Kurt Warner

Kurtis Eugene Warner was born in Burlington, Iowa, and grew up primarily in Cedar Rapids. At Regis High School, he excelled in basketball, baseball, and football, becoming the starting quarterback during his junior year. His coach trusted him to call some of his own plays because of his on-field intelligence.

During his senior season in 1988, Warner earned state honors and played in Iowa's Shrine Bowl. He led his team to victory and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

After receiving little interest from major college football programs, Warner attended the University of Northern Iowa. He redshirted his freshman season and spent the next three years as a reserve before becoming the starting quarterback in 1993, his final college season. He led the Panthers to an 8-3 record, a playoff berth, and conference recognition as Offensive Player of the Year.

Warner went undrafted in 1994 and was cut by the Green Bay Packers after attending the team's training camp. He worked stocking supermarket shelves in Cedar Falls while training during the day, then joined the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League in 1995. Warner established numerous league passing records during three seasons with Iowa.

In December 1997, Warner signed with the St. Louis Rams and was assigned to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in the spring of 1998. Starting all 10 games, he led the league in passing with 2,101 yards and touchdowns, earning a place on the Rams' roster for the 1998 NFL season.

Warner spent most of the 1998 season as a backup for the St. Louis Rams, appearing only in the final game of a 4-12 season. When starting quarterback Trent Green suffered a season-ending knee injury during the 1999 preseason, Warner became the starter. He led the NFL in completion percentage, touchdown passes, and passer rating as the Rams finished 13-3.

The Rams' offense, known as the “Greatest Show on Turf,” scored 526 points during the 1999 season. Warner passed for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdowns, won the NFL MVP award, and led St. Louis to Super Bowl XXXIV. Against the Tennessee Titans, he threw for a Super Bowl-record 414 yards and was named Super Bowl MVP in the Rams' 23-16 victory, the franchise's first Super Bowl championship.

Warner earned a second NFL MVP award in 2001 after leading the league in its major passing categories. He guided the Rams to a 14-2 record and another Super Bowl appearance, but St. Louis lost Super Bowl XXXVI to the New England Patriots. Injuries limited him in 2002, and turnovers and ineffective play reduced him to a backup role in 2003.

In 12 NFL seasons with the Rams, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals, Warner completed 2,666 of 4,070 passes for 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and named first-team All-Pro twice before entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of its 2017 class.

After the Rams released him following the 2003 season, Warner signed with the New York Giants for the 2004 season. He struggled during his time with the team and eventually became a backup while the Giants prepared for the development of rookie quarterback Eli Manning.

Warner signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2005 and initially shared starting duties with Matt Leinart. In 2008, he took control of the position and started all 16 games, passing for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns. He earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection and led Arizona to the franchise's first division title since 1975 and its first Super Bowl appearance.

In Super Bowl XLIII, Warner threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He returned for the 2009 season, led Arizona to the NFC West title, and passed for 379 yards and five touchdowns in a playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers. Warner announced his retirement in January 2010 and joined the NFL Network as an analyst shortly afterward.

Warner has spoken openly about his Christian faith and regularly credited it when discussing his football career. In 2001, he and his wife, Brenda Warner, established First Things First, a charity that helps people in need.

Warner married Brenda in 1997 and legally adopted her two children. The couple also had five children together. His family and charitable work became part of the public story surrounding his football career, alongside the perseverance associated with his rise from an undrafted player to a Hall of Fame quarterback.