Login

Register | Forgot Your Password? | Close
The Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals have been in existence since the team moved here from St. Louis in 1988.

In that time they have had 225 draft picks, but none more important than the third round pick they used in 2001 on a safety out of North Carolina State named Adrian Wilson.

At the time, the Cardinals were coming off of a 3-13 season and had put up just one winning season in their time in the desert. They were easily considered one of the worst organizations in professional sports.

Wilson could have easily bid his time in Arizona, accepted all the losing, and bid Arizona farewell when his rookie contract ended. But he wasn't wired that way. He wanted to win and he wanted to win here.

Wilson believed he could change the perception of this organization, and he did. Not singlehandedly, he had plenty of help from future draft picks like Darnell Dockett, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle and a few others. But Wilson was here first.

He had the greatest impact. He was the leader when those other players got here and because he was OK being here, they were OK being here. They changed the culture, they changed the perception, they changed the mentality. And in a five-year span from 2007-11, the Arizona Cardinals had only one losing season.

Many had a hand in making the Arizona Cardinals relevant, but none more so than #24.

John Gambadoro, Co-host of Burns & Gambo

3 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
  • Add A Comment 
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Well said, Gambo
    It cannot be understated how important Wilson was to this team. I hope he has several more productive years in the NFL, and returns home to the Ring of Honor one day.
  • Abuse
    AZ Hope wrote...
    Wilson
    Adrian Wison was my favorite player. The only jersey I have. Thanks for all those bone crunching hits. I will miss them. He made me proud to be a Cardinals fan.
  • Abuse
    BirdCity wrote...
    A DUB
    You will be missed in so many ways #24! You were a true leader and a definite trend setter for our team! Whoever takes over your position has some HUGE shoes to fill!!!
close

Share: