Kurt Warner Will Have To Wait For The Hall of Fame
The 2015 NFL Hall of Fame class features eight members not named Kurt Warner. Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers tweeted that quarterback Kurt Warner was not part of the 2015 Hall of Fame Class:
BREAKING: Former #AZCardinals QB Kurt Warner does not make Hall of Fame. @kentsomers has more. http://t.co/s5Af2vYFJt
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) February 1, 2015
Warner had a legendary career as a professional quarterback. After ending up undrafted out of the University of Northern Iowa, he ended up getting cut by the Green Bay Packers. Warner ended up stocking groceries, while he waited for a phone call from anyone, an NFL Europe, Arena Football, or NFL team.
The gunslinger never lost faith, ended up dominating with the Iowa Barnstormers as a two-time first team All-Arena, and played for NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals before joining the St. Louis Rams.
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While with the Rams Warner was a 3rd string quarterback during the 1998 becoming the starting quarterback after Trent Green suffered a torn ACL during the 1999 postseason.
Warner surprised many, winning the NFL MVP award during the 1999 season and ended up carrying the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Warner helped the Rams reach another Super Bowl the following year against the New England Patriots. However he was eventually cut by the Rams after encountering a lot of injury problems.
While with the New York Giants Warner was efficient. He helped the Giants win ballgames but was passed over for rookie quarterback Eli Manning during the 2004 season.
Even though it seemed like his career was virtually over one team from the desert gave him a chance. The Arizona Cardinals signed Kurt Warner as a free agent right before the 2005 season and ended up backing up quarterback Josh McCown in 2005.
In 2006 Warner was benched following his fumbling problems.
It seemed like Matt Leinart was the quarterback of the future for Arizona in 2007. After Leinart suffered a broken collarbone in 2007, Warner played the rest of the season and threw 27 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
With a new head coach in Ken Whisenhunt in Arizona Warner won the starting job. He led the 9-7 Cardinals to the Super Bowl after the Cardinals were dubbed the worst playoff team in NFL history. A high aerial attack with many playmakers such as receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston led the way for Arizona, along with having solid playmakers on the defense.
Arizona improved on its Super Bowl season during the regular season by posting a 10-6 record and a positive scoring differential of +50. In a memorable wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers, Warner threw 5 touchdowns and 4 incompletions while leading the Cards to another playoff win. After suffering a consussion during the divisional round loss to New Orleans, Kurt Warner retired from the NFL.
Warner left a big legacy behind. He was such a fantastic role model who was deeply religious and always grateful for the blessing of being given an improbable opportunity to show he could become a quality NFL quarterback. Tonight was a huge disappointment. Kurt Warner’s impact on and off the field along with influencing millions of people to never lose faith and chase their dreams should have guaranteed Warner a 1st ballot appearance to the Hall of Fame.