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.jpg) Warner in 2022 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1971-06-22)June 22, 1971 (age 54) Burlington, Iowa, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 214 lb (97 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Regis (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Northern Iowa (1989–1993) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1994: undrafted | ||||||||||||||
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Kurtis Eugene Warner (born June 22, 1971) is an American former professionalfootballquarterback who played in theNational Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with theSt. Louis Rams andArizona Cardinals. His career, which saw him ascend from anundrafted free agent to a two-timeMost Valuable Player andSuper Bowl MVP, is widely regarded as one of the greatestCinderella stories in NFL history.[2][3]
After playingcollege football for theNorthern Iowa Panthers from 1990 to 1993, Warner spent four years without being named to an NFL roster. He was signed by theGreen Bay Packers in 1994, but released before the regular season and instead played three seasons for theIowa Barnstormers of theArena Football League (AFL). Warner landed his first NFL roster spot in 1998 with the Rams, holding a backup position until he was thrust into becoming St. Louis's starter the following season. During his first season as an NFL starting quarterback, Warner ledThe Greatest Show on Turf offense to the Rams' firstSuper Bowl title inSuper Bowl XXXIV, earning him league and Super Bowl MVP honors. He won his second league MVP award two years later en route to an appearance inSuper Bowl XXXVI. Released from St. Louis in 2004 amid a performance decline, Warner spent one season with theNew York Giants before revitalizing his career in Arizona. His most successful season with the Cardinals was in 2008 when he led them to the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance inSuper Bowl XLIII.
Considered the NFL's greatest undrafted player,[2][4] Warner is the only undrafted player to be named NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP and the only undrafted quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.[5][6][7] He was also the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl during his first season as the primary starter.[8] Warner was inducted to thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He is the only player inducted to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and theArena Football Hall of Fame.
Born inBurlington, Iowa, Warner playedfootball atRegis High School inCedar Rapids, graduating in 1989. After graduation from high school, he attended theUniversity of Northern Iowa, graduating in 1993. At UNI, Warner was third on the Panthers' depth chart until his senior year. When Warner was finally given the chance to start, he was named theGateway Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference.[9]
| Season | Team | Games | Passing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | ||
| 1990 | Northern Iowa | — | — | — | 8 | 13 | 61.5 | 141 | 2 |
| 1991 | Northern Iowa | — | — | — | 15 | 25 | 60.0 | 25 | 0 |
| 1992 | Northern Iowa | — | — | — | 5 | 18 | 27.8 | 69 | 0 |
| 1993 | Northern Iowa | 12 | 12 | 8–4 | 173 | 296 | 58.4 | 2,747 | 17 |
| Career | 12 | 12 | 8–4 | 201 | 352 | 57.1 | 2,982 | 19 | |
Following hiscollege career, Warner went undrafted in the1994 NFL draft. He was invited to try out for theGreen Bay Packers'training camp in 1994, but was released before the regular season began. Warner was competing for a spot againstBrett Favre,Mark Brunell, and formerHeisman Trophy winnerTy Detmer. While Warner was with the Packers, the head coach wasMike Holmgren, the quarterback coach wasSteve Mariucci, andAndy Reid was the offensive assistant.[10]
In 1994, after his release, Warner stocked shelves and faced products at aHy-Veegrocery store inCedar Falls for $5.50 an hour.[11] He worked the night shift from 9:30 -10 p.m. to 4:00 - 5 a.m. so he could work out and train for football during the day.[12] Warner often cites this starting point when telling of his rise to NFL stardom in 1999. He also mentions that his deepened dedication toChristianity occurred around 1997.[13] Warner returned to Northern Iowa and worked as a graduate assistant coach with the football team, while still hoping to get another tryout with an NFL team.
With no NFL teams willing to give him a chance, Warner turned to theArena Football League (AFL) in 1995 and signed with theIowa Barnstormers. He was named to the AFL's First-teamAll-Arena in both 1996 and 1997 after he led the Barnstormers toArenaBowl appearances in both seasons. Warner's performance was so impressive that he was later named twelfth out of the 20 Best Arena Football Players of all time.[14]
Before the 1997 NFL season, Warner requested and got a tryout with theChicago Bears, but an injury to his throwing elbow caused by an unknown insect bite sustained during his honeymoon prevented him from attending.[15]In 2000, after Warner's breakout NFL season, the AFL used his new fame for the name of its first widely available video game,Kurt Warner's Arena Football Unleashed. Years later, on August 12, 2011, he would be inducted into theArena Football Hall of Fame.
In December 1997 after theSt. Louis Rams' season ended, Warner signed a future contract with the team.[16][17] In February 1998, he was allocated toNFL Europe to play for theAmsterdam Admirals, where he led the league intouchdowns and passing yards.[18][19][20] His backup at the time was futureCarolina Panthers quarterbackJake Delhomme. Returning to the United States, Warner spent the1998 season as St. Louis's third-string quarterback behindTony Banks andSteve Bono, beating out former Virginia Tech quarterbackWill Furrer. He ended his season completing only 4 of 11 pass attempts for 39 yards and a 47.2 quarterback rating.
Prior to the 1999 free-agency period, the Rams chose Warner to be one of the team's five unprotected players in the1999 NFL expansion draft.[21] Warner went unselected by the Cleveland Browns, who chose no Rams and whose only quarterback selection wasScott Milanovich. Warner and the Rams had feared his being selected by the Browns upon learning the Browns hiredJohn Hufnagel for their coaching staff, as Hufnagel had been a rival coach from Warner's Arena League days.[22]
The Rams let Bono leave in free agency and signedTrent Green to be the starter. Banks was traded to the Ravens, and Warner now found himself second on the depth chart. After Green suffered a tornACL via a low hit byRodney Harrison in a preseason game, Rams coachDick Vermeil named Warner as the Rams' starter. In an emotional press conference, Vermeil—who had not seen Warner work with the first-string offense—said, "We will rally around Kurt Warner, and we'll play good football." With the support of running backMarshall Faulk and wide receiversIsaac Bruce,Torry Holt,Az-Zahir Hakim, andRicky Proehl, Warner put together one of the top seasons by a quarterback in NFL history, throwing for 4,353 yards with 41 touchdown passes and a completion rate of 65.1%. The Rams' high-powered offense, run by offensive coordinatorMike Martz, was nicknamed "The Greatest Show on Turf" and registered the first in a string of three consecutive 500-point seasons, an NFL record.[23]
Warner threw three touchdown passes in each of his first three NFL starts, an NFL record until it was surpassed byPatrick Mahomes in 2018. Warner drew more attention in the Rams' fourth game of the season, a home game against theSan Francisco 49ers (who had beenNFC West division champions for 12 of the previous 13 seasons). The Rams lost their last 17 meetings with the 49ers, but Warner proceeded to throw a touchdown pass on each of the Rams' first three possessions of the game, and fourtouchdowns in the first half alone, to propel the Rams to a 28–10 halftime lead on the way to a 42–20 victory. Warner finished the game with five touchdown passes, giving him 14 in four games and the Rams a 4–0 record. Warner's breakout season from a career in anonymity was so unexpected thatSports Illustrated featured him on their October 18 cover with the caption "WhoIs This Guy?"[24] He was named the 1999NFL MVP at the season's end for leading the Rams to their first playoff berth since1989 (when they were still in Los Angeles) and their first division title since1985.[25]
In theplayoffs, Warner and the Rams defeated theMinnesota Vikings 49–37 in theDivisional Round and theTampa Bay Buccaneers 11–6 in theNFC Championship Game before ultimately winningSuper Bowl XXXIV against theTennessee Titans 23–16. In the game, he threw for two touchdowns and a then Super Bowl-record 414 passing yards, including a 73-yard touchdown to Isaac Bruce when the game was tied with just over two minutes to play, which proved to be the game-winning score. Warner also set a Super Bowl record by attempting 45 passes without a single interception. For his performance, Warner was awarded theSuper Bowl MVP award.[26] Warner was the last player to win both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same year untilPatrick Mahomes did so inSuper Bowl LVII in the2022 NFL season.
On July 21, Warner signed a seven-year contract worth $47 million.[27] He started the 2000 season where he had left off in his record-setting 1999 season, racking up 300 or more passing yards in each of his first six games (tyingSteve Young's record) and posting 19 touchdown passes in that stretch. Warner broke his hand and missed the middle of the season, butTrent Green filled in ably and the Warner/Green duo led the Rams to the highest team passing yard total in NFL history, with 5,232 net yards. Warner and Green's combined gross passing yards total was 5,492. In contrast to his previous season, however, Warner's turnover rate drastically increased in 2000, as he threw an interception in 5.2% of his attempts (compared to just 2.6% in 1999). Despite one of the most productive offensive years by an NFL team, the Rams won only ten games and lost in the wild card round to theNew Orleans Saints 31–28. In response to the disappointing season, the Rams cut nine of their eleven defensive starters during the offseason, and Trent Green was traded to theKansas City Chiefs.
Warner returned to MVP form in 2001. Although his performance lagged behind his 1999 performance, he amassed a league-high 36 touchdown passes and 4,830 passing yards, and another league high mark inpasser rating (101.4). Warner's tendency for turnovers carried over from 2000, as he tossed a career-high 22 interceptions (despite completing a career-high 68.7% of his passes), but he still led "The Greatest Show on Turf" to its third consecutive 6–0 start (becoming the first NFL team to do so, later equaled by the2005–2007Indianapolis Colts), an NFL-best 14–2 record, and an appearance inSuper Bowl XXXVI. Warner was also named the NFL MVP for the second time in three seasons, giving the Rams their third winner in as many years (running backMarshall Faulk won in 2000).
In Super Bowl XXXVI, Warner threw for 365 yards (then the second-highest, now the sixth-highest total in Super Bowl history) and a passing touchdown along with a rushing touchdown, but his rhythm was disrupted byNew England Patriots head coachBill Belichick's defensive game plan and he tossed two costly interceptions which helped stake the heavy-underdog Patriots to a two-touchdown lead. After falling behind to the Patriots 17–3, though, the Rams rallied to tie the game late in the fourth quarter on a one-yard Warner quarterback sneak touchdown run and a 26-yard touchdown pass from Warner to Ricky Proehl. The game ended in a 20–17 loss for Warner and the Rams when Patriots kickerAdam Vinatieri kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired, giving the Patriots the first of three Super Bowl wins in four years.[28]
Warner began the 2002 season as the Rams' starter, but he played poorly, throwing seven interceptions against only one touchdown as the team went 0–3. In the Rams' week 4 game against theDallas Cowboys, Warner broke a finger on his throwing hand. Warner attempted to come back later in the season, but his injury allowed him to play only two more games (both losses). In contrast to his 103.0 career passer rating entering the season, Warner posted a minuscule 67.4 rating in 2002.
The following season, Warner was replaced as the Rams' starting quarterback for good after fumbling six times in the team's opening-day game against theNew York Giants. Warner later revealed that he had previously broken his hand and that it had not fully healed, making it more difficult to grip the football.[29] His successor as the Rams' starting quarterback,Marc Bulger (another relatively unheralded quarterback coming out of college), stepped into the breach and played reasonably well upon replacing Warner.
The Rams signed veteranChris Chandler as Bulger's backup.[30] The Rams released Warner on June 1, 2004, with three years left on his contract.[31]
Two days after his release from the Rams, he signed a one-year, $3 million deal with theNew York Giants, with a second year player option worth $6 million.[32] Warner started the 2004 season as the Giants' starting quarterback, winning five of his first seven games, but following a two-game losing streak, highly touted rookie quarterbackEli Manning was given the starting job in a decision made byTom Coughlin not based on Warner's play.[33] The Giants had a 5–4 win–loss record at the time of Warner's benching. Warner made a spot appearance at the end of a Giants blowout loss against theBaltimore Ravens, and it was Warner who advised Coughlin to go to the media and say that Manning was still the starter for the team. It was the last appearance for Warner as a Giant. Ultimately, New York finished at 6–10 (going only 1–6 under Manning). Following the season, Warner chose to void the second year of his contract, and thus became a free agent.
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In early 2005, Warner signed a one-year, $4-million contract with theArizona Cardinals, and was quickly named the starter by coachDennis Green.[27] Warner posted three relatively mediocre performances before injuring his groin and being replaced by former starterJosh McCown. McCown performed well enough in the two games Warner missed that McCown remained the starter.
After McCown struggled in two straight games, Green re-inserted Warner into the starting line-up. After playing fairly well in two consecutive losses (passing for a total of nearly 700 yards), Warner defeated his former team, theSt. Louis Rams, by a score of 38–28. He passed for 285 yards and three touchdowns while posting a quarterback rating of 115.9. Warner's season ended in week 15 when he partially tore hisMCL.[34]
Warner signed a new three-year extension with the Cardinals on February 14, 2006. The deal had a base salary of $18 million and, with performance incentives, could have been worth as much as $24 million.[35]
In week 1 of the 2006 NFL season, Warner won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award, throwing for 301 yards and three touchdowns in a win over theSan Francisco 49ers. Two weeks later, Warner passed the 20,000-yard passing milestone in his 76th game, the second-quickest of any player in NFL history (Warner accomplished the feat in one game more than it took record-holder Dan Marino).
After three subpar games in Weeks 2–4, Warner was replaced as quarterback by rookieMatt Leinart in the fourth quarter of week 4. Head coach Dennis Green stated that Warner would be the backup quarterback for the remainder of the season. In week 16, Leinart went down with a shoulder injury against the 49ers, forcing Warner to see his first action since week 4. Warner filled in nicely, as he was able to hang on for the Cardinals win. In week 17 against theSan Diego Chargers, Warner started again in place of the injured Leinart, throwing for 365 yards (which led the NFL for that week) and a touchdown, though the Chargers were able to hold on for a 27–20 win.
Leinart was given the starting quarterback job at the start of the 2007 season. However, in the third game of the season, against theBaltimore Ravens, Warner came off the bench to relieve an ineffective Leinart during the 4th quarter with the Ravens leading 23–6 at the beginning of the quarter. Warner led a furious comeback, as he completed 15 of 20 passes for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns. This brought Arizona to a tie game (23–23), though Arizona would go on to lose the game 26–23 after Baltimore kicked a last-second field goal.[36]
On September 30, 2007, during the week four game against thePittsburgh Steelers, Warner relieved Leinart again, following another ineffective start. Warner finished with 14 completed of 21 attempts for 132 yards with one touchdown pass and no interceptions, while Leinart re-entered the game in the 4th quarter and led the Cardinals to their final touchdown.[37] After Leinart was placed on injured reserve, Warner was named starter for the remainder of the 2007 season.[38]
Warner passed for a career-high 484 yards against theSan Francisco 49ers in a 37–31 loss on November 25, but had a fumble in the end zone in overtime that was recovered byTully Banta-Cain, and the Cardinals lost.[39] However, the following week Warner improved; and the Cardinals earned a victory over theCleveland Browns that brought the Cardinals to 6–6 and kept them in the chase for the NFC Wild Card playoff spot.[40] Warner finished the 2007 season with 27 passing touchdowns, just one shy of the Cardinals franchise record.
Leinart was named the Cardinals' starting quarterback going into the 2008 off-season, butKen Whisenhunt stated that it would be very possible for Warner to be the starter before week one of theregular season. Indeed, Warner was named the starter on August 30, 2008. That season, Warner had 4,583 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 67.1%. He was the top ranked passer in the National Football Conference for the third time, and only trailedPhilip Rivers andChad Pennington of the AFC in NFL passer rating for the season.[41] Warner also receivedFedEx Air Player of the Week honors for his performance during weeks 9 and 11 of the season. He had his struggles during the season, as in week 3 of the season versus theNew York Jets, his team turned the ball over 7 times. This included an interception for a touchdown, and two interceptions resulting in a touchdown and a field goal in just the second quarter. Warner still managed to get his team to score 35 points in a 56–35 loss.[42]
On December 7, 2008, Warner led the Cardinals to a 34–10 win over his former team, theSt. Louis Rams, securing for the Cardinals the NFC West Division title and their first playoff berth since1998.[43] It was the Cardinals' first division title since1975 (when they were inSt. Louis) and third of the post-merger era. As a result, the Cardinals earned a home playoff game, only their second ever, and their first in Arizona. (Despite winning division titles in the1974 and 1975 seasons in St. Louis, the Cardinals played on the road in the playoffs as a result of the playoff structure in those days.) On December 16, 2008, Warner was named the starting quarterback for the NFC team in the2009 Pro Bowl.[44]
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On January 3, 2009, Warner led the Cardinals in their victory over theAtlanta Falcons 30–24 athome in the first round of the playoffs. During the game Warner went 19 for 32 passing, a completion percentage of 59.4%, for 271 yards. He threw two touchdowns and one interception.[45]
On January 10, Warner helped the Cardinals defeat theCarolina Panthers 33–13 inCharlotte, North Carolina in the second round of the playoffs. During the game Warner went 21 for 32 passing, for 220 yards, a completion percentage of 65.6%, with two touchdowns and one interception.[46] This win was the first time the Cardinals had won a game on the East Coast the entire 2008 season, after having lost away games to the Panthers,Washington Redskins,Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and theNew England Patriots.[47]
On January 18, Warner threw for 279 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions against the Philadelphia Eagles to lead the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl appearance in history.[48] Warner became the second quarterback to start aSuper Bowl with multiple teams and first sinceCraig Morton (Warner has since been joined byPeyton Manning andTom Brady).[49]
In Warner's third career Super Bowl appearance on February 1, the Cardinals lostSuper Bowl XLIII 27–23 to thePittsburgh Steelers, leaving him with a career 1–2 record in Super Bowls. Despite losing, Warner still managed to throw for 377 yards (the fourth-highest total in Super Bowl history as of 2023). He completed 72.1% of his passes, and had a quarterback rating of 112.3.[50] Warner had thus recorded the three highest single-game passing yardage totals in Super Bowl history up to that point, and joinedRoger Staubach,Terry Bradshaw,Joe Montana,John Elway,Tom Brady, andPatrick Mahomes as the only quarterbacks to throw a touchdown pass in three Super Bowls. Warner took his team to the Super Bowl every year that he played as the starting quarterback during all regular and post season games.[51]
Warner announced his desire to return to the Cardinals for the 2009 season. The Cardinals offered him a two-year contract worth around $20 million but Warner was looking for a contract that would pay him about $14 million a year and the two sides could not come to an agreement. On February 27, 2009, Warner became afree agent and went on to have talks with theSan Francisco 49ers.[52] The 49ers offered Warner a contract worth more than that offered by the Cardinals. On March 4, Warner re-signed with the Cardinals to a two-year deal worth $23 million total, $4 million for each of the next two years, with a $15 million signing bonus, and $19 million guaranteed.[53] Warner underwentarthroscopic hip surgery to repair a tornlabrum on March 17, 2009.[54] On September 20, 2009, Warner broke the NFL's single-game record for completion percentage in the regular season, completing 24 of 26 passing for 243 yards and two touchdowns in a 31–17 win against theJacksonville Jaguars. Warner's 92.3% completion rate broke the previous NFL record set byVinny Testaverde in 1993.[55]
On November 1, 2009, Warner threw a career-high-equaling five interceptions during a loss to theCarolina Panthers.[56] During the same game Warner became the first quarterback in the NFL to throw for over 14,000 yards with two teams. On November 8, Warner equaled his career-high of five touchdown passes in a single game during a 41–21 victory over theChicago Bears.[57] This performance led to Warner being named both the NFC Offensive Player of the Week[58] and the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week.[59] On November 15, 2009, Warner reached a career milestone with his 200th touchdown pass during a 31–20 win against theSeattle Seahawks.[60]
On November 22, 2009, during a 21–13 victory over theSt. Louis Rams, Warner left the game after suffering aconcussion.[61] Warner continued to suffer from post-concussion symptoms and on November 29, 2009, he was deactivated against theTennessee Titans, breaking his consecutive starts streak at 41 games.[61][62] On December 6, 2009, Warner returned to action as the Cardinals defeated theMinnesota Vikings 30–17. Warner registered his fourth consecutive game with a passer rating of 120 or better, making him only the second quarterback in NFL history to accomplish the feat.[63] After his three-touchdown performance, Warner was named both the NFC Offensive Player of the Week[64] and the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week.[65]
On December 27, 2009, Warner became only the second quarterback in NFL history to throw 100 touchdown passes with two teams (Hall of FamerFran Tarkenton is the other), in the Cardinals' 31–10 win over the St. Louis Rams.[66] On December 29, 2009, Warner was named an alternate quarterback for the NFC team in the2010 Pro Bowl.[67]
On January 10, 2010, Warner threw five touchdowns and completed 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards ina 51–45 victory over theGreen Bay Packers.[68] The game had the highest combined total score in NFL playoff history.[69] Warner became one of the very few quarterbacks in NFL history to throw more touchdowns (5) than incompletions (4) in a playoff game. Warner finished the game with the second highest quarterback rating in NFL playoff history with a rating of 154.1.[70] He also became the second quarterback to throw for five touchdown passes in a playoff game twice, and the first to do so since themerger of the leagues. He is also the oldest player to have thrown that many touchdown passes in a playoff game (38 years, 202 days). Warner also tied the NFL record forconsecutive playoff games with at least three touchdown passes (three games). Since the playoff game was his last at home in the playoffs during his career, he finished a perfect 7–0 in home contests (4–0 with St. Louis; 3–0 with Arizona).[71]
On January 16, Warner was injured in the first half trying to tackle the ball carrier after an interception on the way to a 45–14 loss to theNew Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Round.[72][73] He returned for the second half, but yielded to understudyMatt Leinart midway through the fourth quarter. In 2012, the NFL discovered the Saints had placed abounty on Warner.[74] Warner never accused the Saints of making an illegal hit or ending his career, saying "It was a violent hit, no question. But I also believe it was a legal hit."[75]
Warner officially announced his retirement from the NFL in January 2010. He said he was looking forward to finally being a true father to his seven kids, and that he wanted to spend time with his wife. He spoke on the impact and influence of his family, former teammates, and God.[76] He became eligible for induction into theHall of Fame following the 2014 season. In December 2014, Warner admitted he briefly considered coming out of retirement and returning to the Cardinals following the team losingCarson Palmer andDrew Stanton due to injuries.[77]
Warner became an Iowa Barnstormers broadcaster for the2011 Arena Football League season. In May 2010, he was inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame.[78] He is also a member of the Iowa Barnstormers Hall of Fame.
Warner was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.[79]
Warner was selected for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2017. He was inducted on August 5, 2017, alongsideMorten Andersen,Terrell Davis,Kenny Easley,Jerry Jones,Jason Taylor, andLaDainian Tomlinson. Warner is the only person inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Arena Football Hall of Fame.
From 2015 to 2018, Warner was a coach atDesert Mountain High School inScottsdale, Arizona.[80] Notably,Kedon Slovis played under Warner before being recruited by theUSC Trojans for the2019 college football season.[81]
Since 2019, Warner has been the quarterbacks coach atBrophy College Preparatory.[82][83]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| APNFL MVP | |
| Super Bowl MVP | |
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| NFL record | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | TD | Sck | SckY | ||
| 1995 | Iowa Barnstormers | 12 | 12 | 7–5 | 237 | 400 | 59.2 | 2,980 | 7.4 | 46 | 43 | 14 | 94.8 | 29 | −67 | −2.3 | 4 | 15 | 115 |
| 1996 | Iowa Barnstormers | 14 | 14 | 12–2 | 259 | 422 | 61.4 | 3,336 | 7.9 | 45 | 61 | 15 | 107.5 | 21 | 7 | 0.3 | 7 | 13 | 122 |
| 1997 | Iowa Barnstormers | 14 | 14 | 11–3 | 322 | 498 | 64.7 | 4,149 | 8.3 | 46 | 79 | 14 | 118.6 | 12 | 22 | 1.8 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 40 | 40 | 30–10 | 818 | 1,320 | 61.9 | 10,465 | 7.9 | 46 | 183 | 43 | 107.8 | 62 | –38 | –0.6 | 16 | 28 | 237 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | ||
| 1998 | Amsterdam Admirals | 10 | 10 | 7–3 | 165 | 326 | 50.6 | 2,101 | 6.4 | 47 | 15 | 6 | 78.8 | 19 | 17 | 0.9 | 13 | 1 | 28 | 186 |
| Career | 10 | 10 | 7–3 | 165 | 326 | 50.6 | 2,101 | 6.4 | 47 | 15 | 6 | 78.8 | 19 | 17 | 0.9 | 13 | 1 | 28 | 186 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Y/G | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1998 | STL | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 11 | 36.4 | 39 | 3.5 | 39.0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 47.7 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | STL | 16 | 16 | 13–3 | 325 | 499 | 65.1 | 4,353 | 8.7 | 272.1 | 75 | 41 | 13 | 109.2 | 23 | 92 | 4.0 | 22 | 1 | 29 | 201 | 9 | 5 |
| 2000 | STL | 11 | 11 | 8–3 | 235 | 347 | 67.7 | 3,429 | 9.9 | 311.7 | 85 | 21 | 18 | 98.3 | 18 | 17 | 0.9 | 11 | 0 | 20 | 115 | 4 | 1 |
| 2001 | STL | 16 | 16 | 14–2 | 375 | 546 | 68.7 | 4,830 | 8.8 | 301.9 | 65 | 36 | 22 | 101.4 | 28 | 60 | 2.1 | 23 | 0 | 38 | 233 | 10 | 4 |
| 2002 | STL | 7 | 6 | 0–6 | 144 | 220 | 65.5 | 1,431 | 6.5 | 204.4 | 43 | 3 | 11 | 67.4 | 8 | 33 | 4.1 | 9 | 0 | 21 | 130 | 8 | 2 |
| 2003 | STL | 2 | 1 | 0–1 | 38 | 65 | 58.5 | 365 | 5.6 | 182.5 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 72.9 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 38 | 6 | 3 |
| 2004 | NYG | 10 | 9 | 5–4 | 174 | 277 | 62.8 | 2,054 | 7.4 | 205.4 | 62 | 6 | 4 | 86.5 | 13 | 30 | 2.3 | 13 | 1 | 39 | 196 | 12 | 4 |
| 2005 | ARI | 10 | 10 | 2–8 | 242 | 375 | 64.5 | 2,713 | 7.2 | 271.3 | 63 | 11 | 9 | 85.8 | 13 | 28 | 2.2 | 13 | 0 | 23 | 158 | 9 | 5 |
| 2006 | ARI | 6 | 5 | 1–4 | 108 | 168 | 64.3 | 1,377 | 8.2 | 229.5 | 64 | 6 | 5 | 89.3 | 13 | 3 | 0.2 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 104 | 10 | 3 |
| 2007 | ARI | 14 | 11 | 5–6 | 281 | 441 | 62.3 | 3,417 | 7.6 | 244.1 | 62 | 27 | 17 | 89.8 | 17 | 15 | 0.9 | 9 | 1 | 20 | 140 | 12 | 6 |
| 2008 | ARI | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 401 | 598 | 67.1 | 4,583 | 7.7 | 286.4 | 79 | 30 | 14 | 96.9 | 18 | −2 | −0.1 | 11 | 0 | 26 | 182 | 11 | 7 |
| 2009 | ARI | 15 | 15 | 10–5 | 339 | 513 | 66.1 | 3,753 | 7.1 | 250.2 | 45 | 26 | 14 | 93.2 | 21 | 10 | 0.5 | 10 | 0 | 24 | 172 | 11 | 6 |
| Career | 124 | 116 | 67–49 | 2,666 | 4,070 | 65.5 | 32,344 | 7.9 | 260.8 | 85 | 208 | 128 | 93.7 | 173 | 286 | 1.7 | 23 | 3 | 260 | 1,669 | 102 | 46 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Y/G | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1999 | STL | 3 | 3 | 3–0 | 77 | 121 | 63.6 | 1,063 | 8.8 | 354.3 | 77 | 8 | 4 | 100.0 | 6 | 3 | 0.5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 24 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000 | STL | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 24 | 40 | 60.0 | 365 | 9.1 | 365.0 | 38 | 3 | 3 | 83.9 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 1 |
| 2001 | STL | 3 | 3 | 2–1 | 68 | 107 | 63.6 | 793 | 7.4 | 264.3 | 50 | 4 | 3 | 86.7 | 9 | 8 | 0.9 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 45 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003 | STL | 0 | 0 | — | DNP | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | ARI | 4 | 4 | 3–1 | 92 | 135 | 68.1 | 1,147 | 8.5 | 286.8 | 71 | 11 | 3 | 112.2 | 8 | 1 | 0.1 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | ARI | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 46 | 59 | 78.0 | 584 | 9.9 | 292.0 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 129.1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Career | 13 | 13 | 9–4 | 307 | 462 | 66.5 | 3,952 | 8.6 | 304.0 | 77 | 31 | 14 | 102.8 | 25 | 17 | 0.7 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 116 | 10 | 3 | |
Warner shares several records:
Kurt Warner was born to Gene and Sue Warner. Warner's parents divorced when he was six. Kurt and his brother, Matt, lived with their mother, including through another short marriage and divorce.[93]
Kurt's father, Gene Warner, remarried a year after divorcing Kurt's mother. Warner's stepmother, Mimi Warner, also had a son named Matt (Post). The three boys formed a close relationship soon thereafter. Kurt graduated in 1989 fromRegis High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was quarterback of the school's Class 3A football team.
Warner graduated from University of Northern Iowa with a degree in communications.[94]
During college, Warner met his future wife, Brenda Carney Meoni; they married on October 11, 1997. Brenda is a formerUnited States Marine Corps corporal. She was divorced with two children, one of whom was left brain damaged and blind after being accidentally dropped by Brenda's ex-husband, leading to her hardship discharge from the Marines in 1990.[95]
After Warner was cut from the Packers' training camp in 1994, he got a job working thenight shift as a night stock clerk at a localHy-Vee grocery store, in addition to his work as an assistant coach at Northern Iowa. While Warner was working as an assistant coach, the couple were living in Warner's parents' basement in Cedar Falls. Brenda's parents were killed in 1996 when theirMountain View, Arkansas, home was destroyed by a tornado. Warner and Brenda married on October 11, 1997, at the St. John American Lutheran Church, the same place where the service for Brenda's parents was held.[96] Warner was still hoping to get an NFL tryout, but with that possibility appearing dim and the long hours at Hy-Vee forminimum wage taking their toll, Warner began his Arena League career.[97]
After marrying Brenda, Warner officially adopted her two children from her first marriage; they have since had five children together. His sonE. J. is the starting quarterback for the Fresno State Bulldogs. Another son,Kade, played wide receiver for theKansas State Wildcats and signed with theTampa Bay Buccaneers in April 2023.
Kurt and Brenda Warner are devoutevangelical Christians. His faith first emerged on the national stage following the Rams' Super Bowl victory, where he was named the game's MVP:
Mike Tirico fromABC: "Kurt, first things first — tell me about the final touchdown pass to Isaac."
Kurt Warner: "Well, first things first, I've got to thank my Lord and Savior up above — thank you,Jesus!"[98]
Nine years later, upon leading the Cardinals to the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl, Warner's response was similar:
Terry Bradshaw fromFox: "You're not going to like this, but you're the third oldest quarterback to ever play in the Super Bowl. How does that make you feel?"
Kurt Warner: "Everybody's going to be tired of hearing this, but I never get tired of saying it. There's one reason that I'm standing up on this stage today. That's because of my Lord up above. I've got to say thanks to Jesus; you knew I was going to do it, but I've got to do it. And secondly, I've gotta say thanks to you guys (motioning to the Arizona fans); when nobody else believed in us, when nobody else believed in me, you guys did. And we're going to the Super Bowl!"[99]
Warner has usually attendedcharismatic churches, and believes that Godhealed him from a concussion he suffered in 2000. However, he eschews the term "charismatic". In 2001, he toldCharisma, "I'm just a Christian."[100]
In 2010, Warner joinedNFL Network as an analyst. He can be seen regularly onNFL Total Access, as well as in-studio on NFL Network'sThursday Night Football pregame show,Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears.[101] Warner also served as an analyst for theNFL Network's coverage of the 2010Arena Football League playoffs. Warner tested positive forCOVID-19 in January 2021, and was unable to serve on the studio panel forNFL GameDay Morning for the wild card playoff round.[102]
In August 2010,Fox Sports announced that Warner would be serving as acolor analyst on the network'sNFL coverage in the2010 season. He teamed with play-by-play announcersChris Rose orChris Myers to call regional games.[103]
In 2014,Westwood One radio hired Warner as a substitute analyst onMonday Night Football games when regular analystBoomer Esiason is unavailable.[104] In 2018, Warner became the full-time radio analyst.[105]
On January 27, 2009, Warner made a special appearance on theNBC reality showThe Biggest Loser.[106]
Warner made a guest appearance onDisney'sThe Suite Life on Deck as himself, in the episode "Any Given Fantasy" which aired on January 18, 2010.[107]
On February 9, 2010, Warner was a surprise guest on the final episode ofThe Jay Leno Show.[108]
On August 30, 2010, it was announced on live television that Warner would be appearing as a contestant onDancing with the Stars. His professional dance partner wasAnna Trebunskaya; the couple was eliminated in week 8, the Instant Choreography Week.
Warner appeared as the host ofThe Moment, a reality series onUSA Network, in 2013.[109]
| Television guest appearances | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | The Biggest Loser | Himself | Season 7, episode 4 |
| 2010 | The Suite Life on Deck | Himself | Episode: "Any Given Fantasy" (season 2) |
| The Jay Leno Show | Himself | Surprise visit on thefinal show | |
| Dancing with the Stars | Himself | Season 11 contestant | |
| 2015 | Bella and the Bulldogs | Himself | Episode: "Wide Deceiver" (season 2 premiere) |
| 2017 | Life in Pieces | Himself | Episode: "Tailgate Spiral Souvenir Seating" (Season 2) |
In 2003,GoodTimes Entertainment released the direct-to-home videoKurt Warner's Good Sports Gang, a film featuring Warner as the "coach" of a group of animated sports balls. The series was sponsored by Warner, and focused on religious faith and moral values.[110] A portion of the proceeds went to Warner'sFirst Things First Foundation.[111] Although it was originally planned as a series,Episode 1: Elliot the Invincible, was the only release along with Together, We're Better (Episode 2) and a few shorts featuring Warner and his adopted daughter, Jesse Warner.
In February 2020, it was announced that theErwin Brothers were creating and releasing a theatrical film about Warner's life titledAmerican Underdog,[112] withZachary Levi as Warner. The film was produced byKingdom Story Company, and distributed byLionsgate on December 25, 2021, to generally favorable reviews.[113]
On December 3, 2010, Warner's first multi-year post-retirement endorsement agreement was announced.[114]Amway North America announced that it had signed Warner to a multi-year endorsement agreement to represent theNutrilite brand. Amway reportedly agreed to make a $50,000 donation to Kurt Warner'sFirst Things First Foundation.[115]
In addition to his post-retirement endorsements and charity work, Warner has invested in theElite Football League of India, a South Asian professional football league. Other prominent American backers include formerChicago Bears head coachMike Ditka, formerDallas Cowboys wide receiverMichael Irvin, sports analyst and former NFL quarterbackRon Jaworski, and actorMark Wahlberg.[116][117] Warner's total investment amount remains undisclosed, although $50,000 of it will go towards a donation of footballs to schools and underprivileged children throughout India.[118]
Warner was one of three Iowa college athletes, each from one of the state's three public four-year universities, to be the subjects ofbutter sculptures at the 2023Iowa State Fair. Warner was joined byCaitlin Clark (Iowa basketball) andJack Trice (Iowa State football).[119]
Warner has also appeared in severalpublic service announcements forCivitan International, promoting his and Brenda's volunteer efforts and their work with thedevelopmentally disabled.[120] This issue is personally close to Warner, as Zachary, his adopted son from Brenda's first marriage, suffered major brain damage as an infant when his biological father accidentally dropped him.
Warner has devoted time and money to hisFirst Things First Foundation, the name of which was derived from his interview after winning the Super Bowl in 1999. The foundation is dedicated to impacting lives by promoting Christian values, sharing experiences and providing opportunities to encourage everyone that all things are possible when people seek to put "first things first". The foundation has been involved with numerous projects for causes such as children's hospitals, people with developmental disabilities and assisting single parents.[121] Warner's work both on and off the field resulted in him being awarded the NFLWalter Payton Man of the Year Award 2008, which was presented to him at the start ofSuper Bowl XLIII.[122] In March 2009, Warner was honored with theMuhammad Ali Sports Leadership Award.[123] Warner was selected byUSA Weekend as the winner of its annual Most Caring Athlete Award for 2009.[124] In December 2009, Warner topped aSports Illustrated poll of NFL players to name the best role model on and off the field in the NFL.[125]
In February 2010, Warner received the annualBart Starr Award, given for outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.[126] At the award presentation,Bart Starr said of Warner: "We have never given this award to anyone who is more deserving".[127]
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| National | |
| Other | |
