Kurt Warner

One of the few undrafted quarterbacks to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory

Kurtis Eugene Warner (born June 22, 1971) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals. His career, which saw him ascend from an undrafted free agent to a two-time Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl MVP, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Cinderella stories in NFL history.

Quick Facts

Position: Quarterback
Born: 22 June 1971
Birthplace: Burlington, Iowa, U.S.
High school: Regis (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
College: Northern Iowa (1989–1993)

Lore & Background

Warner played college football for the Northern Iowa Panthers from 1990 to 1993. He spent four years without being named to an NFL roster. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers in 1994, but released before the regular season and instead played three seasons for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League (AFL). Warner landed his first NFL roster spot in 1998 with the Rams, holding a backup position until he became St. Louis's starter in 1999.

During his first season as an NFL starting quarterback, Warner led The Greatest Show on Turf offense to the Rams' first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXIV, earning league and Super Bowl MVP honors. He won his second league MVP award two years later en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVI. Released from St. Louis in 2004, Warner spent one season with the New 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 in Super Bowl XLIII.

Reader's Guide

Warner is considered the NFL's greatest undrafted player. He 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. He was also the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl during his first season as the primary starter. Warner was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He is the only player inducted to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Arena Football Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

Warner worked the night shift at a Hy-Vee grocery store for $5.50 an hour after being released by the Packers in 1994.
He led the Iowa Barnstormers to ArenaBowl appearances in both 1996 and 1997.
Warner threw for 414 yards in Super Bowl XXXIV, which was a Super Bowl record at the time, surpassing Joe Montana's 357 yards in Super Bowl XXIV.
He is one of the few undrafted quarterbacks to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory, alongside Jeff Hostetler, who won Super Bowl XXV with the Giants.