From Super Bowl Memories To Sports Betting Boom, Former Arizona Cardinals Star Anquan Boldin Opens Up

Written By C.J. Pierre on December 14, 2021Last Updated on January 30, 2025
NFL Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin

One of the many features of FanDuel FanFest, which took place on Saturday at WestWorld in Scottsdale, was the opportunity to speak with some Arizona activities traditions.

Anquan Boldin, a former wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, was one of the many sports who participated. In the next round of the 2003 NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected the Florida State standout. He wasted no time in making a name for himself in the NFL and was named the league’s unpleasant quarterback of the year.

Of course, Arizona has changed significantly since Boldin started his career, which included the introduction of legitimate online sports betting, and set brand records. In fact, he returned to the Grand Canyon status in 2008 to serve as FanDuel Sportsbook‘s adviser. He spoke with PlayAZ about a variety of topics, including regulated gambling, the Cardinals’ franchise, their lone-and-nbsp, Super Bowl, and the in-between.

Explosion & rsquo, of interest for Arizona sports betting

Boldin spent a portion of his visit checking out the FanDuel Arizona retail sportsbook inside the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. The in-person sports betting venue opened Sept. 9, the same day legal sports betting officially launched in the state.

Since then, the number of bets placed by Arizonans has driven the state & rsquo’s sports betting market into overdrive. Boldin has paid attention to it & rsquo.

Boldin said,” You & rsquo, you’ve seen the explosion here in Arizona with FanDuel and sports betting, andrdquo.” I’m downtown at FanDuel and I & rsquo and have been told that this location is crowded every day with spectators coming in to watch games. & rdquo,

The sudden popularity of Arizona sports betting was not surprising to many. Boldin agreed that it’s something Arizonans have been waiting for given the success of several professional sports teams in the state and the familiarity with gaming due to the state’s tribal casinos.

I believe that & ldquo has been a long time coming. particularly with the games forming all over the river. Any activities franchise that is succeeding the way Arizona does, in my opinion, makes people like it even more. & rdquo,

Considering Arizona Cardinals’ 2008 Super Bowl performance

Red Sea fans may experience some poignant memories when they think back on the 2008 Arizona Cardinals staff. The team won the NFC West and then went on to win the Super Bowl XLIII, earning the franchise & rsquo’s first( and still sole ) National Football Championship along the way.

But, the Cards failed to win the Super Bowl, falling 27-23 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in an instant classic. Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes‘ wonderful touchdown pass in the game’s final moments brought an end to what most NFL fans thought was a wonderful activity for the Cardinals.

Boldin played a significant role on the Cardinals’ roster. whereas no Though it may be a heartbreaking moment for him and the Cards, remembering that year makes the former Arizona wide receiver smile.

We had a team that came together at the right time and was playing excellent football on both sides of the ball, & ldquo. I & rsquo, many of those guys are still in contact with me. You consider Kurt Warner, Fitz( Larry Fitzgerald ), Adrian( Wilson ), Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle, and Bert Berry. Because of what we did here, I & rsquo will always be friends with those guys. & rdquo,

Boldin was unable to raise the Lombardi Trophy at that particular day. He did, however, have another opportunity to play for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 time and get a Super Bowl. Boldin led the Ravens to the Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, with six catches for 104 feet and a touchdown.

Taking a look at the 2021 Arizona Cardinals

Boldin pondered whether there were any resemblances between his 2008 Cardinals and the Arizona staff that is currently leading the NFC playoff hunt. Both teams have a player who plays at the MVP degree, players with violent skill positions, and an unscrupulous defense on the field.

Boldin did, however, point out that it & rsquo, or what occurs off the field, contributes to the development of good teams into great teams.

& rdquo, Boldin said,” Anytime you have teams that are successful like that, I think it goes beyond the football field.” & ldquo, I believe you see men who genuinely trust one another and that comes from the bonds formed outside of football.

& ldquo, men who have mutual trust and are on the same page. That & rsquo was what we had working in our favor. We weren’t really coworkers, you know. Yet when we weren’t playing, we really enjoyed each other’s company. & rdquo,

Fans of the Cardinals may only wish for this team to recapture some of their magic from 2008. During his seven months in Arizona, Boldin made a significant contribution to that group and contributed to the culture of success. His outstanding performance helped him earn a significant spot in the company record of the Cardinals.

All you need to do is look through the records. Boldin is currently second in receptions( 586 ), fourth in yards( 5,520 ), and fifth in touchdowns( 44 ).

Boldin: Often wonderful to get up in Arizona.

For more than a year, Boldin has served as an adviser for FanDuel Sportsbook. He had a fantastic opportunity to go back to the place where he cut his smile in the NFL by taking part in FanDuel FanFest.

The wide receiver signed with the Cardinals for the first seven months of his professional job. In his first game( 217 ), he quickly established himself and broke the league record for most receiving yards for a rookie.

Boldin remarked,” Andldquo, It’s always great to be back in Arizona. I’m always welcomed warmly whenever I & rsquo, m back in Arizona. Generally enjoy yourself, so it’s always a good idea to return. & rdquo,

Boldin collaborated with a number of outstanding athletes while playing for the Cards, including Edgerrin James and Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, both of whom attended FanFest.

It’s always a good idea to catch up with those guys, & ldquo, It & rsquo. Boldin said,” Andrdquo, I also speak to those people frequently.” A couple of weeks ago, & ldquo, Me, and EJ( Edgerrin James ) were just at one of his son & rsquo’s football games in Florida. I continue to communicate with those people. & rdquo,

Paul Sancya, AP, in the image
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C. J. Pierre

CJ Pierre is a video journalist who now resides in Arizona’s Phoenix-Metro Area. For more than ten years, he has covered news and sports for both online and television channels. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, where he was born and raised. In addition to covering high school, college, and professional activities throughout his career, CJ has experience working as a writer and video. most somewhat after the soccer teams of North Dakota State University, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns.

View all posts by C. J. Pierre

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