Willis Crenshaw, St. Louis Sports Star, Dies at 84

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Bob Underwood

St. Louis native and former Cardinals running back Willis Crenshaw passed away on Monday at the age of 84.

Crenshaw grew up in St. Louis’ Central West End, where he became a standout two-sport athlete at Soldan High School before continuing his football career at Kansas State University. The Cardinals selected him in the ninth round of the 1963 NFL Draft, and he went on to spend six seasons with the Big Red (1964–69) as a versatile offensive threat who could run, block, and catch. He finished his NFL career with the Denver Broncos in 1970.

In a 2022 interview with Dennis Dillon, Crenshaw was asked what it was like performing in front of friends and family at Busch Stadium during his time in St. Louis.

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Ron Yankowski: A Quiet Force of the 1970s Cardinals

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Bob Underwood

Throughout the 1970s, the Cardinals’ defensive front saw plenty of change—but one steady presence anchored it all: Ron Yankowski.

“Yank” started 87 games while capably handling both tackle and end duties. Though he spent much of his career outside the spotlight, he quietly delivered consistent, dependable play year after year.

“I’m used to my status,” he said in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch story in 1979. “I never have been one for saying a lot. I don’t need the recognition.”

“My first seven years, I was a starter. Then, all of a sudden, I was a backup. I had to stop and think for a minute. I had to recognize what they wanted me to do to help the team. Then, I tried to do it the best I could.”

“I wanted to be satisfied with myself each week when I picked up my paycheck.”

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Why the Cardinals Traded OJ Anderson

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Bob Underwood

O.J. Anderson burst onto the NFL scene with authority.

On September 2, 1979, the rookie running back from the University of Miami stormed through the Dallas Cowboys for 193 yards in his professional debut. His electrifying 76-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Big Red a 21–19 lead over the defending NFC champions—and left even legendary Cowboys coach Tom Landry in awe.

“He’s gonna be a star,” Landry said afterward. “He’s gonna gain lots of yards this season. He can outrun all of us. He proved that today.”

Though the Cardinals finished a disappointing 5–11, Anderson delivered one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. He was the unanimous NFL Rookie of the Year, NFC Offensive Player of the Year, and a first-team All-Pro. He set or tied nine NFL marks and nine team records, finishing the year with 1,605 rushing yards—just five shy of Walter Payton’s league-leading total.

Anderson remained the Cardinals’ offensive centerpiece for years to come, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in five of his first six seasons (the exception being the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, when he gained 587 yards in just eight games). In 1981, barely halfway through his third season, he became the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

By 1985, injuries began to take their toll. Anderson battled through a nagging right leg injury and missed seven games that season.

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