Kurt Warner

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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.

In Their Own Story

The 2008 season stands as the pinnacle of Warner's Arizona career. After years of rebuilding and his brief stint in New York, he found stability and success with the Cardinals. Leading the team through the playoffs, he reached Super Bowl XLIII, where they faced a formidable opponent. This achievement capped off a remarkable journey for Warner, who had previously won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams and earned MVP honors in both 1999 and 2001. His ability to elevate a team from obscurity to the championship round defined his time in Arizona.

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, though this was not a record as Joe Montana had thrown for 422 yards in Super Bowl XXIII.
• He is the only undrafted quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.