The NFL community was dealt a serious blow when news that former Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill had passed away at the age of 88 years old. Bidwill owned the franchise from 1972 to 2006. His son, and current Cardinals president, Michael said, “Above all else, we will remember him as a man devoted to the three central pillars of his life–his immense faith, his love for his family and his lifelong passion for the Cardinals and the sport of football.”
During that time he oversaw many firsts in league history. His team hired the first black female executive (Adele Harris), the first black contract negotiator in the NFL (Bob Wallace, and the first-ever African-American head coach-general manager tandem (Dennis Green and Rod Graves). In 2015, the Cardinals named their fellowship program to promote and increase diversity within all NFL coaching staff after Bidwill.
16-year veteran Larry Fitzgerald, who spent his entire career with the Cardinals said the following about Mr. Bidwill, “Now you hear everybody talking about diversity and minority hires, back when he first started doing it that was not the norm…He didn’t care about the color of your skin or race or the gender, if he felt like you could do the job to the best of your ability to help us become better then you were the right person for it.”
https://twitter.com/azcardinals/status/1179461520469585920?s=21
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shared his sentiments too, “Bill Bidwill was part of the NFL family his entire life, starting from his days as a ball boy through his time as an owner…[Bill] made extraordinary contributions to the NFL. Bill’s vision brought the Cardinals, the NFL and multiple Super Bowls to Arizona. He was a leader in embracing diversity…We extend our condolences to Bill’s family and the Cardinals organization, which along with his faith, meant so much to him.”
Teams around the league shared their condolences as well:
https://twitter.com/atlantafalcons/status/1179490550233407496?s=21
https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/1179496687674560514?s=21
https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1179494041597235201?s=21
https://twitter.com/browns/status/1179498005201870849?s=21
Our hearts go out to the Bidwill family and the @AZCardinals organization. https://t.co/carmUx4drm
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 2, 2019
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 2, 2019
Statement from #Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy on Bill Bidwill pic.twitter.com/aGFuenRG54
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 2, 2019
Statement from Janice and Cal McNair on the passing of @AZCardinals owner Bill Bidwill. pic.twitter.com/qWyIvpLBcU
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 2, 2019
Rest in peace, Bill Bidwill, legendary owner of the Cardinals. Bill was involved with our league since 1932, and was a leader on the initiative of minority front office hiring. My sympathies go out to Michael, the entire Bidwill family and the Cardinals organization.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 2, 2019
Statement from Chairman & CEO Clark Hunt on the passing of Cardinals Owner Bill Bidwill. pic.twitter.com/WMLJyejN6Y
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 2, 2019
Our hearts are with the @AZCardinals and the Bidwill family đź’™ pic.twitter.com/OBudUfeLAf
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 2, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arizona Cardinals and the Bidwill family. https://t.co/w4RQpnZeYZ
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 2, 2019
Statement from the Wilf family on the passing of Bill Bidwell pic.twitter.com/fjXoUfHYrc
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 2, 2019
Sending our sincerest sympathies to the @AZCardinals and the Bidwill Family. pic.twitter.com/37k93j4R18
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 2, 2019
Statement from Saints owner Gayle Benson on the passing of @AZCardinals owner Bill Bidwill pic.twitter.com/sKen9q1Vcb
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 3, 2019
On behalf of the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization, we send our sincerest condolences to the Arizona Cardinals and the Bidwill family on the passing of @AZCardinals owner, Bill Bidwill. https://t.co/DOwdhKcljH
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 2, 2019
A statement from the York family on the passing of @AZCardinals Owner Bill Bidwill. pic.twitter.com/wQvIi6xlxV
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 2, 2019
Our hearts are heavy to hear the news of the passing of @AZCardinals owner, Bill Bidwill. On behalf of the entire Seahawks organization, we send our sincerest condolences to the Arizona Cardinals and the Bidwill family. đź’™ https://t.co/aKS487mHGI
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 2, 2019
Our thoughts are with the @AZCardinals and the Bidwill family. pic.twitter.com/erGDCdsE2w
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 2, 2019
#Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk on the passing of @AZCardinals owner Bill Bidwill pic.twitter.com/VLtqTB02Ri
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 2, 2019
Statement from Redskins owner Dan Snyder. pic.twitter.com/YdeFGMFd59
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) October 2, 2019
Bidwill is survived by his five children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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