PHX Reporter

Michael Bidwill, owner of the Arizona Cardinals, recalled a conversation with the late Sandra Day O'Connor that inspired him to engage in civic education. This led to the creation of the Civics Matters Arizona program in 2022, which sends over 275 students to Washington, DC annually. On Tuesday, Bidwill and the Cardinals hosted nearly 100 elected officials and non-profit leaders at the Phoenix Art Museum to celebrate "National Civic Learning Week."

Governor Katie Hobbs signed a proclamation making the week official. "We were meeting with a number of different organizations to pull together everybody who is working on civics in Arizona so that we can work together," said Bidwill. He emphasized teamwork by comparing it to football: "11 individuals on the field doesn't lead to great results, but when we play as a team, we have great results."

Bidwill announced that the Cardinals will be the first NFL team to join CivxNow, a non-profit founded by O'Connor aimed at improving youth civic education. The Cardinals App will soon feature various organizations and serve as a portal for civic education opportunities.

The app will also inform students about Civics Matters Arizona's all-expenses-paid four-day trip to Washington, providing life-changing experiences for those from Title I communities. "We want to be a champion in the community," said Bidwill. He highlighted efforts in civics education, character education, and financial literacy for Arizona students.

New programming is expected throughout the year, including competitions and potentially a civics day field trip to State Farm Stadium.

During the breakfast event, stories about O'Connor's impact were shared. Her legacy serves as motivation for continued efforts in civic education. "She wanted this education to continue," said Bidwill. "The kids that understand civics are going to be better going forward."