Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco assists in a hand moisturizing treatment Monday at Rolf's.
Fifty-three players made Arizona's final roster cut back in September, but Monday more than 20 Cardinals were making a different cut as they participated in the fourth annual "Making the Cut" at Rolf's Salon. (To see photos from the event click here)
A ticket for the event at Gainey Village in Scottsdale included a haircut, style and luxury Redken treatment by an expert Rolf's Stylist with Cardinals players and cheerleaders assisting.
Participants also had the opportunity to get a hand moisturizing treatment, wax treatments, skin analysis, and a manicure -- which were not only popular among the attendees but the players as well.
"I'm just out here showing a bit of my feminine side," said defensive tackle Ross Kolodziej, who helped shampoo the hair of season-ticket holder Sherrye Chapin.
"On a scale of one to 10, I give him an 11," Chapin said. "He has great hands."
"This is a one-time opportunity," added season ticket holder Pete Zolkiewski, who has attended the event each year with his wife. "I think of it like spring training baseball when you can get up and mingle with everybody and talk about things other than football."
For cornerback Eric Green, who has participated in the event every year since being drafted in 2005, it is also the perfect occasion to show a some of his softer side.
"I had a lady tell me she couldn't believe we were so gentle and I told her we have to go home too," Green said with a laugh. "We can't be rough all of the time.
"There is life after football and outside of football, so I try to be gentle as much as I can."
The unique event allows both the fans and the players to get to know more of the personal side of each other.
"We actually get to interact with the fans and do some things we don't normally get to do. But I actually have experience with some of this stuff because I actually have hair," said Green, whose long hair was pulled back for the evening.
The event featured a silent auction, food and beverages courtesy of Taneko Japanese Tavern, Budweiser, Alliance Beverage and Coca-Cola. In addition, each participant received a gift bag.
"This to me is one of the most fun charitable events in all of Arizona," Chapin said. "You not only get a chance to do something good for the community but you get to talk to the players whose hearts and souls are a lot of the time much bigger than their paychecks. They're such wonderful people and it is so fun to get a chance to talk to them and show them your appreciation for what they do every weekend."
"I love coming out and doing things like this," Kolodziej said. "I think that is one thing that separates the Cardinals from a lot of other organizations is how active they are in the community."
All proceeds from the event benefited Cardinals Charities. Founded in 1990, Cardinals Charities upports programs designed to improve the quality of life and enhance opportunites for children, women and minorities in the state of Arizona. Since its inception, Cardinals Charities has distributed nearly $3 million dollars to over 300 worthy Arizona charitable organizations on behalf of the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL.
