Funeral held for longtime Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill

The funeral for longtime Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill took place on Tuesday morning, less than a week after Bidwill died at the age of 88.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and team president Michael Bidwill, the late Bidwill’s son, were expected to give eulogies.

“I was fortunate to be able to work with him for many years, and it was a privilege,” Goodell told the media afterward. “And it was certainly an honor to be here today.”

The funeral took place at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Phoenix.

“Ron Wolfley, the fullback you just heard from, was a favorite for him to tease, which was a sign of his affection,” Michael Bidwill said during the eulogy. “Whenever he got the chance to tell a story about Ron, it was usually this one: ‘When you needed a yard, Ron would get you two yards. When you needed to get two yards, Ron would pound it out get you those two yards.

“‘And when you desperately needed three yards, Ron would get you two yards.'”

Pall bearers for Bidwill included: grandsons Thomas Bidwill, William V. Bidwill III, Charles Pike and James Pike; Mike Bush, Bidwill’s gameday security; Rick Knight, the Cardinals’ former vice president of security; and Cardinals alumni Roy Green and Adrian Wilson.

Video footage posted to social media on Tuesday showed multiple current members of the Arizona Cardinals in attendance, including wide receiver Christian Kirk, quarterback Kyler Murray, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim.

.@K1 and @ckirk seen arriving together at @AZCardinals owner Bill Bidwill’s funeral service in Phoenix. @KTAR923 @AZSports pic.twitter.com/tSClC9trbf

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) October 8, 2019

.@AZCardinals Owner Bill Bidwill’s Pall Bearers include his four grandsons, Mr. Bidwill’s game day security @Arizona_DPS’s Mike Bush, @AZCardinals security VP Rick Knight, and @AZCardinals Alum Roy Green and Adrian Wilson. @KTAR923 @AZSports pic.twitter.com/OvIXr669JO

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) October 8, 2019

.@nflcommish Roger Goodell eulogizing @AZCardinals Owner Bill Bidwill, wearing the signature bow tie of “Mr. B”. Goodell honoring Bidwill as a family owner in the @NFL and says he always put the league first. @KTAR923 @AZSports pic.twitter.com/5mbnlp9mh8

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) October 8, 2019

.@LarryFitzgerald eulogizing @AZCardinals Owner Bill Bidwill, honoring his dedication to faith, family, and football. Fitzgerald described the first time he met Bidwill when he was drafted as a 20-year-old in 2004. @KTAR923 @AZSports pic.twitter.com/v7GriVXBbH

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) October 8, 2019

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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