The Best Arizona Cardinals of All Time
A list of the best Arizona Cardinals of all time. A charter member of the NFL, the Cardinals were originally based in Chicago when they first joined the league. The team spent 49 years in the Windy City before moving to St. Louis ahead of the 1960 season. Those early Cardinals teams features multiple Hall of Famers like Charley Trippi, Ernie Nevers and John "Paddy" Driscoll. The last Cardinals team to win a championship was based in Chicago, and the year was 1947.
The St. Louis Cardinals featured some great players as well. Dan Dierdorf is a Hall of Fame lineman who spent his entire 13 year career in St. Louis. The same goes for Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith and cornerback Roger Wehrli. These players were some of the best Cardinals in team history. Ottis Anderson is considered one of the greatest Cardinals ever. Though the team made the playoffs only once during his time with the team, Anderson still holds several team records.
The Cardinals are currently based in Phoenix, and are now called the Arizona Cardinals. Larry Fitzgerald, the team's superstar receiver and one of the best receivers in football, is bound for Canton and in 2008, the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl behind Fitzgerald, quarterback Kurt Warner and receiver Anquan Boldin. These players are considered the best Cardinals ever.
This is the list of the best Arizona Cardinals of all time. If you see someone missing from this list, feel free to add him. Vote or rerank this list according to who you think is the greatest Arizona Cardinals player of all time.- 1Wide receiver
- 2Quarterback
Undeniably one of the most inspiring success stories in NFL history, Kurt Warner's tenure with the Arizona Cardinals is punctuated by his steadfast determination and unrivaled leadership. Arriving in Arizona with a chip on his shoulder after being cast aside by other teams, Warner immediately rekindled the magic that once made him a two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion. Warner's legendary playoff performances propelled the Cardinals to new heights, nearly capturing the organization's first Lombardi Trophy and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever don the Cardinals' uniform.
- 3Cornerback
As one of the most versatile and dynamic athletes to ever suit up for the Arizona Cardinals, Patrick Peterson has displayed a level of skill and athleticism that few can match. The consummate shutdown corner, Peterson is often tasked with shadowing the opposing team's best receiver, effectively taking them out of the game with ease. Known for electrifying punt returns early in his career, Peterson's innate ability to change the course of a game in an instant has been a true testament to his talent and sheer will to win.
An embodiment of courage and sacrifice, the late Pat Tillman will forever be remembered as one of the Arizona Cardinals' most iconic players. Renowned for his passionate play and tenacious style, Tillman's relentless pursuit of excellence on the football field served as a precursor to his decision to walk away from the game to serve his country. While his life was tragically cut short during his military service, Tillman's legacy as a Cardinal and American hero will forever be etched in history.
- 5Wide receiver
The epitome of toughness and resilience, Anquan Boldin's career with the Arizona Cardinals was defined by his ability to overcome adversity and excel on the gridiron. A gritty playmaker with an uncanny ability to make contested catches, Boldin consistently put his body on the line to help bring success to the Cardinals' franchise. As part of one of the most prolific duos in NFL history alongside Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin played an integral role in the team's rise to prominence during his tenure in Arizona.
- 6Cornerback
A true trailblazer and Hall of Fame inductee, Dick "Night Train" Lane's time with the Cardinals was marked by his status as one of the most feared and respected defensive backs in the league. Known for his legendary, bone-crunching tackles and jaw-dropping interceptions, Lane left an indelible mark on the game during his tenure in Chicago and St. Louis. As an innovator and dominant force on the field, Lane's impact on the Cardinals franchise and the NFL as a whole cannot be understated.
