Cardinals to induct former QB Jim Hart into Ring of Honor

The Arizona Cardinals will be inducting another member into their Ring of Honor in the 2017 season, as quarterback Jim Hart will get the nod.

The Cardinals have not determined which game it will happen.

“The Ring of Honor is reserved for those who have made the most extraordinary contributions to the Cardinals organization and Jim Hart is absolutely in that category,” said Cardinals president Michael Bidwill said. “When you look back at his career, two things really jump out: excellence and longevity.

“He is our franchise’s career leader in nearly every passing category which is commendable in its own right. But an undrafted quarterback going on to play 18 seasons and 199 games may be even more remarkable and unlikely to ever be duplicated. The impact he had on the Cardinals was undeniable and we are thrilled that he will have this permanent place of honor within our franchise.”

Hart will become the 17th member, with the most recent inductees being Roy Green, Adrian Wilson, Kurt Warner and Aeneas Williams.

He is the first inductee since Larry Wilson, in 2006, who did not play for the team in Arizona.

Hart played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1966 to 1983, and to this day is the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards, with 34,639, as well as pass attempts (5,069), completions (2,590) and touchdown passes (209).

He led the Cardinals to three straight 10-win seasons from 1974 to 1976 as well as back-to-back NFC East titles in 1974 and 1975.

Hart, who made it to four Pro Bowls, spent the 1984 season with the Washington Redskins before retiring.

The Ring of Honor started in 2006, when the Cardinals moved into University of Phoenix Stadium. Other members include former owner Charles Bidwill, coach Jimmy Conzelman as well as players Ernie Nevers, John “Paddy” Driscoll, Charley Trippi, Ollie Matson, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Marshall Goldberg, Dan Dierdorf, Roger Wherli and Pat Tillman.

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