News
Women's pro team has special bond with Cards
January 29, 2009 By Ryan Finely, Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Monsoon quarterback Jessica Van Apeldoorn calls herself "the mini-Kurt Warner," and she may have a point.
Van Apeldoorn and Warner both lived in St. Louis before relocating to Arizona a few years ago. Both consider themselves savvy veterans on otherwise-young teams. And both wear the same No. 13 jersey.
For the last three seasons, the Monsoon - an Arizona Independent Women's Football League team - has worn second-hand Cardinals jerseys. The NFL team donated $17,000 worth of used jerseys, pants and workout gear when they overhauled their uniforms three years ago.
The Cardinals' connection has created a new crop of fans.
"I feel like we're mini-Cardinals," Van Apeldoorn, 30, said. "They probably don't know anything about us, but we know so much about them."
The Monsoon can thank the Cardinals' marketing department. The team revamped its uniforms before the 2006 season, swapping out its traditional jersey design in favor of a brighter shade of red and a more modern look. To recycle the uniforms, the Cardinals reached out to the state's only professional women's football team.
"I thought it was a nice gesture on their part, to help us get started out," linebacker Diana Benson said. "Football's an expensive sport, and it's not like we're making NFL wages here."
The jerseys are tight around the shoulders, arms and neck and super long.
Still, the players are thankful. The Monsoon watched the Cardinals' NFC championship game victory together and will get together for the Super Bowl.
There's no question what the team will wear. "This is a real Cardinals jersey," Van Apeldoorn said, tugging at her chest. "I'm really proud to wear it."
Van Apeldoorn and Warner both lived in St. Louis before relocating to Arizona a few years ago. Both consider themselves savvy veterans on otherwise-young teams. And both wear the same No. 13 jersey.
For the last three seasons, the Monsoon - an Arizona Independent Women's Football League team - has worn second-hand Cardinals jerseys. The NFL team donated $17,000 worth of used jerseys, pants and workout gear when they overhauled their uniforms three years ago.
The Cardinals' connection has created a new crop of fans.
"I feel like we're mini-Cardinals," Van Apeldoorn, 30, said. "They probably don't know anything about us, but we know so much about them."
The Monsoon can thank the Cardinals' marketing department. The team revamped its uniforms before the 2006 season, swapping out its traditional jersey design in favor of a brighter shade of red and a more modern look. To recycle the uniforms, the Cardinals reached out to the state's only professional women's football team.
"I thought it was a nice gesture on their part, to help us get started out," linebacker Diana Benson said. "Football's an expensive sport, and it's not like we're making NFL wages here."
The jerseys are tight around the shoulders, arms and neck and super long.
Still, the players are thankful. The Monsoon watched the Cardinals' NFC championship game victory together and will get together for the Super Bowl.
There's no question what the team will wear. "This is a real Cardinals jersey," Van Apeldoorn said, tugging at her chest. "I'm really proud to wear it."
