Bill Bidwill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Bidwill
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|---|---|
| Born |
William Vogel Bidwill
July 31, 1931 |
| Died | October 2, 2019 (aged 88) |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1962–2019 |
| Known for | Principal owner and chairman of the Arizona Cardinals |
| Board member of | Chair (Arizona Cardinals) |
| Children | 5; including Michael |
| Parent(s) | Charles Bidwill Violet Bidwill |
| Awards | NFL Alumni Order of the Leather Helmet (1982) |
William "Bill" Bidwill (born July 31, 1931 – died October 2, 2019) was an American businessman. He was best known as the owner of the Arizona Cardinals, a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL).
The Bidwill family has owned the Cardinals team since 1932. Bill co-owned the team with his brother, Charles Jr., starting in 1962. He became the only owner in 1972 and remained so until he passed away in 2019.
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About Bill Bidwill's Early Life
Bill Bidwill was born in Chicago. He and his older brother, Charles, were adopted by Charles and Violet Bidwill. His adoptive parents already owned the Chicago Cardinals football team.
Bill went to Georgetown Preparatory School. After that, he joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1956. He then attended Georgetown University. After college, he moved to St. Louis just before the Cardinals team moved there too.
The Cardinals Football Team's Journey
The Bidwill family has a long history with the Cardinals team.
Starting in Chicago
Bill's father, Charles Bidwill, bought the team in 1933 when it was called the Chicago Cardinals. After Charles passed away in 1947, his wife, Violet, took over. She later married Walter Wolfner, who also helped manage the team.
Moving to St. Louis
Before the 1960 football season, Violet moved the Cardinals team to St. Louis. When their mother, Violet, died in 1962, Bill and his brother Charles Jr. became co-owners. They shared ownership for ten seasons. In 1972, Bill bought the team completely and became the sole owner.
The Cardinals are one of the few NFL teams that have been owned by the same family for a very long time. Only the Chicago Bears and New York Giants have been with one family longer.
The Arizona Cardinals Era
During Bill Bidwill's time as owner, the team didn't win many championships. They made it to the playoffs only eight times between 1962 and 2015.
In 1988, Bill moved the team to Phoenix, Arizona. This happened because St. Louis would not build a new stadium for the team. The team was then renamed the Phoenix Cardinals.
For many years, the Cardinals were known for not spending much money on players. However, after the team moved into State Farm Stadium in 2006, they started to spend more. This helped the team improve.
In 2008, the Cardinals won their division for the first time since 1975. They even reached the Super Bowl XLIII, which is the championship game of the NFL. They won their division again in 2009 and 2015.
In 2022, Bill Bidwill was honored by the Arizona Cardinals. His name was added to the team's Ring of Honor, along with his father, Charles.
Bill Bidwill's Family Life
Bill Bidwill gave most of the daily control of the Cardinals team to his sons, Michael and Bill Jr. Michael became the team president, and Bill Jr. became the vice president. Bill also had two other sons, Patrick and Tim, and a daughter, Nicole.
After another NFL owner, Ralph Wilson, passed away in 2014, Bill Bidwill became the owner who had been with his team the longest in the entire NFL.
His Passing
Bill Bidwill passed away on October 2, 2019, at 88 years old. At that time, he was still the longest-serving owner in the NFL.
