History of the Arizona Cardinals Devil Stadium. Tragedy struck the team on April 22, 2004 when former safety Pat Tillman, a popular player who was an All-American at Arizona State, was killed in Afghanistan while serving in the United States Army. Tillman left professional football following the 2001 season to serve in the military in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Tillman became the first NFL player to lose his life in war since Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Bob Kalsu died in 1970 during the Vietnam War. Tillman's jersey number 40 was retired at the Cardinals' first home game of 2004. In early
2005 Louisville Cardinals football team Big East media, to finish first in the conference, and ranked 12th in the preseason polls. 2005 Louisville Cardinals football team The 2005 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team, led by Bobby Petrino in his third year at the school, played their home games in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. They finished 9–3 in their first season as a member of the Big East Conference with a 5–2 conference record. The Cardinals finished the 2004 season with an 11–1 record, including a win in the 2004 Liberty Bowl.