be asking for advice. Looking forward to meeting many of you there.

 

[PACardsFan]

I just have to share my thoughts after last night's game. Sorry that it is a personal recollection but I am so excited that I must.

I started following the Cardinals somewhere around 1964 or 1965. My Dad was a baseball Cardinal fan so I just sort of adopted the football Cardinals. Dad was a Green Bay admirer, not a "fan" but he respected Lombardi and the excellence in how they played.

Dad and I would watch whatever NFL game was on fairly regularly but not every Sunday. Pro football was always my favorite sport to watch and I grew up a fan of certain players more than teams. Yet, the Cardinals became my favorite team with Air Coryell and the gang.

When I grew up and had kids of my own, lo and behold, the CARDINALS came to Arizona! That was so exciting and I couldn't wait to take my boys to the games, watch them on TV and buy them Cardinal gear. We could never afford to go to many games but the few we did were so much fun.

Through the years Dad and the boys and myself would sit in my parent's living room every Sunday agonizing through year after year of ineptitude. It just seemed that the football gods had it out for our Redbirds. Yet, there we were, season after season, game after game, shaking our heads and waiting for "next year" to come to do it all over again.

Last night my wife and I went to my eldest son's house to watch the game. Me, my son and my 3 grandsons sat in his living room and watched the game. It took me back to those earlier days with my Dad, me and my sons doing the same thing. Dad has been gone for almost 25 years and never saw the success we are seeing now. Yet, in my heart I know he was there in spirit with us last night cheering the Cards on. I miss him so.

Circle of Life kind of moment. I hope my sons can sit in a living room 25 years from now, with their kids and grandkids and smile as they remember these moments with me. If I am gone I will join them from the next dimension and cheer on the Cards with them.

Go Cards!

Awesome!!! Just a great memory to share. It's amazing how similar my story is. I became a Cardinal football fan in 1964 too. Even though my family is from Syracuse, NY, my Dad grew up a baseball Cardinal fan. We had just watched the St. Louis Cardinals beat the NY Yankees in the 64 WS. I was never happier seeing my Dad gloat about his Cardinals. After the game there was a advertisement about an upcoming NFL game. I had no recollection of having watched a pro football game before. I only remember my Dad watching the Syracuse Orangemen play football. I took the opportunity to ask Dad who his favorite pro football team was. He said he didn't have one growing up because pro football wasn't all that popular in the 40's. He told me to pick a team. I grabbed the newspaper & went through the all the teams & noticed that there was a St. Louis Cardinal football team. Wow! How cool was that. They became our team through thick & thin. Way more thin times, especially after the move to AZ. After the 2009 NFC Championship Game, I called my Dad to celebrate over the phone. We were so choked up, we couldn't talk. I had to call him later after I composed myself. Today, all my sons are Cardinal fans & we cherish watching the games together. My Dad is in his eighties now, and only a shell of himself. But, my sister's make sure he gets to watch the Cardinals when they happen to be on. I'd be surprised if my Dad lived through this year, so I'm praying the Cardinals win the SB. If they beat Carolina, I'll pack the family & we'll watch the SB in Syracuse this year. Go Cards!!!

 

[oaken1]

Awesome!!! Just a great memory to share. It's amazing how similar my story is. I became a Cardinal football fan in 1964 too. Even though my family is from Syracuse, NY, my Dad grew up a baseball Cardinal fan. We had just watched the St. Louis Cardinals beat the NY Yankees in the 64 WS. I was never happier seeing my Dad gloat about his Cardinals. After the game there was a advertisement about an upcoming NFL game. I had no recollection of having watched a pro football game before. I only remember my Dad watching the Syracuse Orangemen play football. I took the opportunity to ask Dad who his favorite pro football team was. He said he didn't have one growing up because pro football wasn't all that popular in the 40's. He told me to pick a team. I grabbed the newspaper & went through the all the teams & noticed that there was a St. Louis Cardinal football team. Wow! How cool was that. They became our team through thick & thin. Way more thin times, especially after the move to AZ. After the 2009 NFC Championship Game, I called my Dad to celebrate over the phone. We were so choked up, we couldn't talk. I had to call him later after I composed myself. Today, all my sons are Cardinal fans & we cherish watching the games together. My Dad is in his eighties now, and only a shell of himself. But, my sister's make sure he gets to watch the Cardinals when they happen to be on. I'd be surprised if my Dad lived through this year, so I'm praying the Cardinals win the SB. If they beat Carolina, I'll pack the family & we'll watch the SB in Syracuse this year. Go Cards!!!

Good luck. From my heart, I hope your father gets to see the redbirds win a championship. Not as a fan, but as a man, I wish this for him.

 

[PACardsFan]

Good luck. From my heart, I hope your father gets to see the redbirds win a championship. Not as a fan, but as a man, I wish this for him.

Thanks so much

 

[MadBird]

I started following the Cardinals in 1972. I was 11 years old. I grew up in Memphis. Back then, Memphis got 3 teams regularly on TV. The Cowboys, the Saints, and the Cardinals. But we got all the Cardinals football games on radio (Jack Buck did the football too as I recall) Memphis also is a big Cardinals baseball town.... My dad and my younger brother were Cowboys fans, but I just liked the Cardinals...for some reason I was always drawn to their uniforms. I thought they looked cool! Then came the mid-70's and quite a bit of success and I was really hooked! My dad may have been a Cowboys fan, but he loved me enough to take me to St.Louis to see the Cardinals in person a couple of times in the 70s. Of course the next 25 years were a curse, but he was the 1st phone call I got when the Cardinals won the NFC Championship in 2009. He was truly happy that all my years of loyalty had finally paid off... Now, I just want to win the Superbowl!

 

[Osbern61]

I started following the Cardinals in 1972. I was 11 years old. I grew up in Memphis. Back then, Memphis got 3 teams regularly on TV. The Cowboys, the Saints, and the Cardinals. But we got all the Cardinals football games on radio (Jack Buck did the football too as I recall) Memphis also is a big Cardinals baseball town.... My dad and my younger brother were Cowboys fans, but I just liked the Cardinals...for some reason I was always drawn to their uniforms. I thought they looked cool! Then came the mid-70's and quite a bit of success and I was really hooked! My dad may have been a Cowboys fan, but he loved me enough to take me to St.Louis to see the Cardinals in person a couple of times in the 70s. Of course the next 25 years were a curse, but he was the 1st phone call I got when the Cardinals won the NFC Championship in 2009. He was truly happy that all my years of loyalty had finally paid off... Now, I just want to win the Superbowl!

There are a lot of parallels in our Cardinal fandom, MadBird! Same age, same year following the Cards, family members routing for rivals(in my case, the Eagles). Great to be a Cardinal fan isn't it?!

 

[Cardsfanstl]

Grew up in St. Louis and still live here. Been following the Big Red since 1973 since I was 8. Watched many games with my dad during the 70's. My uncle had end zone season tickets to Busch Stadium and I went to about 2 games a year with him. Awesome time. Only time I was not able to follow them was from 1983-1988 when I was overseas in the military. Never embraced the Rams when they came here in 1995. Stayed with the Big Red.

Have no kids but have a niece who shares my passion for football. Even though she is a Saints fans we watch football every Sunday together.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Great story TRW!!

I became a fan in '64 or '65 myself. I was in high school in a small town in southern New Mexico. Practically everyone there was a Cowboy fan. I wanted to root for another team, I didn't like the Giants or Eagles and like so many others here, the bird on the helmet and the white on white uniforms just got to me.

I played on our high school football team (outside linebacker at 138lbs dripping wet.. lol) and on the tee shirt I wore under my shoulder pads, I crudely wrote... Crow 44.

You know the rest....

 

[MadBird]

There are a lot of parallels in our Cardinal fandom, MadBird! Same age, same year following the Cards, family members routing for rivals(in my case, the Eagles). Great to be a Cardinal fan isn't it?!

Yes! for some reason I enjoyed be the black sheep in the family...when everyone around me was cheering the stupid Cowboys on - I was cheering when they lost and the Cardinals won!

 

[BigRedRage]

great story. gave me goosebumps. Kudos to you sir!