His is a once in a lifetime story.
Grocery store stocker, earning minimum wage in the middle of nowhere while at the same time working as an unpaid graduate assisstant coach at his alma mater, Northern Iowa. All while living in the basement of his in-laws home.
That's when the Arena Football League came calling. He became a star with the Iowa Barnstormers. Yes, you read that right. Barnstormers. Fierce, I know.
Finally the NFL came calling. The Chicago Bears. Invited to camp, but, eventually a spider bite got him cut. Talk about bad luck! After "Da Bers," Kurt Warner went to the St. Louis Rams, but was sent to Europe to play for the Amsterdam Admirals.
In 1998, Warner finally made it onto a real NFL roster...as a third string quarterback. By 1999, he was a backup. One injury later, and Kurt Warner is leading the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Superbowl XXXIV in one of the greatest Superbowls every played. He earned the game MVP for his Superbowl record 414 passing yards and two touchdowns.
In 2001, the Rams were once again led to the Superbowl on the arm of Warner. However, they fell short agains the rising stars of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Seven years and two teams later and Kurt Warner is with the Arizona Cardinals as a backup before the 2008 season begins. He is named the starter just prior the opening game. It was in this season that he cemented his legacy.
The St. Louis Rams had never been to the Superbowl before Kurt Warner. Now, they'be been to two. The Arizona Cardinals had never been to the Superbowl before Kurt Warner. Now they have. Prior to the '09 Superbowl vs. Pittsburgh, it would've been a tough call to get Kurt into the Hall of Fame. Now, I don't think there's any doubt.
The rags-riches story is nice, but, I think that Kurt would tell you that that isn't what he wants to be remembered for. Kurt is a family man. Him and his wife, Brenda, have 7 children (2 Kurt adopted for Brenda's former marriage). Kurt is a Jesus man, first.
Warner has never shied away from letting the world know that it was God.....family.....................then football.
Yesterday, Kurt Warner announced his retirement from the NFL. And a class act leaves his mark on the game and his legacy of faith that won't be retired.
So, today, I say farewell to the future Hall-of-Famer, and today, I say thank you to the man who lived right, spoke freely of his faith and set an example for so many to follow.
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You say "farwell to a future legend". At what point does Warner become a legend? Enshrinement into the Football Hall of Fame? It's debatable on whether he will ever make the Hall. Though, I think he probably will.
ReplyDeleteThe man was a fine quarterback and a shining light set against the overwhelmingly "me first" attitude displayed by professional athletes.
Maybe Romo should have sacked groceries for a year before making it to the Cowboys. Maybe he would suck a little less than he does now.