Jim Hart, the Cardinals’ all-time passing leader and member of the Ring of Honor, had a birthday!— with Albertsons.

The Arizona Cardinals honored one of their most enduring legends this week as Jim Hart—franchise all-time passing leader, Ring of Honor member, and quintessential figure of the St. Louis football era—celebrated another trip around the sun. The celebration, supported by longtime partner Albertsons, was more than just cake and candles—it was a moment of reflection on a legacy that still echoes across Cardinals history and serves as a time capsule for one of the NFL’s longest-tenured teams.

Jim Hart, who turned [insert age if available, or write “celebrated a milestone birthday”], is not just a former quarterback. He is a pillar of consistency and resilience, a four-time Pro Bowler who led the Cardinals through 18 seasons, largely during the team’s St. Louis era from 1966 to 1983. His 34,639 career passing yards and 209 touchdowns still stand atop the franchise record books, a testament to both his longevity and prolific output in an era that wasn’t built for gaudy aerial stats.

When Hart arrived in St. Louis as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois in 1966, few could have predicted his future stardom. But Cardinals head coach Charley Winner saw something in the lanky young passer, and over time, Hart transformed into the beating heart of the franchise. He went on to become one of the most productive quarterbacks of the 1970s, particularly under head coach Don Coryell and the innovative “Cardiac Cardinals” teams.

Those squads earned their nickname the hard way—by pulling off dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks, often with Hart under center orchestrating the drama. His signature style: poised, tough, and unshaken even under immense pressure. With receivers like Mel Gray and tight end Jackie Smith, Hart had weapons, but it was his steady leadership and uncanny ability to come through in the clutch that turned St. Louis into a perennial NFC contender.

In 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977, Hart earned Pro Bowl nods, further cementing his place among the elite quarterbacks of his generation. The Cardinals won back-to-back NFC East titles in 1974 and 1975—no small feat considering they shared the division with dynasties like the Dallas Cowboys and Washington.

This year, the Cardinals ensured Hart’s birthday did not pass without appropriate recognition. Partnering with Albertsons, the organization hosted a celebratory event that included a personalized video tribute, memorabilia presentation, and a gathering of alumni and fans who witnessed Hart’s career firsthand.

Current Cardinals players and executives sent video messages thanking Hart for paving the way and setting the standard for Cardinals quarterbacks past and present. “Your name is still the gold standard in Cardinals history,” said general manager Monti Ossenfort in a message aired at the event. “We’re all still chasing the records you set. Happy birthday, Jim.”

Albertsons, a staple in Arizona communities and a proud sponsor of the Cardinals, added a community-focused dimension to the celebration. A donation was made in Hart’s name to a youth football development initiative in the St. Louis area—honoring not just Hart’s playing days but his deep roots in the city that hosted the franchise for nearly three decades.

In 1999, Jim Hart was enshrined in the Cardinals’ Ring of Honor, joining legends like Pat Tillman, Larry Wilson, and Aeneas Williams. The recognition wasn’t just ceremonial; it was a public acknowledgment of his indispensable role in the team’s lineage.

“I think what makes Jim’s story so special,” said Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill in a 2020 interview, “is that he never quit. He came in with no guarantees, proved he belonged, and then led this franchise with grace and grit for nearly two decades.”

Even after his retirement, Hart remained closely tied to the game. He served as the athletic director at Southern Illinois, where he played his college ball, and continued to engage with fans and alumni alike. His voice and perspective have remained vital to understanding the growth of pro football and the challenges quarterbacks faced in an era before quarterback-friendly rules and pass-heavy playbooks.

To this day, Hart’s 18-year tenure with the franchise is unmatched. No Cardinals quarterback—neither Kurt Warner, Carson Palmer, nor Jake Plummer—has come close to matching his statistical output over time. While the game has evolved and records in other franchises have fallen, Hart’s position in the Cardinals’ record books remains steadfast.

Perhaps more importantly, Hart became synonymous with toughness. He was sacked over 300 times in his career but rarely missed a game. He played in 199 total games, many behind an offensive line that was no stranger to letting defenders through. In a brutal era for quarterbacks, Hart showed up week after week, never letting pain or pressure derail his focus.

For longtime fans who remember the St. Louis Cardinals days before the move to Arizona, Hart represents more than just numbers. He is a bridge between generations—a reminder that excellence can emerge from anywhere, including the undrafted ranks, and that perseverance can be just as important as talent.

The birthday celebration wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was also about passing the torch. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon referenced Hart in a team meeting earlier in the week, using his story to illustrate the importance of resilience and leadership.

“We talk about the guys who laid the foundation,” Gannon said. “Jim Hart wasn’t just a quarterback. He was the quarterback for nearly 20 years. That kind of consistency is what we’re striving for in this building.”

Quarterback Kyler Murray, now firmly entrenched as the face of the modern Cardinals, also acknowledged Hart’s influence. “It’s humbling when you see the names in the record books,” Murray said. “Jim Hart is the guy we all look up to—his records, his leadership, the way he carried himself. I just hope I can represent this franchise the way he did.”

Jim Hart’s birthday offered a rare opportunity to unite Cardinals fans from across the team’s geographical history. From St. Louis to Phoenix, from the old Busch Stadium turf to the modern dome in Glendale, Hart’s story is a unifying thread. He is a franchise icon in every sense—representing excellence, longevity, and the kind of leadership that transcends eras.

The event, co-sponsored by Albertsons, served not only as a personal celebration but also as a bridge between the past and present. From cake-cutting to highlight reels, it was clear that Jim Hart’s story remains as relevant now as it was during the team’s 1970s heyday.

And for Hart himself? Always gracious, always modest, he kept the focus on the team and the fans.

“I’m just grateful,” Hart said during his brief speech at the celebration. “Grateful to have played the game I love, grateful for the fans who cheered for us in St. Louis, and grateful to be remembered. Football gave me more than I could ever give back.”

In a league defined by turnover and short-lived greatness, Jim Hart’s Cardinals legacy is an enduring outlier. His longevity, leadership, and records form the spine of Cardinals history, and as the franchise continues to evolve in Arizona, it does so with one eye always on the foundation he helped build.

The birthday bash, made possible by Albertsons and the Cardinals organization, wasn’t just a party. It was a meaningful reminder that legends like Jim Hart don’t just fade away—they live on in every snap, every comeback, and every quarterback who dares to lead the Cardinals the way he once did.