Retired Quarterback Kurt Warner, the NFL Version of the Little Engine that Could

Quarterback Kurt Warner, has walked away from the National Football League, the story of his on the field success safely chronicled in the record books. When healthy, Kurt Warner was one of the most dominating passers in the game. His Super Bowl victory, MVP Awards, and Pro-Bowl appearances, all evidence of his talent. Though he had another year remaining on his contract, Warner, choose to leave the Arizona Cardinals this year.

Stories will be told of Kurt Warner, the undrafted quarterback out of Northern Iowa, who came to the NFL via the arena football league, and NFL Europe. His story is the NFL version of the, Little Engine that Could. Watching Warner play quarterback, it almost seemed effortless for him. The ball flew from his arm with accuracy and strength. The Warner we were fortunate to enjoy on Sunday's, was over a decade of hard work and determination in the making.

There are several things I'll remember about Warner's play, mainly the way he carried himself. Whether he was waiting for his opportunity, the early years in St. Louis, becoming an unwanted man, later days with the Rams, being replaced by a rookie, New York, and Arizona, Warner accepted it, and continued on, at least publicly without incident. On the field, it's not the 300+ yard games, with multiple touchdowns, that define the QB. What sets Warner apart from other great quarterbacks for me, is his respect and passion for the game, and his teammates.

Last year, Warner threw a pass to Anquan Boldin over the middle, leaving the receiver open to take a vicious blow. As Boldin lay motionless on the ground a visibly upset Warner stood nearby. After the game, Warner sent a text to his wife. "This is it. I can't do this anymore. It's time to retire." Then, there was the playoff game against Dallas this year. After throwing an interception, Warner tried to make a play on the defender, and took a hit that left him laid out on the field. At that moment I thought, if I'm Kurt Warner, I'm announcing my retirement to the medical staff right now. After missing the last drive of the first half, Warner was back under center for the second half. I couldn't believe it.

The Arizona Cardinals, will surely miss Kurt Warner's abilities. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, as well as others, have greatly benefited from his talents. The Arizona Cardinals will miss Kurt Warner, and I'm sure he'll miss them too, but the former QB, has many things to keep him busy. Besides a wife and 7 kids, Kurt and Brenda Warner have their foundation, First Things First. Warner isn't done, making amazing things happen, we just won't be able to see him do it every Sunday.

Kurt Warner didn't come out of nowhere, he came out of determination and belief, belief that he could be an NFL quarterback. It didn't matter how many times he was cut, or benched, he kept working. It didn't stop him when others didn't believe in him, he believed in himself enough to last him, until he found someone else who believed in him too. Kurt Warner was a great professional quarterback, who's also a great example of perseverance.

The message of Kurt Warners career, is best said by Kurt. "Many have said if my life story was a script in Hollywood, it would never be believed. But - I am where I am because I believed and I never gave up."

Sources:

http://www.kurtwarner.org/about.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-morningrush100608&prov=yhoo&type=lgns