Cardinals alumni gather before Sunday's game in St. Louis.
 
 
ST. LOUIS -- Prior to Sunday's game with the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, the Cardinals hosted some of the team's alumni in what has become an annual event.

"It's great to have a connection with the alumni here," team president Michael Bidwill said.  "We have Cardinals alumni from the 60's, 70's and 80's and throughout that whole era there were great players and some of them are here with us today."

Bill Lewis, Manager of Alumni Relations and a former player with the Cardinals, was in charge of assembling the former Cards together for today's festivities.

"It's great wonderful group of guys," Lewis said.  "They played in an era when they played because they loved the game.  They weren't making the big bucks so the camaraderie that they have and the connection they have with each other is unique compared to today's game and today's players.  It's fun for me because they have a million great stories and they are a lot of fun to hang out with."

It's more than just getting former teammates together to reminisce about their playing days; it's a chance for old friends to catch up.
 
"This is great, this is what we played for, to come back and see how the guys are doing," former wide receiver J.T. Smith said.  "It's great for the organization to get all of us in.  It makes it all worthwhile all of the injuries."

Safety Larry Wilson, having a laugh with receiver Mel Gray, was surrounded by offensive lineman Irv Goode and Keith Wortman.  Just a few feet away tight ends Jerry Holloway and Doug Marsh were sharing stories with defensive back Roger Wehrli and linebackers Larry Stallings and Terry Miller.

"It was a different world then, players stayed with a team their whole career and you really got close to them and it's great to have them back with us and stay in touch with your history," Bidwill said.  "We're proud of them, our St. Louis alumni and our Arizona alumni."