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Although the story line of the game was the NFL starting debut of rookie Matt Leinart, key to the Cardinals staying in the game was to shut down Kansas City rusher supreme Larry Johnson and eliminate turnovers.
The Cardinals’ defense limited Johnson to just 36 yards on 16 carries for a meager 2.3-yard average, but Johnson caught six passes for 106 yards and a score, the back-breaker a 78-yard gallop with a short pass from Damon Huard with 2:31 to play and set up the game-winning field goal in Kansas City’s 23-20 win before 63,445 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The loss dropped the Cardinals to 1-4 on the season, while Kansas City improved to 2-2 with their second consecutive win.
Cardinals’ Home to Be Known As University Of Phoenix Stadium
The Cardinals new state-of-the-art facility has a new name: University of Phoenix Stadium.
At a press conference on Tuesday morning Sept. 26, the Cardinals and University of Phoenix announced an exclusive, multiyear agreement with University of Phoenix to become the team’s naming rights partner. It is the first time a National Football League venue has been named after an educational institution.
University of Phoenix, the largest private university in the United States, will invest an average of $7.7 million per year for 20 years in exchange for naming rights, signage and a variety of advertising, marketing and merchandising opportunities. In addition, the alliance will enable the University – already international in scope – to reach an even greater number and diversity of potential students, while staying grounded in its hometown community, according to Brian Mueller, president of Apollo Group, the University’s parent company.
Aside from 10 Arizona Cardinals football games, the stadium will host Super Bowl XLII in February 2008. Additionally, the stadium will be the annual site of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, and the first-ever Bowl Championship Series title game will be played there in January.
University of Phoenix was founded 30 years ago, and serves students both on-line and with 191 campuses and learning centers in 39 states and four foreign nations. “This is a win-win decision for both University of Phoenix and the Arizona Cardinals,” said Mueller. “Throughout its history, University of Phoenix has been synonymous with innovation, so it’s fitting to place the name of an innovative university on the world’s most innovative sports and multipurpose facility.”
“This is a great day for the Arizona Cardinals,” said Michael Bidwill, the organization’s vice president and general counsel. “We are thrilled to be affiliated with the largest private university in America, one whose home base is in Arizona but that has national and international reach,” he said. “The new home of the Arizona Cardinals is distinctly Arizona, and so is our stadium partner.”
Special Recognitions
Pre-Game
Color Guard: Alhambra High School Junior ROTC.
NAU Band: Entertainment was provided by the Northern Arizona University Band, site of the Cardinals annual training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona.
National Anthem: Today’s National Anthem was performed by Maricopa resident Freddie Duran. Duran has been performing and recording in and around the desert southwest for most of his life. Once named “ARIZONA SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR" and winner of the "TEMPE SONGWRITING CONTEST," Freddie has recorded three albums with his group "FREDDIE DURAN PLAN" as well as doing countless guest spots on other projects as a vocalist. Freddie's voice can also be heard on the airwaves of Phoenix radio and TV stations fairly often as he is a popular jingles singer and writer. He is currently working on his first movie score for the upcoming independent film named "Florence," directed by John Koop. Originally from New Mexico and currently residing in Maricopa, he draws upon the beauty and culture of the southwest for much of his inspiration.
Chicanos Por La Causa: The Arizona Cardinals Football Club is pleased to take part in the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. During pre-game festivities, the Cardinals recognized four Arizonans for their accomplishments and community service.
Pete Garcia began his involvement with Chicanos Por La Causa in 1972 and has served as CPLC’s President and CEO for the past 22 years. Under his guidance and leadership, CPLC has grown into one of the nation’s largest community development corporations—creating social service and economic development programs that have benefited countless numbers of lives in Arizona. Mr. Garcia sits on the boards and committees of numerous organizations in Arizona—and has received many honors and awards for his local community involvement over the years. The Business Journal named him to its list of the ten most Hispanic individuals in the Valley. Hispanic Magazine honored him with a national Hispanic Achievement Award for contributions in community development. Last year, he was recognized in Washington, DC as one of 25 leaders throughout the country for his contribution to community development and commitment to disadvantaged populations.
Silvestre S. Herrera, 89 years young, is a true American hero. Born in Mexico and living as a Mexico National in the United States during World War II, Silvestre joined the United States Army in Phoenix in 1944. At the same time, he was studying to become a U.S. citizen.
In short time, he would become the only person to ever receive both a U.S. “Medal of Honor” and the “Premier Merito Militar”—Mexico’s highest award for valor—for his unselfish bravery on the battlefield. His Medal of Honor citation reads: “On March 15, 1945, Private First Class Silvestre advanced with a platoon along a wooden road until stopped by heavy enemy machinegun fire. As the rest of the unit took cover, he made a one-man frontal assault on a strongpoint and captured eight enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield, Private Herrera again moved forward, disregarding the danger of exploding mines, to attack the position. He stepped on a mine and had both feet severed, but, despite intense pain and unchecked loss of blood, he pinned down the enemy with accurate rifle fire … Magnificent courage, extraordinary heroism and willing self-sacrifice was displayed by Private Herrera.” In September, 1945, Silvestre received his Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman—becoming the first World War II veteran from Arizona to be so honored. Today, Silvestre is the father of seven children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The Silvestre Herrera Elementary School in Phoenix is named in his honor—as is the new Army Reserve training center in Mesa.
Luis Gonzalez has long been known in baseball circles for his leadership and ability to produce in the clutch—but his real contributions go far beyond that. Arizonans also have greatly benefited from his off-field contributions to a variety of local community organizations. Luis’s contributions have been in the form of both dollars and volunteerism. Among the groups he has supported are: Arizona Quest for Kids, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Phoenix Family Museum, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, Sunshine Acres, Phoenix Fire Department and the Brain Injury Foundation. A program of special interest to Luis has been “Quest for Kids” which nurtures the hopes and dreams of children who may otherwise not be able to attend college. Currently, nearly 250 students participate in the program which provides adult mentors and college scholarships. Another program is “Kids Going Gonzo for School” which rewards economically disadvantaged Valley students for attendance, effort in school and living by “Gonzo’s 20 Ground Rules.” Since 1999, more than 6,000 students have completed the program.
Carl Hayden Science Club (Falcon Robotics) Four members of the Carl Hayden Science Club were recognized for their achievements in numerous competitions involving the construction and operation of their robotics knowledge. The Carl Hayden Science & Technology Club is an extra curricular program that raises its own money to build robots and enter competitions in state and across the country. The Science Club that also goes by the name Falcon Robotics also does community outreach by Hosting the State Lego Robotics Championships for elementary and Jr High students and the VEX Robotics Championships for Jr. high and high school beginning robot teams. The team also goes out to the feeder schools and mentors the Lego teams on how to do robotics. The team also does many public appearance and speaking engagements about their program form the local church in the neighborhood to the Governor's Office. They are also in the planning stages of hosting a national underwater robotics competition. Earlier this year, won the Chairman’s Award at the Arizona Regional FRST Robotics Championships.
Midfirst Bank Tailgaters of the Game: Today’s “Tailgaters of the Game” is the Smithski group from Laveen, Arizona. The Cardinals and Midfirst Bank thank them for their enthusiasm and support.
Halftime
Ballet Folklorico Alegria: Consists of approximately 35 dancers ranging in age from 5-37 (most are children). Founded in 2002, Ballet Folklorico Alegria (Spanish for happiness), was developed to give children from low socioeconomic families the opportunity to build self-esteem, cultural awareness and provide a safe environment for them. The mission of Ballet Folklorico Alegria is to instill cultural pride and awareness in our youth while educating the general public about the Hispanic culture’s contribution to the community. For more information visit www.balletalegria.com.
Mariachi Ateca De Oro: Mariachi Azteca has been in Arizona for 22 years and is directed by Fidel Amador. The group has traveled throughout the country sharing their musical tradition with numerous schools and other groups. They have represented Arizona in many different national and international competitions. Mariachi Azteca has proudly performed for Pope John Paul, President Clinton and President Bush among many other prominent figures
