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Did the Arizona Cardinals Really Do That?

By
Real Estate Agent with Chuck Willman 9334967-SA00

Buy Tickets to the SuperBowl - From Official Arizona Cardinals Site

 

You could live anywhere in the country and wonder what just happened.

You don't have to witness it first-hand, like we have.

The Arizona Cardinals have been one of *the* perennial hard-luck teams.

In their 21 years in the Valley, they had one winning season.

During that season they went to the play-offs. They won one game, then lost the next.

An original members of the NFL- that was their only shot anywhere near the Super Bowl.

You'd have to go back to 1947 to find a championship of any kind.

So... it came as quite a surprise that this team got off to a fair start this season.

Then, it was an even larger shock that theymade the playoffs and beat Atlanta.

Then Carolina.

This team from the weakest conference in football somehow managed to upend two teams from the strongest conference.

Their porous defense held two of the three best running backs (as measured in yards per game) to miserable lows.

The pundits were shocked.

The opponents were shocked.

Anyone who knew anything about football just couldn't believe that the weakest team in the playoffs was winning.

Winnig BIG, even.

I'd like to say that I saw this coming.

I've been a fan... but a largely silent one.

Many years ago my father was invited to try out for the Cardinals.

I've followed them through years of futility.

Like following the Chicago Cubs- it's difficult to root for the Cardinals out loud.

There are just too many naysayers who well let you know how silly it is to make a case for your team.

There are a few unwritten rules in sports.

The Cubs don't go to the World Series... and the Cardinals don't go to the Super Bowl.

It's just the way it has been for many, many decades.

All that changed Sunday.

And I still can't believe it.

Feb. 1 is the biggest day in television.

For $100,000 you can buy 1 second of air time on a program seen around the world.

Of course, they'll make you buy the other 29 seconds to go along with it.

Three million dollars is what you pay for a Super Bowl commercial.

This- for a game involving our Cardinals?

They've hit the big time.

They played like a team.

They ignored their doubters.

And they've made it... they have a chance to win it all.

Of course, the odds are against them...

... just as they've been all season.

Can the Cardinals win?

We'll soon find out.

----

For tickets to the game, go to the official site by clicking on the image above of this text link: AZCardinals.com

"NFL", "Cardinals", "Steelers" and "Super Bowl" are licensed and trademarked by their respective organizations.

Comments(19)

Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I have to say that I'm really happy for you guys!  Your coach (who came to you from Pittsburgh) is well-respected, especially considering he's one of us!  Well, used to be.  Good luck in the Super Bowl but I think the ride stops here!  (A little good-natured ribbing for you!)

~Renae

Jan 21, 2009 10:47 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

I like both the Cardinals and the Steelers, actually, which probably sounds weird coming from a Cowboys fan.  I am rooting for Kurt Warner this year!

Jan 21, 2009 12:15 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Chuck, Three MILLION?  I can't imagine what it costs to create the commercials.  I honestly watch the game for the commericials but hope the Cardinals win so you'll be happy :)

Jan 21, 2009 01:29 PM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

I'm still blown away that the Cardinals are in the Super Bowl...the Cardinals!  Did it snow in Phoenix last Sunday?  LOL

Jan 21, 2009 02:30 PM
Andrew Monaghan
The Monaghan Group - Glendale, AZ
CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

Its almost impossible to believe, I was at the game on Sunday and I have never felt a atmosphere like it.

 

Jan 22, 2009 02:21 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Renae- The Steelers/Cardinals connection is even deeper than I knew. The teams combined for a season many decades ago... As Chicago/Pittsburgh they were winless.

Jason- VERY odd coming from a Cowboys fan. But yeah... it's very easy to cheer Warner on. He's such a class-act guy.

Carole- Can you believe it? It's just amazing how far-reaching this one event is.

Kent- I know! It's just beyond believable that they've turned it around in such a big way.

Andrew- I heard the building was just boomingly loud... finally- a home field advantage place to play... it's made a huge difference.

Jan 22, 2009 12:43 PM
Bill Risser
Fidelity National Title - Saint Petersburg, FL
Fidelity National Title - Tampa District

Chuck,

I moved here from San Diego in 1999.  The Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl before the Chargers???  What???  What an unbelievable run so far.  I hope the Red Birds dismantle the Steelers on FEB 1.  GO CARDS!!!!

Jan 22, 2009 12:48 PM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Bill- You traveled the other way?!? I figured the Phoenix/San Diego trips were usually one sided & tipped in the direction of the beach. Yes... before the Chargers? Who would have ever imagined? Thed *did* get close though!

Jan 22, 2009 12:51 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

They also thought Obama didn't have a chance.  Who knows.  It would be awesome if Arizona wins!

Jan 22, 2009 02:42 PM
Lea Lagueux
Future Home Realty - Saint Petersburg, FL
Your Tampa - St Petersburg Local REALTOR

Only a Bucaneer's fan, like me, can truly appreciate what Cardinal's fans are feeling. You want to hope it can happen, but almost afraid to!

Well this Tampa native is glad you're coming to town. Looking foward to a great game and kinda leaning toward the Cards, 'cause I've been a big fan of Kurt Warner since his Ram's days. And besides - after all these years - you deserve it!

Go Cards!

Lea Lagueux ePro

http://www.luxuryhomes4superbowl.com

Jan 22, 2009 05:31 PM
Teresa Berry
Seattle, WA

Chuck, great piece! Silent fan no more! Love hearing about the Cardinals rise and will be rooting for your home team - only because they're your home team - really, it has nothing to do with the Steelers ending our run a few years back...really :)  - win or lose - i'm a fan of our home team -but that's our secret this year ok?!  What an exciting time for AZ - Have a Day!!!!

Jan 23, 2009 05:59 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Chuck - Being from the St. Louis area, I am definitely a Kurt Warner fan.  I'll be cheering for the Cardinals at this year's Super Bowl!  :)

Jan 24, 2009 04:06 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Joan- I know. It *would* be awesome if Arizona wins. (OK. I'm intentionally interpreting your comment incorrectly.)

Lea- I was thinking of the Bucaneers... it's a very similar thing. Yes... Kurt... he's doing the impossible again.

Teresa- That's too funny. It *is* a bit easier to root for any team to beat the team who just beat your team.

Debi- I'm sure you're not alone... our sports talk radio has many St. Louis callers lately... he left a large imprint on that city. It's nice to see that people still root for people rather than just jerseys.

Jan 24, 2009 04:30 PM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Chuck - When Kurt comes to St. Louis and is playing against us, St. Louis always gives him a standing ovation...  We were sorry to see him go.       :)

Jan 25, 2009 12:13 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Debi- That says quite a bit about him. He's such an easy person to like... he's confident yet humble and very much a person who knows how to rally his team. I don't know what'll happen next sunday- but it seems this much is certain... Pittsburgh will have a plan geared to try to stop him.

Jan 25, 2009 12:24 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Chuck - I just hope the team protects him and doesn't let him get sacked.   :)

Jan 25, 2009 06:26 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Debi- That will be key... if he has time... they have a chance. If he's unprotected- game over.

Jan 26, 2009 10:56 AM
Paul Guenther - WFG Title
WFG NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY - Flagstaff, AZ
The Extra Mile Is Part Of My Regular Route!

Chuck,

 I have to admit, I thought they were going to throw it all away in the third quarter. I am shocked the pulled it out.  How are we all going to react this coming Sunday night when the win the SB?  No more can we the management and ownership of the Cards.  If there is is a deserving team it has to be the Cards!

Jan 26, 2009 11:22 PM
Dawn Helena Anderson
Coldwell Banker - Quality Properties - Porter Ranch, CA
Realtor Since 1998

Gotta Love Kurt Warner he is a great Quarterback!  I am definitely down for the Cardinals 1st Superbowl.  I always say "If You Love Football then You're A Friend of Mine"  I am originally from Wisconsin so of course I am a Green Bay Packer fan!   When I used to sell real estate in Wisconsin it was a big NO NO to have an Open House on Football Day.  Open Houses were on Saturdays during the Football Season.   Go Cardinals! 

Jan 27, 2009 01:58 PM