Bill Bidwill, Arizona Cardinals owner, dies at 88

The Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday announced that owner Bill Bidwill has died at the age of 88 years old.

“Our dad passed away today the same way he lived his life: peacefully, with grace, dignity and surrounded by family and loved ones,” said Cardinals president Michael Bidwill in a release. “We are overwhelmed by the support our family has received, not only now but throughout the latest chapter of his life. We are especially grateful to the nurses, doctors and other caregivers whose endless kindness and compassion in recent years have made our dad’s life so meaningful.

“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 life-long passion for the Cardinals and the sport of football.”

In Remembrance of Mr. B

Read by Larry Fitzgerald pic.twitter.com/YKAO0Awtrp

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 2, 2019

Born in Chicago, Bidwill began working for the Cardinals franchise as a ball boy. His father, Charles Bidwill, had bought the team in 1932, the year after Bill Bidwill was born.

Bill’s mother, Violet, took ownership of the franchise in 1947 after Charles’ death and ran the team for 15 years.

Bidwill earned an undergraduate degree at Georgetown and served in the Navy.

In 1960, he began a full-time role with the Cardinals.

He had five children with his wife, Nancy: daughter Nicole and sons Bill Jr., Michael, Patrick and Timothy. He is survived by those children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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