Kurt Warner Named Finalist for NFL Hall of Fame

Kurt Warner’s unlikely path is nearing another step towards the ultimate honor in his field. The Iowa native and former UNI quarterback is one of 15 finalists to be voted upon for a place in the NFL Hall of Fame, according to a Des Moines Register article.

Most football fans in Iowa are familiar with at least part of Kurt’s story: From playing only as a senior at UNI, the Cedar Rapids (Regis) native went undrafted and failed to make the Packers team in his first NFL tryout. He then stocked shelves at Hy-Vee, starred for the Iowa Barnstormers for three years, and was finally given a chance by the NFL. First, he broke records in NFL Europe before the St. Louis Rams called on him. He won 2 MVP awards and took the Rams and the Cardinals to a total of three Super Bowls, winning one with the Rams in his first magical season of 1999. Along the way, Kurt was and still is a respected Christian and family man who married Brenda, adopted her two kids and had five more with her.

For those of us who have forgotten, Warner wasn’t even the starter to begin that Super Bowl season! Trent Green went down with an injury in the preseason and some expected the Rams to sign a free agent to lead the team. Coach Dick Vermeil stuck with Kurt, who went on to throw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns and was named the NFL MVP and threw for record yardage in the biggest game while being named Super Bowl MVP - in his first NFL campaign!

Warner retired from the NFL following the 2009 season. His name is all over the record books with totals of well over 30,000 yards and 200 touchdowns - in just over 100 starts!

Joining Warner as finalists for enshrinement in Canton, Ohio are well known players Jerome Bettis, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Davis, coach Tony Dungy and others. Other first-year candidates are the late Junior Seau and Kurt’s former teammate, Orlando Pace.

The hall of fame’s 46-member selection committee meets Jan. 31, the day before Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona, to choose no more than five of the 15 modern-day finalists for enshrinement. In an impressive group, Warner may be against the odds again to get the needed 80% vote from the committee.

“I very much understand why there would be arguments against me,” he told the Register in his normal humble manner. “There are things that I can’t change. If I didn’t play long enough, or have a big enough body of work, it is what it is. I’m proud of what I accomplished.”

Photo Credit: www.lostlettermen.com

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