Linebacker Clark Haggans gives a lift to a young fan looking for running back Beanie Wells during the 2010 Kingpin Challenge.




Charity begins at home.

And the Cardinals made sure their charity event this week – Tuesday night's Kingpin Challenge bowling event at Brunswick Kyrene Lanes in Tempe – went even better because their annual bye week effort came after taking care of their own business, with a big win Sunday against the Saints.

"It makes it really good. Everyone is happy," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "The players are happy with how they played Sunday, the fans who come here to support us are in a good mood because it was an exciting game, so it's good."

It made for an upbeat atmosphere for the bowling, a tournament in which teams of four are paired with a player in a quest for another kind of victory.

Rookie linebacker Daryl Washington was part of the team from San Tan Ford that captured first place. SportsCastor Marketing and Sixth Man Promotions was second, with Big Red Woody finishing in third place.


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That wasn't the only competition going on, however. Some of the better bowlers on the team took their turns pronouncing themselves contenders. The past two winners had been offensive linemen – former guard Reggie Wells was part of the winning team in 2008, while center Lyle Sendlein was on the winning team in 2009.

"I'm mostly good for spares and emotional rolls," Sendlein joked. "Offensive linemen are superior athletes. It's bred in us."

Quarterback Max Hall said he actually took a bowling class while at BYU and "I'm not a bad bowler."

"It's fun to be here," Hall said. "You can tell there is a different demeanor."

Considering the Cards were coming off a loss to the Colts last year for the Kingpin Challenge, it was easy to see the difference.

"This week is so much better because we won the game," tackle Levi Brown said.