Joe Ziemba

On October 15, 1899, the Cardinals played their very first game! Known then as the Morgan A.A., the club was composed of local teens led by 18 year-old Chris O'Brien (photo). Behind the rushing of Pat O'Brien, the Morgans beat the Shermans 29-0 and finished with a 6-1-1 mark!

FREE ONLINE BEARS/CARDINALS PROGRAM! In cooperation with the Elmhurst (IL) Library, we'll hold a FREE online program Wed. (10/14) at 7:00 pm CT. Click on the link below to register. We'll discuss "Bears vs. Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry." elmhurstpubliclibrary.libcal…

When the host Bears beat the Packers 20-0 in the 1st contest of the rivalry in 1921, the visitors lost more than a game. The special train from Green Bay was a "financial failure" and the planners asked fans to help pay the $200 shortfall. George Halas scored a TD for the Bears.

When the Chicago Bears travel to Green Bay Sunday, the teams will renew a rivalry that began on November 27, 1921 with the Bears/Staleys winning 20-0. It's the third oldest rivalry in the NFL, behind the Bears-Cardinals on 11/28/1920 and the Cardinals-Packers on 11/20/1921.

Remembering Cardinals' and Notre Dame star Motts Tonelli, a true NFL hero. Available now from McFarland Publishers with proceeds going to the Motts 58 Foundation. amazon.com/Motts-Tonelli-Foo…

Thanks to all who came out recently for our program "When the Monsters of the Midway Ruled the NFL" at the Lombard (IL) Library. Next up: the LaGrange Park Public Library this Wednesday, September 23 (7:00 pm). Free!

NEW! Remembering the Chicago Cardinals, the NFL's oldest team! “Anyone that is a fan of Chicago sports or just sports history, will be fascinated by When Football Was Football. The book is a treasure to the football world.”―Jason Aikens, curator of collections, Pro Football HOF

Can the 2026 Chicago Bears duplicate the past? Join us for "When the Monsters of the Midway Ruled the NFL." September 16 (7:00) Lombard (IL) Public Library September 23 (7:00) LaGrange Park (IL) Public Library Always free...Always fun!

Now through 9/13, 20% off "When Football Was Football" (2nd edition) from McFarland with code FOOTBALL26. Click on the link below, go to "Sports", then "Football" and click on the book. You can then add the special code FOOTBALL26 at checkout. Thank you! mcfarlandbooks.com/shop/

Our latest free podcast on the Sports History Network takes us back to a time when NFL teams did their own scheduling, often with negative or unwanted results! This did allow the Cardinals to once play 61 of 62 games without leaving the city of Chicago! player.captivate.fm/episode/…

New podcast coming Thursday, September 3. Learn how the Cardinals left Chicago just one time over 62 games from 1921-1925. Magic!

Can the Chicago Bears return to their glory days? Join us for "When the Monsters of the Midway Ruled the NFL." Lombard Public Library (9/16, 7:00 pm); LaGrange Park Public Library (9/23, 7:00 pm). Nagurski, Halas, Sternaman, Grange, and Luckman await you!

Just a couple of days left to enter the Sports History Network's contest to win a free copy of "When Football Was Football"! sportshistorynetwork.com/whe…

We are pleased to partner with the Sports History Network to host a giveaway this week for free copies of "When Football Was Football," our new book on the history of the Cardinals and the early NFL. To enter, simply click on the link below. Good luck! sportshistorynetwork.com/whe…

On 8/20/48, 101,220 watched the Chicago Cardinals defeat the College All-Stars 28-0, the largest crowd to ever see a Cards' game in the U.S. Cards' HB Vic Schwall predicted: "We haven't a thing to worry about. Mother had a dream about our winning. Her dreams never miss!"

Now Available: Motts Tonelli of the Cardinals volunteered for WWII service, spent 42 months as a POW, returned to play one more game for the Cardinals...then took on the remnants of the Al Capone gang! Proceeds to the Motts 58 Foundation. To Order: amazon.com/Motts-Tonelli-Foo…

"Tonelli Shines in Irish Victory!" Motts Tonelli, Notre Dame star fullback and WWII hero...new book from McFarland Publishers coming August 12 with all proceeds going to the Motts 58 Foundation.

We reached the train and they loaded us into hot steel boxcars. We were jammed in so tight. Guys would die standing." -- Motts Tonelli, re: 1942 "I'm actually going to play against the Packers Sunday. I'm going to cover Don Hutson!" -- Motts Tonelli, October, 1945 Coming 8/12!