1971 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season

1971 St. Louis Cardinals season
OwnerBidwill brothers
(Charles, Jr. & Bill)
Head coachBob Hollway
Home fieldBusch Memorial Stadium
Results
Record4–9–1
Division place4th NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersCB Roger Wehrli

The 1971 St. Louis Cardinals season was the 52nd season the team was in the National Football League and twelfth in St. Louis. Led by first-year head coach Bob Hollway, the Cardinals failed to improve on their previous year's 8–5–1 record, winning only four games.[1] They failed to reach the playoffs for the 23rd straight season, their previous appearance was in 1948 in the championship game.

This was the last season the team was co-owned by Charles Bidwill, Jr.; he sold his share to his younger brother Bill in September 1972.[2] The adopted sons of Charles and Violet Bidwill,[3][4] the two had co-owned the team since their mother's death in January 1962.[5]

Hired in February, Hollway was previously the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings under head coach Bud Grant.[6][7]

  1. ^ 1971 St. Louis Cardinals
  2. ^ "Bill Bidwill sole owner of Cards". Southeast Missorian. Cape Girardeau. Associated Press. September 12, 1972. p. 8.
  3. ^ Howard, Robert (February 2, 1963). "Court rules for Bidwills". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 1, part 4.
  4. ^ "High court rules in favor of sons". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. February 2, 1963. p. 2, part 2.
  5. ^ "Mrs. Wolfner, Cardinals' owner, dies". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 30, 1962. p. 1, part 3.
  6. ^ "Bob Hollway to head Cardinals". Southeast Missourian. (Cape Girardeau). Associated Press. February 13, 1971. p. 4.
  7. ^ "Cards hire Viking aide". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. February 13, 1971. p. 6.