KURT WARNER RETIRES
Arizona Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner announced his retirement a few minutes ago at a news conference in Phoenix. He gave thanks to his family, the 3 owners he played for, his coaches, teammates & the fans, all in a very classy, but unscripted way. No tears either. The former Northern Iowa QB who was signed in 1994 as an undrafted free agent by the Packers had quite a journey. After being cut by the Packers & having no other interest for his services, Warner returned to Burlington Iowa to work as a stocker at a Hy-Vee grocery store until he could arrange for another audition. He took a spot with the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League. Playing for Iowa, he was 1st team all-AFL in the 2 seasons he played in the league, he led his team to the league championship game both seasons & in 2005, Warner made the list of the 20 all-time best players in Arena League history. He went on to play in Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals in 1998 & it was there the St. Louis Rams decided to give him a tryout. Warner made the team in 1998 as a 3rd string QB behind Tony Banks & Steve Bono.
In '99 both Banks & Bono were released, making Warner the backup to newly signed Trent Green. After three spectacular preseason game performances, Green suffered a torn ACL the week before the season began. A tearful Dick Vermeil said the Rams would "get behind Kurt Warner, support Kurt Warner & win with Kurt Warner." Win is exactly what the Rams did, they went to the Super Bowl & beat Tennessee in one of the most exciting Super Bowl finishes in history. Warner was named MVP. The Rams returned to the Super Bowl, led by Warner, in 2001 but were defeated by an Adam Vinitieri field goal on the game's last play.
After one season in New York with the Giants, Warner moved west to Phoenix where he would lead a bigger, stronger version of the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" with receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin & Steve Breaston. He led the Cardinals to their very first Super Bowl last season narrowly losing in the final minute to Pittsburgh. Warner won two league MVP awards, he was the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner for 2008 for his charitable work & went to 5 Pro Bowls. He threw over 100 touchdown passes with 2 different teams, a true rarity. His 66.9% completion rate in postseason play coupled with 3,952 yards & 31 touchdown passes & an impressive 102.8 passer rating demonstrate just how good he was in the playoffs.
Warner definitely has Hall of Fame credentials, maybe not first ballot credentials, but he will be enshrined in Canton within 2-3 years of eligibility. People mocked him because of his faith & his sometimes annoying wife, Brenda. But Warner said it was his faith, his wife & children that gave him the strength to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. He reached that dream & so much more in his very impressive career.
In '99 both Banks & Bono were released, making Warner the backup to newly signed Trent Green. After three spectacular preseason game performances, Green suffered a torn ACL the week before the season began. A tearful Dick Vermeil said the Rams would "get behind Kurt Warner, support Kurt Warner & win with Kurt Warner." Win is exactly what the Rams did, they went to the Super Bowl & beat Tennessee in one of the most exciting Super Bowl finishes in history. Warner was named MVP. The Rams returned to the Super Bowl, led by Warner, in 2001 but were defeated by an Adam Vinitieri field goal on the game's last play.
After one season in New York with the Giants, Warner moved west to Phoenix where he would lead a bigger, stronger version of the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" with receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin & Steve Breaston. He led the Cardinals to their very first Super Bowl last season narrowly losing in the final minute to Pittsburgh. Warner won two league MVP awards, he was the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner for 2008 for his charitable work & went to 5 Pro Bowls. He threw over 100 touchdown passes with 2 different teams, a true rarity. His 66.9% completion rate in postseason play coupled with 3,952 yards & 31 touchdown passes & an impressive 102.8 passer rating demonstrate just how good he was in the playoffs.
Warner definitely has Hall of Fame credentials, maybe not first ballot credentials, but he will be enshrined in Canton within 2-3 years of eligibility. People mocked him because of his faith & his sometimes annoying wife, Brenda. But Warner said it was his faith, his wife & children that gave him the strength to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. He reached that dream & so much more in his very impressive career.
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