Category Archives: Players

Willard Harrell Inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

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Former St. Louis Cardinals running back and special teams star Willard Harrell was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday at a ceremony in Springfield, Missouri.

Harrell was one of 22 inductees that included former Kansas City Royal Matt Damon, St. Louis Cardinal Matt Adams, and Mizzou Tiger Brock Olivo.

The Stockton, CA native was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1975 and played in the NFL for 10 years. Harrell scored a touchdown the first time he ever touched the ball when he raced 82 yards on a punt return in the Packers first exhibition game. In his second season, he led the team in rushing. After being released by Green Bay in 1978, Harrell had a tryout with the Cardinals where he eventually signed and played seven seasons.

According to the Missouri Hall of Fame enshrinement program, Harrell had one man to thank for becoming a St. Louis Cardinal.

“A few days later (after the tryout), they contacted my agent with an offer and I became a Cardinal,” Harrell said. “I found out later that Hanifan (former St. Louis head coach Jim Hanifan) was responsible for me becoming a Cardinal. He remembered me from my college days and always wanted me to play for him.”

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Why the Cardinals Traded Conrad Dobler

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On January 30, 1978, the St. Louis Cardinals traded Pro Bowl guard Conrad Dobler and wide receiver Ike Harris to the New Orleans Saints for guard Terry Stieve and defensive end Bob Pollard.

According to the January 31 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dobler’s teammates and Big Red coaches were in shock when they learned of the news.

“You’re kidding,” offensive line coach Jim Hanifan said after learning of the trade. “Well I’ll be a son-of-a-gun. All I can say is that’s show business. Conrad, well, Conrad is special to me. Conrad and I go into a deep personal thing—it breaks my heart.”

“My gut feeling is that I don’t understand,” quarterback Jim Hart said. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“They’re two of our finest players,” fullback Jim Otis said, “and you hate to see them go. I’m not too familiar with those people we’re getting, so it’s difficult for me to comment. Let’s put it this way: there are 11 people on the offense and that offense has been described as the best in football. Now, two of those people are gone and maybe there will be more.”

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Why the Cardinals Traded Ahmad Rashad

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On January 26, 1974, the St. Louis Football Cardinals traded second-year wide receiver Ahmad Rashad to the Buffalo Bills for quarterback Dennis Shaw.

The trade raised more than a few eyebrows around the league.

Cardinals WIde Receiver Ahmad Rashad in 1973

Rashad was a number one draft pick just two years prior and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team after hauling in 29 passes for 500 yards and three touchdowns.

But the Tacoma, WA native fell out of favor with coaches and management in 1973 and Rashad didn’t think it had anything to do with his play on the field.

The summer before training camp, Rashad changed his name to conform to his new Islamic faith and the former Oregon Duck All-American felt that people suddenly regarded him differently.

“I don’t know what to think,” Rashad said in an Associated Press interview in October 1973, “but I went from a starter one day to the bench the next and the whole thing coincided with my name change. The people in St. Louis booed me when I was introduced as Ahmad Rashad.”

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Former Big Red Lineman Herschel Turner passes at 82

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The St. Louis Football Cardinals lost another teammate this morning.

Herschel Turner, who played offensive guard and tackle, passed away at the age of 82.

The Cardinals selected 6-foot-3, 230-lb lineman in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft out of the University of Kentucky, where he was an All-American offensive guard and tackle.

As a senior, he was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference and participated in the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He logged the most minutes played on UK’s 1962 squad, known as The Thin Thirty. Turner was named Sports Illustrated Lineman of the Week on November 10, 1963. He is a member of the inaugural UK Hall of Fame.

Turner played two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and was named the club’s Rookie of the Year in 1964 after starting five games on an injury-depleted offensive line. He received accolades from head coach Wally Lemm after his first start on November 22 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Herschel Turner, whom we had taken off the defensive unit and just starting working at offensive tackle last week, had a grade of well over 90. He is the best of our draft choices last year. He really wants to play.”

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Big Red Flashback: Roger Wehrli Retires

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After an illustrious 14-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, All-Pro cornerback Roger Wehrli announced his retirement on December 23, 1982, effective at the end of the season.

The veteran had played sparingly during the season as the Cardinals had decided to go with younger options, and Wehrli saw the writing on the wall.

“It’s a hard decision to make,” he said. “I had 14 good years with the Cardinals but this was the time to announce it. I’m still contributing, and I would like to go out as someone still contributing.”

“He epitomizes the word class,” head coach Jim Hanifan said, “not only as a player but as a man. In his 14-year career, he has to be regarded as one of the great cornerbacks in the history of the game.”

“I’d have to say he’s the best all-around athlete I’ve seen on this team since I’ve been here,” said Dan Dierdorf.

After starring at Missouri as a defensive back and one of the nation’s leading punt returners, Wehrli was the Cardinals’ first-round draft pick in 1969. He secured a starting job his rookie season and played in 130 straight games with the Big Red. Among his most notable achievements were 40 career interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries, a franchise record for non-quarterbacks.

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Big Red Flashback: Larry Wilson’s Last Game

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Larry Wilson’s brilliant 13-year NFL career came to an end on December 17,1972, in the season finale at Busch Stadium, and he went out a winner as the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-23.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” said the Rigby, Idaho native, as he peeled his legendary #8 jersey off his back.

Wilson grimaced as he undressed, the result of a cracked rib that he suffered while tackling Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael.

“It’s alright,” he said. “There’s nothing to a cracked rib.”

Then he reflected on the last game of his career.

“I’ve got mixed feelings. I’m sad, and yet I’m happy.”

“You can see what’s happened to me through the years,” he said. “I’ve gotten old. I had a guy all set up for an interception today and I was a step too late. I came in once on the safety blitz and got there just after he (John Reaves) threw the ball.”

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Big Red Flashback: Dierdorf’s Last Game

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Date: December 18, 1983

Place: Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Temperature: 10 degrees at kickoff, with a -20 degree windchill by game’s end.

Dan Dierdorf, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals for 13 seasons (1971-1983), had announced at midseason that he would retire at the end of the 1983 campaign. The former second-round draft choice out of Michigan had planned to take a few snaps at his old right tackle position during the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the weather almost changed his mind.

Head Coach Jim Hanifan and Dan Dierdorf

The temperature at kick-off was only 10 degrees and it continued to drop throughout the afternoon. By game’s end the windchill was -20 F.

“I’ve been playing football for 23 years, and ever since I started, I’ve had a picture of my last game. But I never saw it snowing and five degrees.”

After being honored during a brief pre-game ceremony, in which former teammate Conrad Dobler and Cardinal head coach Jim Hanifan said a few words, Dierdorf bundled up in his Big Red parka and red stocking cap and stood shivering on the sidelines.

“I was so cold I could hardly move,” he said. “It’s really tough to stand around all day and then try to go into the game. I wasn’t planning on playing at all because it was so cold.”

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St. Louis Cardinals Alumni Christmas Gathering 2024

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Several St. Louis Football Cardinals alumni attended their annual Christmas Party at Wentes Restaurant in Chesterfield, Missouri on December 16.

The alumni congratulated Willard Harrell on his upcoming induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and many shared memories of Ernie McMillan, Pat Fischer and Charley Johnson, who recently passed away.

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Former Big Red Star Ernie McMillan Dies at 86

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Longtime St. Louis Football Cardinals star Ernie McMillan passed away last night at the age of 86.

The Cardinals selected McMillan in the 13th round of the 1961 NFL Draft. The Chicago native played tight end at the University of Illinois before becoming an offensive lineman in the NFL.

It didn’t take long for McMillan to master the offensive tackle position. He played in four Pro Bowls and was twice selected as second-team All-Pro. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1972 and won the Chuck Drulis Award in 1973.

McMillan was a team captain and inspiration to his Cardinal teammates.

“Ernie McMillan is a professional football player’s football player,” teammate Jackie Smith once said.

Throughout his playing career, McMillan enjoyed working with youth programs and was honored many times for his community service. He often spoke at local churches, schools and organizations such as the YMCA. He also published Proud Magazine, which was designed to give the black community in St. Louis a voice and a focus.

After retiring from football, McMillan served as offensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers and later the Cardinals where he worked under his former coach Jim Hanifan.

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Remembering Pat Fischer: Former Cardinals and Redskins Star

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Another Big Red star from yesteryear has passed.

Pat Fischer, the 5′ 9″ cornerback out of the University of Nebraska has passed away at the age of 84.

Fischer was a jack of all trades in college. His senior season, he started at quarterback and defensive back and was a fabulous kick returner. The Omaha native still holds the Cornhusker record with a career average of 18.3 yards per punt return. He was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 1974.

In 1961, Fischer was the St. Louis Cardinals 17th round draft selection and was given little chance to make the team. However, he impressed coaches with his desire, toughness, and aggressiveness. He not only made the team, but played 17 seasons in the NFL.

After playing special teams for a couple of seasons, Fischer got his chance to start full-time in 1963 and led the team with 8 interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1964 and was named first-team All-Pro after picking off 10 passes and scoring three touchdowns.

Fischer’s 29 Big Red interceptions still rank fifth all-time in team history.

He joined the Washington Redskins in 1968, where he played 10 more seasons.

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