Cardinals owner said recognition is his highest honor received

Zach Gershman

SEDONA, Arizona -- During his time with the Navy, Jack McCain would have to recite "The Man in the Arena" speech made famous by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910.

A century later, the McCain Institute wanted to highlight an individual who embodied those leadership values and put a plan into action.

On Friday night at the Sedona Forum, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill was the 2025 recipient of the "In The Arena" award.

"Michael was basically the easiest choice because he's such a pillar today in the city of Phoenix, the state of Arizona, and in the country," said Jack McCain, son of the late Senator John McCain. "Everything that he does for the community today, whether it's supporting veterans and families, or whether it's in the wake of the fires in Los Angeles and how much he went through just to make sure that Wild Card game can happen."

Bidwill was not only recognized for the Cardinals' swift actions as State Farm Stadium hosted the Rams playoff game against the Vikings. His tenure as a prosecutor and his involvement with Civics Matters -- a program which sends nearly 300 students to Washington D.C. to learn about the inner workings of improving a community -- were also shared.

"He's a leader of character," McCain said. "Everything that he does is treated with dignity. Frankly, we are lucky to be giving him the In The Arena award."

There have been a lot of incredible moments, both on and off the field, of which Bidwill has been a part. Recently,Bidwill was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.

However, Friday's honor trumps the rest.

"For me to receive this award, it's truly the highest honor I have ever received becauseJohn McCain was so importantto so many people," Bidwill said. "He dedicated his entire life to service for others and to be able to have an award like this from the McCain institute, it's just truly humbling."

The emotions when Bidwill was informed he was the McCain Institute's recipient were raw and real. "I was stunned and surprised and humbled," he said.

But while he accepted the award, similar to Cardinals game days orpiecing together a playoff game for their rival in a record amount of time, it was a team effort.

"It's just an amazing honor, and to have such an honor bestowed, not just upon me, but I think part of it is our organization too, for what our organization does," Bidwill said. "Impacting the community, it's something really important to me. It was important to my father, it was important to my grandmother, and it was important to my grandfather. It's really a family tradition."

Tradition, the Cardinals, and the McCain institute go hand in hand. In 2023, Cardinals offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum won the In The Arena award for his contributions towards providing clean water access, involvement in STEAM education, and much more.

With a mutual desire for helping others, Beachum and Bidwill have developed a strong bond. During the holiday season, Bidwill and Beachum visit local food shelters to serve hot meals. Having seen the impact from Bidwill, Beachum isn't surprised to see Bidwill on the stage.

"He has heart for the people and heart for humanity," Beachum said. "I really feel that the Cardinals have done a really good job of positioning themselves to be at the forefront of some of the most impact and most important conversations that are being tackle, both here domestically, and also globally."

Before McCain's passing, Bidwill shared a one-on-one moment with the McCain family, where Senator McCain provided wisdom on how to take Arizona to the next level. That conversation and Senator McCain's time as a POW sticks with Bidwill, which makes the honor more special.

While the words of Senator McCain and President Roosevelt's speech were remembered on Friday, Jack said his father would have loved to just talk football with Bidwill.

"He'd be overjoyed," McCain said. "Michael Bidwill was a great friend of his and great supporter, so he would be overjoyed. And then he would go back to yelling at him about his football team."