The Red Sea (also known as Bird Gang) is a nickname that refers to fans of the Arizona Cardinals.[1] The Cardinals have utilized this term since the early 1990s following their relocation to Phoenix from St. Louis.[2][3][4] The Cardinals currently hold the longest active title drought in professional sports; despite this, fans have shown their devotion as the team made numerous playoff pushes during the late 2000s and through the 2010s.[5][6][7][8]
Relationship with armed forces community
editIn 2001, former Cardinals' safety Pat Tillman paused his NFL career to serve in the United States Army, he was later tragically killed in the line of service on April 22, 2004. Following Tillman's death, the Cardinals honored him through numerous memorials and retired his jersey. Tillman's death also strengthened the team's relationship with members of the armed forces community as the team frequently provides discounts to military personnel and frequently markets "salute to service" merchandise to honor servicemen.[9][10] Despite Arizona's transplant population in support of other football teams, the Cardinals fanbase has steadily grown since their relocation from St. Louis in 1988.[11][12][13][14]
References
edit- ^ "AZ Cardinals: Fans".
- ^ "What the 'Red Sea' of fans means to this Cardinals lifer".
- ^ "'The Red Sea has Rosen!' Cardinals fans celebrate the pick of Josh Rosen at draft party".
- ^ "Byron Murphy Sends Thank You Message to Cardinals Fans".
- ^ "Rise Up, Red Sea: Fans cheer for AZ Cardinals, from a distance".
- ^ "'It's surreal': Lucky Cardinals fans keep their Red Sea distance, see game of season".
- ^ "Will Red Sea reignite as fans sell out Cardinals' home opener?".
- ^ "Top 6 Ways You Know You Are an Arizona Cardinals Fan".
- ^ "Military Appreciation Ticket Program".
- ^ "AZDPS JOINS THE ARIZONA CARDINALS IN SALUTING OUR ARMED FORCES".
- ^ "5 Things an Arizona Cardinals Fan Says".
- ^ "Arizona Cardinals fans attend NFL draft pick watch party".
- ^ "Arizona Cardinals fans anxiously wait for 1st round draft pick at party".
- ^ "Study says Arizona Cardinals have most bandwagon fans in NFL".