Cards' Arians Announces Retirement In Tearful Goodbye

PHOENIX, AZ – One day after leading his team to a 26-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Cardinals Coach Bruce Arians announced that he is retiring. With 50 wins under his belt, he steps aside as the winningest coach in the team's history.

"It's been a great ride," he said at a press conference. I will miss the game. It's been an unbelievable journey.

"The tears you see are really tears of joy and peace. I'll miss the players. I'll miss coming out of the locker room hearing the national anthem because it still gets to me."

After Sunday's game, team owner Michael Bidwill gave Arians the game ball.

"We love you," Bidwill said. "We love the leadership that you brought to the team."

The team later released a statement saying that Arians' impact "on our organization and our community has been more than what anyone could have imagined."

The team will now look for a replacement. Arians' offensive coordinator, Garold Goodwin, is considered one possibility.

Arians had told his players after the game of his intention but in a sign of how much they respect him, the news remained under wraps.

His decision also stood out because it was his decision. Arians' retirement stands in contrast to the five head coaches who have been fired over the past month.

Arians' retirement, though, was not entirely a surprise.

Two weeks ago, Arians called reports that he had decided to retire "fake news."

In his five seasons with the team, he has an overall record of 50-30-1.

He said that he plans to stay around Phoenix where his foundation that helps children is based. There has also been talk that Arians could end up as a network analyst.

He was awarded AP Coach of the Year twice – once with the Cardinals when he guided them to the NFL championship game – and once with the Indianapolis Colts, whom he led before moving to Arizona.

He also has two Super Bowl ring from his stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was wide receivers coach when they won Super Bowl 40 and was their offensive coordinator when they won Super Bowl 43 in 2009.

Arians was also the head coach at Temple University from 1983-1988.

Photo via Christian Petersen/Getty Images Sports/Getty Images.