Two important bits of advice for Arizona Cardinals rookies who are moving to Arizona for the first time

For NFL rookies, the transition to professional football comes with immense pressure—from learning a playbook thicker than a college textbook to proving your value in a locker room full of seasoned veterans. But for those selected by the Arizona Cardinals, there’s another layer to the transition: moving to the blazing, sun-drenched, and often misunderstood landscape of Arizona.

Arizona isn’t just a change of scenery—it’s a lifestyle shift. The unique combination of extreme summer heat, dry desert air, diverse cultural landscape, and sprawling urban geography presents both challenges and opportunities for first-year players.

If you’re one of the Cardinals’ newest draftees or undrafted free agents and are moving to the Valley of the Sun for the first time, there are two important pieces of advice that will serve you well both on and off the field:

Let’s get one thing out of the way: You’ve never felt heat like Arizona heat.

Sure, you might be from Texas, Florida, or Georgia. You’ve trained in humidity. You’ve sweated through summer two-a-days in the South. But desert heat is a different animal. In Arizona, it’s not just the temperature—it’s the duration, the intensity, and the complete lack of reprieve.

From June to September, Phoenix and its surrounding areas routinely clock temperatures above 110°F. In 2023, the city endured 31 consecutive days of 110°F+ temperatures. That’s not a fluke—that’s the norm.

Add in the fact that most practices, community events, workouts, and even casual errands can happen outdoors, and you’ve got to respect what your body is being exposed to daily. Dehydration, sunstroke, and exhaustion aren’t just risks; they’re common consequences for those who fail to prepare.

In Arizona, hydration isn’t about just drinking water at practice. It’s an all-day, every-day necessity.

Rookies should make electrolyte-balanced hydration a habit—think Gatorade Zero, Pedialyte packets, Liquid I.V., and smart use of supplements. Former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, an Arizona resident for two decades, used to say: “You hydrate 48 hours before you need it. Not when you feel thirsty.”

That advice is gospel in the desert.

Training in Arizona’s climate forces a recalibration of your conditioning routines. The body loses sweat faster, which may trick you into thinking you’re handling the heat better than you are. The result? Cramps, fatigue, and even heat-related injuries.

Take preseason workouts slowly. Focus on flexibility and recovery. Don’t be afraid to use cryotherapy, IVs, or saunas with medical supervision. Embrace early-morning and indoor training sessions. Don’t try to prove your toughness by working out on a black turf field in the midday sun—you won’t win.

Arizona sun doesn’t mess around. Even in the winter months, UV exposure is high. That means sunscreen isn’t just for the beach—it’s for the walk from your car to the facility.

Rookies should:

• Use SPF 30+ daily on exposed skin (even on cloudy days).
• Invest in UV-protective gear.
• Wear long sleeves when practical during light outdoor work.
• Get annual skin checks—especially athletes with a family history of skin cancer.

The Cardinals’ training staff is well-equipped to help with heat acclimation, but it starts with self-awareness. Respecting the sun and heat isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of intelligence and professionalism.

Beyond the football field, living in Arizona is a vastly different experience than life in the South, Midwest, or East Coast. While Phoenix is a major metropolitan area, it has its own unique pulse, shaped by Southwestern culture, indigenous heritage, Latino influence, and a thriving transplants’ population.

Understanding the culture and embracing the community will not only help rookies feel more at home—it will also help them build their brand, connect with fans, and avoid the isolation that sometimes derails young athletes.

Metro Phoenix (a.k.a. “The Valley”) includes several distinct cities: Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, and of course, Phoenix itself. Each has its own vibe.

• Scottsdale is upscale, full of nightlife, spas, and golf.
• Tempe is a college town (home to Arizona State), great for energy and youth.
• Chandler and Gilbert are family-oriented suburbs, calm and clean.
• Downtown Phoenix has art, culture, and a growing business scene.
• Glendale, where the Cardinals play, is quieter but close to the action.

Don’t just stick to the area around the team facility. Venture out. Get to know where you’ll live, eat, train, and relax. Rookies who feel rooted are more likely to thrive.

Arizona is deeply tied to Native American and Latino culture. There are 22 federally recognized tribes in the state, and Spanish is widely spoken.

Learning a bit about Arizona history, from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to Día de los Muertos, can go a long way in showing respect to the fan base and forging deeper connections in the community.

Being visible in diverse neighborhoods—not just in Scottsdale clubs or sponsored team appearances—can help you grow into a face of the franchise.

Arizona isn’t just desert and heat. It’s full of hidden natural beauty: red rocks in Sedona, hikes in the Superstition Mountains, kayaking on the Salt River, and weekend getaways to Flagstaff, where it snows in winter.

Getting outdoors—safely—can help with mental health, stress relief, and social bonding. Many former Cardinals players credit Arizona’s nature with helping them find peace and balance during the chaos of NFL life.

Just ask retired Cardinals great Pat Tillman, who ran trails in the desert and explored the mountains regularly. His connection to the land became a symbol of his deeper connection to purpose and service.

Cardinals fans are loyal—and hungry for success. The state has only ever come close to a Super Bowl win once (in 2009). That hunger for success gives rookies a chance to become heroes fast.

If you show up, show respect, and show effort, you’ll be beloved. Do school visits. Sign autographs. Help with youth football programs. The franchise is rebuilding under head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort. Be part of that blueprint.

Even rookies on the depth chart can become fan favorites if they connect with the people. And in a transient city like Phoenix, with fans from across the country, those bonds are vital.

Like any major city, Arizona has distractions. The nightlife in Scottsdale is high-end and fast-paced. The social scene can be intoxicating. And the open nature of the West (relaxed gun laws, car culture, cannabis legalization) can create temptation.

Rookies should:

• Establish a mentor among the veteran players early.
• Keep a tight circle of trusted advisors.
• Avoid letting money or fame isolate them.
• Find a financial advisor familiar with Arizona taxes and laws.

Don’t be the guy who makes headlines for the wrong reasons. Be the guy who studies film after practice, signs autographs after workouts, and learns about the city’s history.

Moving to Arizona as a rookie for the Cardinals is more than a relocation—it’s a rite of passage into one of the most unique environments in pro sports.

Respecting the heat and desert climate is essential for your physical survival and on-field performance. Embracing the local culture, geography, and community will feed your mental and emotional well-being.

You’ll quickly realize that Arizona can be a powerful place—both challenging and inspiring. The state builds toughness. It demands awareness. And for those who adapt, it offers something rare: a home where you can grow both as a player and a person.