Raising Arizona

I think it's safe to say the bar has been raised. Before listing the contents, let me explain the full story of this package. I found a shoebox sized package left on my front porch with an Arizona Cardinals logo on the side. I, of course, immediately open the package and see a large envelope with the words "Please Read First" on top of Cardinal-red colored tissue paper covering the other contents of the package. The letter was a 2 page typed personal letter from a member of the Cardinals organization.  You can click the pictures below to read the letter for yourself, but in summary it tells the stories of players such as Kurt Warner, Darnell Dockett, and Larry Fitzgerald and the struggles they've overcome to succeed in the NFL.  He also discusses the Cardinals work in the community and explains how the Cardinals are a team that "always keeps you on the edge of your seat" and will "take the role of the underdog and always stay in the fight".  My summary really doesn't do the letter justice and it was the epitome of what I hoped to hear from one of the teams that I wrote.  It was personal, it was poignant, and it was persuasive. 

The letter also explains that several items are included in the package to help familiarize me with the team.  These items included:

• Arizona Cardinals 2009 Media Guide
• Arizona Cardinals 2008 NFC Champions DVD 
• Cardinals Gameday Program from their October 11 game against the Texans
• Pat Tillman Biography
• Cardinals Cap
• Cardinals T-Shirt
• Cardinals Car Flag
• 3 Cardinals Pins (including 1 Breast Cancer Awareness Pin)
• Cardinals Lanyard
• Cardinals Stickers
  

An unbelievable response, but that's not all....at the end of the letter, it reads:

"Finally, I am extending the opportunity to experience Cardinals Football by offering you my personal two tickets to our game against the St. Louis Rams on December 27th.  I can guarantee you we are one of a few cities that will be beautiful in December with no rain or snow anywhere in sight.  I really hope you will consider coming out to visit us and experience being part of the RED SEA at University of Phoenix Stadium."

Wow.  So how about spending some of the holidays in Phoenix?  Doesn't sound too bad to me.

The entire response completely blew me away.  The stuff they sent was great, tickets for a game are unbelievable, and the letter writer even took time to arrange the contents (with the tissue/"Please Read First", etc.), but the letter itself captured exactly what this search is about.  Someone took the time to write a personal letter explaining exactly why they loved the Cardinals and thought they were the right team for me.  I've gotten numerous emails and comments just like this from fans of teams, as well, and seeing the enthusiasm and passion in those responses and letters like this are by far the best thing to come from this entire search.  I'd like to think if someone were looking for a MLB, NBA or college team, I'd be able to respond with the same level of passion about my teams.

So again, thanks to the Arizona Cardinals.