Nickname:
Contrary to popular logic, the team was not named after the beautiful bird but instead because the team played in used maroon jerseys the original team (in pre-NFL years) had purchased from the University of Chicago. When an observer scoffed that the jerseys were “faded red,” team owner Chris O’Brien countered that they weren’t “faded red,” they were “Cardinal red.”


1947 NFL champion squad - #57 can be seen in the upper left



1953 Bowman football card:





1958 Topps football card - #57



1959 Topps football card:



Hope this helps a little....

Jim