If there was a ratio between the number of years a team has existed and the number of logo changes, the Cardinals might be the winner. Since the Cardinals adopted the Cardinal logo on their helmet, there have been three logos.
- 1961-2004
- 2005-2022
- 2023-present
Row 1: 1960-2004
Row 2: 2005-2022, 2023-present
Note: The traditional style 1960-2004 helmet is not pictured. It’s identical to the chrome helmet in the first row (far right).
Before 1960
See the checklist below for a listing of Cardinal helmets before 1960.
1961-04: First Cardinal Logo
This helmet is in the Throwback Series 1, Series 2, NFC 1969 2-bar, and Throwback 2-bar sets. Note how the cardinal has no border.
The 1969 2-bar throwback helmet has the Riddell logo in all caps (RIDDELL). The regular Throwback 2-bar helmet has some cursive font (RIDDell). See the Throwback NFC 1969 site for more information. Some Throwback Series 2 helmets do not have an “R” next to the earhole.
The helmets pictured below are from the traditional and chrome sets and have a thin black border around the cardinal. I could not find any evidence that this particular Cardinals logo actually had a black line around it. It was, however, the actual Cardinals logo.
The Gridiron Uniform Database is pretty much the definitive source. None of the helmets with this cardinal depict a line. So I think this probably an error on Riddell’s part.
The Cardinal with the border was the official Cardinals logo, however. Maybe Riddell used the official logo instead of the actual helmet logo. Or maybe this was intentional to differentiate it from the throwbacks?
2005-2022: Second Cardinals Logo
In 2005, the Cardinals updated the cardinal for a more modern look. The 2005-present style helmet was included in the speed and revolution sets. The cardinal changed and a black borderline was added.
In 2016, the Cardinals wore a color rush helmet with a darker red shade for the cardinal logo.
In 2019, the Cardinals wore a decal on the back of their helmet to honor former owner Bill Bidwell.
2022-present: Black helmet alternate
In 2022, the Arizona alternate used a newer logo. Note the black shading in the cardinal on the left. In 2023, the Cardinals would adopt his logo as their regular helmet logo.
2023-present: Third Cardinal Logo
In 2023, the Cardinals updated the cardinal. Arizona wore this logo on their helmet the year before in 2022.
Custom Cardinals Helmets
Checklist
Last update: 8/18/23
| Years | Color | Facemask | Logo | Stripe | Factory Pocket helmet |
| 1952-60 1994 throwback | White | 1952-53 – leather 1954 – lucite 1955-60 – grey | None | None | None |
| 1952-57 | Cardinal red | 1952-53 – leather 1954 – lucite 1955-57 – grey | None | None | None |
| 1961-04 | White | Grey | 1961-2004 | None | Throwback Series 1 and 2 NFC 1969 2-bar Throwback 2-bar |
| 1961-04 pocket prototype | White | White | 1961-2004 with black outline The traditional and chrome helmets display a line around the cardinal head. This is an error by Riddell. | None | Traditional Chrome |
| 2016 alternate | White | White | 2005-22 darker | None | None |
| 2005-2022 | White | Grey | 2005-22 | None | Revolution Speed |
| 2022-present (alternate) | Black | Black | 2023-present | None | Speed – limited edition |
| 2023-present | White | Grey | 2023-present | None | Speed |
Arizona Cardinals Leather Helmets
These helmets were not officially made by Riddell. They only exist as custom helmets.
- 1920, 1925: Coffee color, 6-strap
- 1921-24: Bronze, 6-strap
- 1927-28: Light tawny, 6-strap
- 1927: Carmine red bottom, white top, 6-strap
- 1929-32: Carmine red, 6-strap
- 1932: Berry red, 6-strap
- 1932-33: Sangria red, 6-strap
- 1935-36: Crimson red, white striped, 6-strap
- 1937-51: Plain white, 6-strap
- 1940: Cardinal red, brown wings, white top, front shield
- 1949-50: Cardinal red leather helmet, 6 strap
References
Riddell NFL Pocket Pro Helmets 