By ED FINKELSTEIN
Publisher
Hollywood, FL – Kurt Warner, the star quarterback who led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl Championship in the year 2000, told the Labor Tribune in an interview here over the Super Bowl weekend, that he is not returning to St. Louis to begin the next phase of his life after football.
Warner was named the winner of the 2010 Bart Starr Award at a ceremony at the Super Bowl. He told the Labor Tribune that he will stay connected to St. Louis but for now, does not plan on making St. Louis his permanent home. Instead, he and his family will remain in Tempe, Arizona, where two weeks ago he announced his retirement from football as an Arizona Cardinal.
“I plan on staying connected to St. Louis,” he said. “I have my Foundation there that will continue its work, and a lot of friends, good friends. But for now, God took me to Arizona so I’ll be staying there.”
Warner was named 2010 winner of the Bart Starr Award for his ongoing commitment to his family, community and teammates at the annual breakfast hosted by Athletes in Action, a sports ministry that has a presence in 85 countries, on nearly 100 U.S. college campuses, and on 35 U.S. professional sports teams. The award is a highlight event during each year’s Super Bowl weekend.
The award is named after legendary quarterback Bart Starr who, in addition to being in the NFL Hall of Fame, was selected as Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Super Bowls I and II. Starr is an individual of impeccable character who has served his family and community faithfully through the years and is a role model for athletes and business people alike. The award was created to honor the NFL player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.
In his acceptance speech, Warner, in the humble and sincere manner for which he is known, said that his successes over the past 12 years in the NFL were a platform for his real work off the field, work directed by God. “Football has been a means (for me) to reach out and impact people’s lives. This award represents what you can do to impact other people’s lives, to allow you to leave a legacy far beyond football.”
FUN WAS WANING
He said that over the past couple of years, the “fun” of the game was waning for him and that by the middle of this last season, which saw Warner lead the Cardinals deep into the playoffs this past season, he was not enjoying the game, that God has taken away his desire and that helped him make the decision to retire.
Warner’s 12-year NFL run saw him come from a role as grocery clerk, to playing overseas and then coming to St. Louis as a backup quarterback, ultimately winning the top job and creating the “Greatest Show on Turf,” winning St. Louis’s first Super Bowl championship in 2000. Along the way, he earned two NFL MVP awards, five Pro-Bowls, and three Super Bowls.
His First Things First Foundation helps children suffering from serious illnesses, provides help to single mothers, sends care package to servicemen and women overseas and support many charitable organizations.
During an informal give-and-take with ESPN’s Chris Mortensen serving as emcee, Warner and his wife Brenda talked about their personal relationship, their continuing efforts to serve God and their lives together. It was a very personal moment enjoyed by the more than 1,500 attending the early morning breakfast.
Others on the program included Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick (a rumored potential quarterback for the Rams who was totally non-committal when asked by the Labor Tribune about the St. Louis rumors), former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, retired Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Anthony Munoz, retired Tampa Bay Buccaneers Line Backer Derrick Brooks and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
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