In a sports world dominated by divas such as Brett Favre, people like Kurt Warner are a rarity. Today Warner announced his retirement after 12 years in the NFL, a Super Bowl ring, three Super Bowl appearances, and two NFL MVPs. Even though he went out in the divisional round of this year's playoffs, Warner is still leaving on top. He was still being the quietly efficient quarterback he has always been.
Warner not only won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams, he also managed to get the Arizona Cardinals, a team that hadn't made a playoff appearance in eons, to the Super Bowl last year. While the Cardinals lost to the Steelers in the end, Warner just kept at it and it was one of the better Super Bowls in recent memory.
Something to note is that Warner is also leaving after having suffered at least three concussions, one of which came in the divisional round loss to the Saints. It's good he will still have most of his health. As much as I love Steve Young, he stuck around a little too long and took a few too many shots to the head.
The bottom line is this: Kurt Warner was a class act from beginning to end. After 12 seasons, three Super Bowl appearances, a Super Bowl win, and two MVPs, Kurt Warner is a first ballot hall of famer. Kurt Warner, you will be missed.
It was too bad Arizona's defense "caved" at the end in last year's SB. Kurt Warner is one of the great "come back" stories of all time (not to mention that he was bagging groceries before his success in the NFL started). Think about it, he had the Arizona "Bill 'effing' Bidwell" Cardinals seconds away from the NFL championship!! Norman Chad needs to pick a new "team of destiny."
ReplyDeleteI agree, Warner is a class act. I give him loads of respect for deciding this EARLY unlike some people we know.
ReplyDeleteHas he had any serious injuries? How do you think Leinart will do? Oh help us al.
I think Warner quit because of concussions. So did Aikman and Young (and that b _ _ _ hole Bill Romanowski).
ReplyDeleteI like Leinart. He had the "Cards" in position to beat the Bears in '06 when they went to the SB with that great defense. (Rackers choked and kicked a "whirly bird" headed for Tijuana.)
FYI, Warner only won one SB with the Rams. They lost to NE.
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