National Football League - Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals Unveil New Uniforms

The Arizona Cardinals unveiled on Wednesday new uniforms that the team will wear beginning with the 2005 season. The unveiling took place at the James Hotel in Scottsdale with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, quarterbacks Josh McCown and Kurt Warner, running back Marcel Shipp, defensive linemen Bertrand Berry and Darnell Dockett, linebacker Karlos Dansby, safety Adrian Wilson, and Big Red modeling the new uniforms.

The uniform change is the most significant in the long history of the Cardinals, who were founded in 1898 and represent the oldest professional football team still in existence. In fact, the "Cardinals" moniker came from the red jerseys they acquired in the early 1900s from the University of Chicago that team owner Chris O'Brien determined were not maroon, as suggested, but really "Cardinal red."

The uniform re-design is the latest in a series of off-the-field changes for the Cardinals, who this past January also unveiled a new team logo. The most significant change will come next year when the Cardinals move into their new state-of-the-art stadium in time for the 2006 season.

Arizona Cardinals - Uniforms

While the design and overall appearance of the uniforms is drastically different, the team’s main color scheme of red and white has not changed though the color black has been added as an accent.

Aside from the obvious difference in terms of look and design, the new uniforms also feature some of the industry’s latest in terms of performance-enhancing technology.

The yoke, sleeves, and side panels of the jersey are made of “Knit Cordura,” a high-performance nylon-lycra combination that allows for optimal fit while maintaining maximum strength. The torso of the jersey is made from “Diamond Back Mesh,” a special weave that allows the holes to open up wider and permit more ventilation than the standard mesh. Also, the numbers on the jersey will be made from a special lightweight, stretch-twill fabric that will allow the jersey to fit tighter and better.

Cardinals Cheerleaders also modeled 2005 Cardinals apparel made by Reebok, and were joined by Juan Castellanos of Peoria, Dustin Payne of Gilbert, and Dustin Holmes of Tucson. Castellanos, Payne, and Homes were winners of the azcardinals.com “Your Chance To Suit Up Contest.”

New Cardinals jerseys are available now at the team’s official website www.azcardinals.com and at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe as well as the 12 Valley locations of Sports Authority, the official merchandise headquarters of the Arizona Cardinals. Sports Authority will have a three-day retail exclusivity window for the new product through this weekend.

Players Enjoy Fashion Show

Professional football players are accustomed to entertaining fans every Sunday throughout the NFL season, and although it was a far different setting at the James Hotel on Wednesday, their actions were just as worthy of SportsCenter highlights.

In a fashion show to unveil the team’s new uniforms, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, quarterbacks Josh McCown and Kurt Warner, running back Marcel Shipp, defensive linemen Bertrand Berry and Darnell Dockett, linebacker Karlos Dansby, and safety Adrian Wilson hammed it up for the crowd.

Their enjoyment was obvious as Dansby pulled out a compact mirror while Dockett took pictures with his cell phone. Berry strutted the stage, Shipp flexed, and Wilson grooved to the music.

“We like to have a flair for the dramatic every now and then and I’m happy with the way it came off,” said Berry who was the first to wear the new birdhead at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. “It was pretty cool.”

The players got their first look at the uniforms on Tuesday when they had a fitting at the Cardinals Training Facility.

“Having not been here until this year, just seeing the excitement of guys trying them on yesterday really got me excited too,” shared Warner. “I think everyone puts the new look, the new uniform with a new attitude and a new perspective about what this team is all about. That’s what excites me. Guys are pumped up to get into the new season and show off the new uniforms and more importantly to show them off in a winning fashion.”

Wanting a first-glimpse of their future attire as well, fullback Femi Ayanbadejo, linebacker Isaac Keys, offensive linemen Nick Leckey and Alan Reuber, and running back Josh Scobey also attended the fashion show and cheered on their teammates.

While the guys may have taken a humorous approach to modeling, the new uniforms represent a very serious mindset.

“1-2-3, Playoffs,” said Fitzgerald as he broke the huddle with the players backstage.

With new players to be added this weekend through the draft and mini camp just a week away, the uniforms are just another piece of turning things around.

“You look good, you play good,” said Berry. “I’m excited for a new season, a new attitude, a new uniform, and a new outcome.”

Dansby, who raved about the texture and feel of the new jerseys summed it up, “I love everything about it and it’s time to suit up for the Arizona Cardinals and get dangerous.”

Marcel Shipp	Kurt Warner and Larry Wilson	Adrian Wilson
Group Photo 1	Group Photo 2	Group Photo 3

Bert Berry and Adrian Wilson	Karlos Dansby	Darnell Dockett	Josh McCown
Kurt Warner	Kurt Warner	Marcel Shipp	Adrian Wilson

These articles were taken from www.azcardinals.com.  All rights reserved.

Click here for the archived video of the live unveiling!