Big Red alumni to gather Sunday at dome
In what has become a recent tradition at the Edward Jones Dome, alumni of St. Louis’ past pro football franchise will gather at Sunday’s Rams-Cardinals game _ with Bill Bidwill picking up the tab.
Bidwill, owner of the Arizona Cardinals, rents out a suite for the game and provides food and drink for former St. Louis Cardinals. The franchise was based in St. Louis from 1960-87.
Each former player can bring a guest as well, and more than a dozen former players show up each year. Among those expected to attend this year include G/C Irv Goode, WR Mel Gray, RB Willard Harrell, TE Doug Marsh, DT Bob Rowe, LB Larry Stallings, CB Roger Wehrli, and G Keith Wortman.
“It’s a pretty good deal,” said Harrell, who played for the Cardinals from 1978-84 and now owns an insurance company in St. Louis. “It was a long time coming, but I guess Mr. Bidwill realizes we contributed to the Cardinals’ history.”
And to the history of pro football in St. Louis. The players will be on the field during pre-game. Bidwill and family members usually drop by the suite before and during the game.
I remember the Old FB Cardinals theme/fight song! I think that’s what the Lambs, err…..Rams need—a good strong fight song!!!!!
Once again let us remember that even tho Billie and Co did a good thing by moving to AZ, he still stabbed us in the back when it came time to do as he promised and vote us a franchise that is now the down and out Jaguars. (nee Stallions) AND it still took many frustrating years for the Gridbirds to finally do well and that is ONLY because Billie turned over operation of the franchise to his son, Michael. We would have suffered 20+ poor years here had he stayed. To me the man is NOT welcome. He left and tried to nail the coffin shut so please rent the box for our friends from bygone era’s and stay in AZ.
I am a RAM fan. I have seen them move a time or two since I started cheering for them. No matter where they are, I cheer for them and not their opponent. I don’t care about St. Louis’ old team (although I like Warner). The Cardinals are the Rams’ opponent. Why honour players from our opponent’s past? Are the Browns going to have a pre-game ceremony for Ram players from the Rams’ days in Cleveland? The Cards abandoned StL. They are gone. If there are people fondly recalling the “good ol days” of StL Cardinals, remember that the Cards STUNK while in StL.
The former Cards players should go to AZ to reminisce. The RAMS have StL now. (at least until the team is sold to Rush)
I am now a RAMS fan. I was a Cardinal fan while they were in St Louis. Regardless of what you may personally think of Mr. Bidwell; renting the suite for his former players is a NICE thing to do. I will be at the game Sunday pulling for the Rams, but I will also stand and applaud these former NFL players whom I pulled for in days gone by. What is wrong with doing something Nice?
Why doesn’t anyone cheer for me when I attend high school football games? Shouldn’t they recognize my achievements on the field? Why do they say, “Hey fat old guy! Get the heck off the field!”?
but remember he didn,t vote against the rams. he also said at the city of st.louis deserved a football team.politics should stay out of sports
Thirty years ago, these former Bid Red players couldn’t stand the guy; now he springs for a luxury box and suddenly it’s Old Home Week at the Dome.
Give me a break; Bidwill was a jackass then, and he hasn’t changed a bit.
Hey, Bill — Crown Candy called; they’re stocking up on chocolate syrup for this weekend. Bring your bib.
The Big Red were a part of St louis…and whether you like it or not…so was Bill Bidwell. It wasn’t a fun time for many St. Louisans when we lost pro football after the ‘87 season. Time heals wounds…the scab has… after 22 years…fallen off. Why should we not honor these guys who fought on the field for our team, our town.
I say welcome to my former heroes of the gridiron…thank you for the memories.
Cool. Big Red reunion. Irving Fryar, Turner Gill, Grant Wistrom, Mike Rozier … But why would a bunch of Nebraska Cornhuskers gather in St. Louis?