Arizona Cardinals · Franchise era 2 of 7
Champions, then a long goodbye: the Arizona Cardinals story
Franchise era
1947—1959
Champions, then a long goodbye
Arizona Cardinals
The story in one sentence
The Million Dollar Backfield delivered the 1947 championship and another title-game trip before declining attendance led the franchise west.
The 1947 title becomes Chicago's final peak
Charley Trippi, Pat Harder and Ollie Matson gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the st. louis football cardinals.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1947
What came before
The Cardinals helped form the league in Chicago and survived its unstable first decades while building an identity around versatile backs and hard-nosed defense.
1947-12-28
Conference Championship: Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Cardinals
1948-12-19
Conference Championship: Chicago Cardinals vs Philadelphia Eagles
After 1959
What came next
St. Louis produced explosive, entertaining contenders in the 1970s but never found the postseason breakthrough needed to secure the franchise's future there.
The core