Rest in Peace

As I did for former Baseball Cardinals who left the field for the last time I think it best to also look back at the Football Cardinals, Blues, and Spirits we lost in 2017 and early 2018.

Bill Fischer March 10, 1927-January 20, 2017 (89 years old). Chicago native, Fischer played his entire five-year career 1949-1953 with the Chicago Cardinals.

Ralph Guglielmi June 26, 1933-January 23, 2017 (83 years old). A quarterback, Ralph played eight seasons in the NFL but only one, 1961, with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Chuck Weber March 25, 1930-October 22, 2017 (87 years old). Chuck played three seasons 1956, 1957, 1958 with the Chicago Cardinals.

Sonny Randle January 6, 1936-May 23, 2017 (81 years old). Sonny was a legend and four time Pro-Bowler with the football Cardinals and spent the vast majority of his next eleven NFL seasons-eight-with them starting in 1959 with the old Chicago Cardinals.

Ken Gray March 10, 1936-November 25, 2017 (81 years old). Ken was nearly a lifer with the Cardinals having started in 1958 with the Chicago Cardinals and spending the  next eleven seasons with the Cardinals. He would spend one more year in the NFL with the Houston Oilers in 1970. He played in six Pro-Bowles during his career.

Bill Sutherland November 10, 1934-April 9, 2017 (82 years old). Bill started his NHL career with the Expansion Fliers in 1967. He played two seasons, 1970-71 and 1971-72, with the Blue Note.

Noel Picard December 25, 1938-September 6, 2017 (78 years old). Noel played six seasons with the Blues 1967-68 through 1972-73. Noel was a member of the inaugural St. Louis team in 1967-78.

Steve Jones October 17, 1942-November 25, 2017 (75 years old). Nickname the “Snapper”. The Snapper played almost all of his pro-career in the ABA-he played with the St. Louis Spirits 1974-75. This was the first year of the Spirits existence. After the 1974-75 season he switched leagues and played with his hometown Trailblazers 1975-76.