Cardinals Folktales

When the Cardinals moved to Arizona in 1988, there was a major buzz around the Valley of the Sun. A high-powered offense led by quarterback Neil Lomax and wide receiver Roy Green gave Phoenix Cardinals fans many exciting moments during their debut season, none more thrilling than an epic second-half comeback against the loaded San Francisco 49ers. Paul Calvisi tells the story of how the Cardinals erased a 23-0 third-quarter deficit to stun the eventual Super Bowl Champs at Sun Devil Stadium. What followed was a major gut punch that would put a premature end to Lomax's career.

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Kurt Warner arrived in Arizona in 2005 looking to revive his career in search of the same glory he achieved with the St. Louis Rams. The two-time MVP and Super Bowl winning quarterback had to prove himself all over again. Warner overcame the odds, silenced his doubters, won the starting job and eventually led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl appearance. Paul Calvisi details the ups and downs of Kurt’s career in Arizona, an improbable era that sealed his position in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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S2, E3 - Kwamie Lassiter the football player may be best remembered for his four-interception game that helped send the 1998 Cardinals to the playoffs for the first time since arriving in Arizona. Kwamie Lassiter the man will be remembered for much more. Paul Calvisi explores Lassiter's path to a successful NFL career, his larger-than-life personality, the special relationship he forged with Pat Tillman, teaming with his wife Ericka to be champions in the community and his tragic passing in 2019. Lassiter's legacy lives on through The Kwamie Lassiter Foundation which focuses on Sickle Cell awareness and educational resources for those who need it most.

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S2, E2 - The final game of the 2003 season against the Vikings was expected to be a formality for the Cardinals. It was anything but that. Paul Calvisi tells the story of an unknown receiver making the biggest play of his life while sending shockwaves through three NFL markets and significantly altering the 2004 NFL Draft. In a matter of seconds, Nathan Poole won the game for the Cardinals, pushed the Packers into the playoffs and broke the hearts of the Vikings and their fans.

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S2, E1 - Former Cardinals running back and kick returner LaRod Stephens-Howling made several incredible plays during his four seasons in Arizona, but it was a kick return during the 2010 season that had the biggest impact. In the Cardinals' home opener against the Raiders, 'The Hyphen' took the opening kickoff to the house and won a house for a local couple. This is the story of how the stars aligned that September afternoon to allow a kick return to produce big returns for Cardinals fan Dave Johnson and his wife Darci Nimz.

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Ep. 11 - When the 2008 Cardinals were dismantled by the Patriots in wintery conditions, many experts gave Arizona a snowball's chance in hell to succeed in the playoffs. After some brutal practices in the rain, the newly-focused Cardinals played well in the season finale before going on an epic run to earn a spot in Super Bowl XLIII. Paul Calvisi details the journey from nightmare roadtrip to the biggest stage in sports.

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Ep. 10 - In 2013, former Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson lost more than a football game in New Orleans. He literally lost a part of himself. Paul Calvisi tells the tale of a bloody glove, severed fingertip and viral tweet that made for one of the most bizarre stories in NFL history.

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Ep. 9 - When it comes to epic postgame rants, you can go ahead and crown Dennis Green's "The Bears are who we thought they were" tirade from 2006. Paul Calvisi explores several different layers of Denny's monumental meltdown that followed a truly remarkable Monday Night Football game against the Bears. How did the Cardinals blow a 20-point halftime lead? Did Green actually call his shot before meeting the media? And what exactly did he mean? Countdown to meltdown in 3-2-1.

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Ep. 8 - In the 2009 NFC Wild Card game, the Cardinals and Packers lit up the scoreboard thanks to epic performances from QBs Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers. However the game was decided on defense when the smallest player on the field came up with the biggest play of his life. Paul Calvisi tells the story of Money Mike Adams who was able to overcome several miscues to lift the Cardinals to an overtime victory in one of the greatest postseason contests of all time.

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Ep. 7 - Get your popcorn ready! This is the story of the Oscar-winning movie Jerry Maguire starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., and the Arizona Cardinals. Yes, that's right. The Arizona Cardinals. Paul Calvisi rolls out the big red carpet all the way back to 1996 when the Cardinals were featured on the silver screen in the blockbuster film still known for its one-liners. You'll learn how the Cardinals became involved in the film's production and which former player inspired one of the best known movie lines of all time.

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