Kurt Warner is finished playing professional football. A man of great faith, he stated last week that he was praying for God to take the desire from him – the desire to throw on the pads, pull on the helmet and get beaten ruthlessly for a 16 game stretch. It looks like those prayers have been answered, “Yes.” At this point the debate will commence. Is Kurt Warner a hall of famer? I say absolutely.
I have a great admiration for Kurt Warner. Honestly, who doesn’t? Regardless of whether your personal beliefs mesh with the former QB of the Rams, Giants and Cardinals, Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP, you have to respect the road he has traveled. From tiny, University of Northern Iowa, to marrying his college sweetheart, to stocking grocery shelves in a local supermarket to being plucked from the career grave to quarterback the AFL’s Iowa Barnstormers.
After his arena stint, he was picked up by the Rams to back up Trent Green. An injury to Green in the pre-season offered Warner an opportunity to step into the starting role, and he never looked back. In his first season as the Rams QB, he led the team to the Super Bowl and stood victorious as the clock hit zero. The awards and accolades came, and went – then Warner went…to New York to struggle with injuries and sit behind Eli Manning.
Toying with retirement, he was given the opportunity to once again resurrect his career in Arizona, where he stepped in for a young and inexperienced Matt Leinert. Finding an immediate bond with superstar wide-receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals began to achieve a level of success the organization and fans had always hoped for, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2009.
Upon announcing his retirement, Warner stated, “I’m excited about what’s next…” Considering his life journey to this point, how else could he feel?
(Photo via: Babble.com)
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