Earlier this week Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals (more famously of the St. Louis Rams), retired from the game of football after a twelve year career. I was deeply saddened by the news. My childish hope was to see the legend step back on the field for one last battle. But alas, he will ride off into the Arizona sun set never to be seen again. And maybe that is my fear. I am sure I am not the first to say it, but the National Football League lost one of the greatest players it ever had in Kurt Warner. In his short career, Kurt Warner went to three Super Bowls (more than Manning or Young). He holds the top three spots for yardage in a playoff game (More than Elway or Brady). Warner tied the great Joe Montana for most post touch downs in a single post season. He tied Dan Marion with at the fastest quarterback to reach 30,000 yards. He is one of only two quarterbacks to ever make the Super Bowl with two teams. He has the second highest passer rating in the post season. He has the second highest passing yards per game. Warner holds two MVP awards and a Super Bowl ring. He did more than any quarterback in the history of the game in such a short amount of time. And that may have been the least of his accomplishment. Most impressive still, he was you and me. Everyone knows the story (or should). He was the grocery store clerk turned NFL champion. He was the American dream, showing that anyone is capable of great things who believes in themselves and works hard. He was the player every kid wanted to be out on the playground, because he was them. He was an ordinary champion accomplishing extraordinary things.
By: Matthew Walden
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