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 or piecing 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 impactful and most important conversations that are being tackled, 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.”