The new AAFC franchise publicly pushed for the Cardinals to leave town, since the city had three major football teams.
He stunned the football world in 1947 when he outbid the Rockets for the rights to All-American, Charley Trippi, signing him to a then unprecedented $100,000 contract.
The quartet led the Cardinals to defeat their cross-town nemesis, the Chicago Bears, in the season finale to win the NFL's Western Division title with 9–3 record.
Charles Bidwill did not live see his "Million Dollar Backfield" win the 1947 title in December; he had died of pneumonia on April 19 after signing Trippi.
The Backfield lost its first member when Christman was traded to the Green Bay Packers by the team before the 1950 season, with the idea to have Jim Hardy serve as quarterback for a bigger passing attack.