Kurt Warner

1999 NFC – St. Louis Rams 11, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6
Warner started at quarterback. He completed 26 of 43 passes for 258 yards, one TD and three interceptions. He had two rushes for minus-one yard and one fumble.

2001 NFC – St. Louis Rams 29, Philadelphia Eagles 24
Warner started at quarterback. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 212 yards and one TD. He had two rushes for two yards and one fumble.

2008 NFC – Arizona Cardinals 32, Philadelphia Eagles 25
Warner started at quarterback. He completed 21 of 28 passes for 279 yards and four TDs.

Super Bowls

Super Bowl XXXIV – St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
Warner started at quarterback. He completed 24 of 45 passes for Super Bowl record 414 yards and two TDs. He also had one rush for one yard, one fumble and one fumble recovery. Warner was named MVP of the game.

Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
Warner started at quarterback. He completed 28 of 44 passes for 365 yards, one TD and two interceptions. He had three rushes for six yards, one fumble and one fumble recovery.

Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
Warner started at quarterback. He completed 31 of 43 passes for 377 yards, three TDs and one interception. He also had one rush for zero yards, and two fumbles.
 

All-League Teams

All-Pro: 1999 (AP, PFWA, SN)  •  2001 (AP, PFWA, SN)
    
All-NFC Team: 1999 (PW)  •  2001 (PW)  

 

Pro Bowls

(4) – 2000, 2001*, 2002, 2009

* Did not play

 

In the NFL Record Book

(at time of his retirement following 2009 season)

• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 92.31 (vs. Jacksonville, Sept. 20, 2009)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Games, 300 or More Yards Passing – 6 (2000)
• [2nd] Highest Completion Percentage, Career – 65.50  
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Games, 300 or More Yards Passing, Season – 9 (1999, 2001)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Games, 300 or More Yards Passing – 5 (2008)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Fumbles, Game – 6 (vs. New York Giants, Sept. 7, 2003)
• [3rd] Most Passing Yards, Season – 4,830 (2001)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Seasons Leading League, Completion Percentage – 3 (1999-2001)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games, 300 or More Yards Passing, Season – 8 (2000)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Games, 300 or More Yards Passing – 4 (1999)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Seasons Leading League in Average Gain Passing – 3 (1999-2001)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Seasons Leading League in Average Gain Passing – 3 (1999-2001)
 

Postseason Records

• [1st] Highest Average Passing Gain, Career – 8.55
• [2nd] Highest Completion Percentage, Career – 66.5  
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Games, 300 or More Yards Passing, Career – 6
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 5 (vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000, Green Bay, Jan. 10, 2010)  
• [3rd] Highest Passer Rating, Career – 102.8
• [3rd] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 87.9 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 10, 2010)  
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Games, 300 or More Yards Passing – 2 (1999-2000, 2008-09)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 4 (vs. Philadelphia, Jan. 18, 2009)

Super Bowl Records

•    [1st] Most Yards Passing, Career – 1,156
•    [1st] Most Yards Passing, Game – 414 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
•    [Tied for 1st] Most Fumbles Recovered, Career – 2
•    [2nd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 377 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
•    [2nd] Most Passing Attempts Without and Interception, Game – 45 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
•    [Tied for 2nd] Most Passes Completed, Career – 83
•    [Tied for 2nd] Most Passes Completed, Game – 31 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
•    [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Completions, Game – 10 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
•    [Tied for 2nd] Most Fumbles, Career – 4
•    [Tied for 2nd] Most Fumbles, Game – 2 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
•    [3rd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 365 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
 

Team Records

Rams records held by Warner
(Records through the 2003 season, Warner's final season with St. Louis)

• [1st] Highest Passer Rating, Career – 97.2
• [1st] Highest Passer Rating, Season – 109.2 (1999)
• [1st] Most Pass Completions, Season – 375 (2001)
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Career – 66.4
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Season – 67.7 (2000)
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 86.9 (vs. San Francisco, Oct. 10, 1999)
• [1st] Most Yards Passing, Season – 4,830 (2001)
• [1st] Most Games, 300 or More Yards Passing, Career – 30
• [1st] Most Games, 300 or More Yards Passing, Season – 9 (1999, 2001)
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games, 300 or More Yards Passing – 6 (2000)
• [1st] Highest Average Gain Passing, Career – 8.56  
• [1st] Most Passing Touchdowns, Season – 41 (1999)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Passing Touchdowns, Game – 5 (vs. San Francisco, Oct. 10, 1999)  
• [Tied for 1st] Most Games, Four or More Touchdown Passes, Career – 6
• [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Season – 546 (2001)
• [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Game – 54 (at N.Y. Giants, Sept. 7, 2003)
• [2nd] Highest Completion Percentage, Season – 65.1 (1999)
• [2nd] Most Yards Passing, Season – 4,353 (1999)
• [2nd] Most Seasons, 3,000 or More Yards Passing – 3 (1999-2001)
• [2nd] Most Games, 300 or More Yards Passing, Season – 7 (2000)
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games, 300 or More Yards Passing – 4 (1999)
• [2nd] Highest Average Gain Passing, Season – 9.88 (2000)  
• [2nd] Most Passing Touchdowns, Season – 36 (2001)  
• [2nd] Most Games, Four or More Touchdown Passes, Season – 3 (2001)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Pass Completions, Game – 35 (at Seattle, Sept. 10, 2000)
• [3rd] Lowest Interception Percentage, Career – 3.85
• [3rd] Highest Passer Rating, Season – 101.4 (2001)
• [3rd] Most Pass Completions, Career – 1,121
• [3rd] Most Pass Completions, Season – 325 (1999)
• [3rd] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 84.4 (vs. Minnesota, Dec. 10, 2000)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Pass Completions, Game – 34 (at N.Y. Giants, Sept. 7, 2003)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Pass Completions – 15 (at Washington, Nov. 24, 2002)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games, Four or More Touchdown Passes, Season – 2 (2000)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Interceptions, Season – 22 (2001)

Postseason Records

• [1st] Most Passing Completions, Game – 28 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI) 
• [1st] Most Consecutive Pass Completions – 12 (vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000) 
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 84.4 (vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000) 
• [1st] Most Yards Passing, Game – 414 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [1st] Most Games, Four or More Touchdown Passes, Career – 4
• [1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 5 (vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000) 
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games with a Touchdown Pass – 7 (1998-2003)
• [1st] Most Consecutive Passes Without an Interception – 72 (2001)
• [1st] Most Passes Without an Interception, Game – 45 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [2nd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 391 (vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000)
• [2nd] Longest Pass Completion – 77t (to Isaac Bruce, vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000)
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Passes Without an Interception – 63 (1999)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Game – 45 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV) 
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Passing Completions, Game – 27 (vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 3 (at New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2000) 
• [3rd] Most Passing Completions, Game – 26 (vs. Tampa Bay, Jan. 23, 2000) 
• [3rd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 365 (at New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2000, vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [3rd] Most Passes Without an Interception, Game – 33 (vs. Philadelphia, Jan. 27, 2002)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Passing Attempts, Game – 44 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI) 
• [Tied for 3rd] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 66.7 (vs. Philadelphia, Jan. 27, 2002) 
• [Tied for 3rd] Longest Pass Completion – 73t (to Isaac Bruce, vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)

Super Bowl Records

• [1st] Most Passing Attempts, Game – 45 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [1st] Most Pass Completions, Game – 28 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 63.6 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI) 
• [1st] Most Yards Passing, Game – 414 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [1st] Longest Pass Completion – 73t (to Isaac Bruce, vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [1st] Most Passing Touchdowns, Game – 2 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [1st] Most Interceptions, Game – 2 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [1st] Most Passing Attempts Without an Interception, Game – 45 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdowns, Game – 1 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)  
• [Tied for 1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Game – 1 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)  
• [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Game – 44 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [2nd] Most Pass Completions, Game – 24 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [2nd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 365 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [2nd] Longest Pass Completion – 52 (to Marshall Faulk, vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
• [2nd] Most Times Sacked, Game – 3 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Points, Game – 6 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)  
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Passing Touchdowns, Game – 1 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
• [3rd] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 53.3 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV) 
• [3rd] Most Times Sacked, Game – 1 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
 

Cardinals records held by Warner
(Records through the 2009 season, Warner's final season with Arizona)

• [1st] Most 300 Yard Passing Game, Career – 22
• [1st] Most Pass Attempts, Season – 598 (2008)
• [1st] Most Pass Completions, Season – 401 (2008)
• [1st] Most Pass Completions, Game – 40 (at N.Y. Jets, Sept. 28, 2008)
• [1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Season – 30 (2008)
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Season – 67.1 (2008)
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 92.31 (vs. Jacksonville, Sept. 20, 2009)
• [1st] Most Consecutive Pass Completions, Game – 15 (vs. Jacksonville, Sept. 20, 2009)
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games Throwing a Touchdown Pass – 22 (2007-08)
• [1st] Highest Passer Rating, Season – 96.9 (2008)
• [1st] Highest Passer Rating, Game – 158.3 (vs. Miami, Sept. 14, 2008)
• [2nd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 484 (vs. San Francisco, Nov. 25, 2007)
• [2nd] Most Yards Passing, Season – 4,583 (2008)
• [2nd] Highest Completion Percentage, Season – 66.1 (2009)
• [2nd] Highest Passer Rating, Career – 93.2 (2009)  
• [2nd] Highest Passer Rating, Game – 150.0 (at Baltimore, Sept. 23, 2007)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 5 (at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009)
• [3rd] Most Pass Completions, Season – 339 (2009)
• [3rd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 472 (at N.Y. Jets, Sept. 28, 2008)
• [3rd] Most Yards Passing, Season – 3,753 (2009)
• [3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Season – 27 (2007)
• [3rd] Lowest Interception Rate, Season – 2.3 (2008)
• [3rd] Highest Completion Percentage, Season – 64.5 (2005)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Pass Completions, Game – 35 (at Carolina, Oct. 26, 2008; vs. Atlanta, Dec. 23, 2007)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 4 (vs. Seattle, Dec. 28, 2008)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Pass Completions, Game – 13 (at San Francisco, Sept. 7, 2008; vs. Miami, Sept. 14, 2008)

Postseason Records

• [1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 5 (Green Bay, Jan. 10, 2010)
• [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 87.9 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 10, 2010)  
• [1st] Longest Pass Completion – 71t (to Anquan Boldin vs. Atlanta, Jan. 3, 2009)
• [2nd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 379 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 10, 2010)
• [2nd] Most Pass Attempts, Game – 43 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
• [2nd] Most Passes Completed, Game – 31 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
• [2nd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 4 (vs. Philadelphia, Jan. 18, 2009) 
• [2nd] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 75.0 (vs. Philadelphia, Jan. 18, 2009) 
• [2nd] Longest Pass Completion – 64t (to Larry Fitzgerald vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
• [3rd] Most Yards Passing, Game – 377 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
• [3rd] Most Passes Completed, Game – 29 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 10, 2010)
• [3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game – 3 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
• [3rd] Highest Completion Percentage, Game – 72.1 (vs. Pittsburgh, Super Bowl XLIII)
• [3rd] Longest Pass Completion – 62t (to Larry Fitzgerald vs. Philadelphia, Jan. 18, 2009) 

 

League/Team Statistical Titles

NFL Statistical Championships
Passing Titles: 1999, 2001
Passing TD Titles: 1999, 2001

NFC Statistical Championships
Passing Titles: 1999, 2001, 2008
Passing TD Titles: 1999, 2001

Team Statistical Championships
Passing Titles: 1999, 2001, 2005 AZ, 2007 AZ, 2008 AZ, 2009 AZ
    
AZ Arizona Cardinals     All other titles won St. Louis Rams

 

Awards and Honors

• 1999 NFL Most Valuable Player (Philadelphia Maxwell Club, AP, PFW, PFWA, IFA)
• 1999 ESPN’s Pro Football Player of the Year
• 1999 ESPN’s Breakthrough Athlete of the Year
• 1999 Miller Lite NFL Player of the Year
• 1999 NFL Player of the Year (FD, SI, TSN)
• 1999 Quarterback of the Year (IFA, NFL Alumni, NQC)
• 1999 Week 3 NFC Offensive Player of the Week
• 1999 NFC Offensive Player of the Month (September)
• Super Bowl XXXIV MVP
• 2000 Week 5 NFC Offensive Player of the Week
• 2000 NFC Offensive Player of the Month (September)
• 2001 NFL Most Valuable Player (AP)
• 2001 NFL Player of the Year (FD)
• 2001 Week 3 NFC Offensive Player of the Week
• 2001 Week 12 NFC Offensive Player of the Week
• 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

 

Year-By-Year Team Records

Year-by-Year Records
Year	Team	W	L	T	Divison Finish
1998	St. Louis Rams	4	12	0	(5th)
1999	St. Louis Rams	13	3	0	(1st)
2000	St. Louis Rams	10	6	0	(2nd)
2001	St. Louis Rams	14	2	0	(1st)
2002	St. Louis Rams	7	9	0	(2nd)
2003	St. Louis Rams	12	4	0	(1st)
2004	N.Y. Giants	6	10	0	(2nd)
2005	Arizona Cardinals	5	11	0	(3rd)
2006	Arizona Cardinals	5	11	0	(4th)
2007	Arizona Cardinals	8	8	0	(2nd)
2008	Arizona Cardinals	9	7	0	(1st)
2009	Arizona Cardinals	10	6	0	(1st)

Full Name: Kurtis Eugene Warner

Birthdate: June 22, 1971

Birthplace: Burlington, Iowa

High School: Regis (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Pro Career: 12 seasons, 124 games

Uniform Number: 13

Man, I wasn't sure if this moment was ever going to come, in more ways than one. Marshall told me that there would be a moment when it just hits you. All right, now it's getting real. People say Hollywood couldn't have written it any better. After this, they don't have a chance.

Let me begin by saying how honored I am to be joining these six well deserving, character driven men as part of the Class of 2017 and how humbled I feel to be joining this new team made up of men that I've admired and tried to emulate ever since I first picked up a football.

For those who have witnessed my career from the outside, you will undoubtedly use the milestones Super Bowls, MVPs, and of course tonight as the defining moments of my career. But if there’s one thing that this process has revealed, it's that those pinnacle accomplishments on the field were simply byproducts of the moments that would lay the foundation of the man who stands here this evening.

Moments that few have heard about, and even fewer witnessed. Moments that, no matter how insignificant they seemed at the time, would become the backdrop of my story. Moments which would shape my character and set the stage for one unforgettable journey.

Like the moment I visualized this for the first time. The moment that tonight became a possibility. Growing up a huge football fan, my Sundays were spent watching every game I could find on TV. At the culmination of the games, I'd grab my jersey, a term I use lightly because it was really just a T shirt with a number on it. Then I'd head outside to reenact my own version of the games.

My jersey didn't have a nameplate. So, I pulled out the masking tape and created my own. Then I'd write the last name of the man who would be the star of that day's show. Most of the QBs sitting behind me who played in that era donned the back of my jersey at least once.

My front yard played host to Broadway Joe, Bart Starr and Lenny Dawson, Johnny U, Bob Griese and Fran Tarkenton, the Snake, Dan Fouts, and of course Roger the Dodger.

The only name I don't ever recall writing was Bradshaw. You see, I grew up a Cowboys fan. So, no matter how great he was, there was no way I was wearing a jersey with a Steeler QB on the back. Especially that Steeler QB, who broke my heart twice on Super Sunday growing up.

I'm sorry, Terry. You know I love you now.

I spent the greater part of my childhood trying to be these incredible players. I practiced their throwing motions and memorized their movements, thinking that was how I would get here. Then one afternoon that all changed.

This particular Sunday played out like all the others, until it came time to write a name on the back of my jersey. I went through all the usual suspects until finally settling on one I was sure had never made the cut before. It would be the first time that I wore a jersey with his name on it, and it would be the last name I ever wore on the back of my jersey: W A R N E R.

(Cheers and applause.)

I'll never forget writing it the first time and realizing a few little letters could change everything. It was the day that I added "a u t o" to the biography I was writing.

There were the moments when football changed from a pastime to a passion, like when my two brothers and I would head outside on Saturday morning. I have this image of us walking down the street in slow motion, like the Wolf Pack in The Hangover, carrying a boom box blasting "Eye of the Tiger," and me wearing my lucky green jeans with my beat-up duke under my arm.

We would solicit all challengers to the gridiron, a gridiron which varied from snow filled front yards, to the inclined street in front of our house, where we dodged parked cars on the way to the end zone, to our neighbors' field, where their mowed lines made us feel like we were playing in the Super Bowl. We'd play until it got so dark we couldn't see the football or until we couldn't feel our fingers or toes, only to return refreshed the following week.

Now, I already apologized to one Hall of Famer. Now I'm going to do it to three more. Troy, Emmitt, Michael, I'm sorry to break it to you here, but we were the original triplets. Where you at, Michael? Relax. Relax. We agreed to let you retain the title, all right?

So to my brother Matt and my other brother Matt I know. Don't ask. We're from Iowa. We like to keep things simple thanks for being the Emmitt and Michael to my Troy, for building my confidence all those years by letting me beat up on you, and for always being my biggest fans.

As a father of seven, I've come to understand the selflessness and patience it takes to parent a child who is always asking for something. This made me respect my dad more, because I was one of those children. I rarely asked for the newest toys or the latest video games or the coolest shoes. My greatest ask was always for my dad’s time: Dad, will you play catch with me in the backyard? Dad, can you take us to the park so we can play one on one on one? Dad, will you drive me to the gym and spend your whole afternoon rebounding for me?

I've come to appreciate that the greatest gift any parent can give their child is saying yes to spending time with them. Dad, I know there were plenty of times you would have chosen to do something different, something you enjoyed more, but thank you for all the times you said yes. Because your yeses fanned my spark into a flame, and your yeses kept me going when everyone else was saying no. I love you.

(Cheers and applause.)

When I was a teenager, there were those moments of enlightenment now, listen closely kids, especially you, Elijah  the moments when this know it all kid was shown that he didn't have all the answers and I didn't always know what was best for me.

You see, my dream to play in the NFL didn't start with the QB position. It began wanting to be the next great wide receiver, the next Steve Largent or Charlie Joiner or Lynn Swann. Yes, I know how outrageous that sounds now, especially as often as my boys remind me about my Madden speed rating.

(Laughter.)

But that all changed when I showed up at high school. At my first practice, our coach was separating us by position when he realized no one was trying out for quarterback. So, he lined us up and asked us all to throw it as far as we could. It was the one competition in my entire life I didn't want to win. But as fate would have it, I did, and I was promptly switched to QB.

Now, I cannot confirm nor deny if tears were shed that day, but unquestionably my dream to play in the NFL had been crushed. My biggest hurdle: The willingness to stand in the pocket and get hit. I'd spent my whole life avoiding hits, scoring touchdowns. So being told to stand in the pocket, get hit, and let everyone else score, that went against my better judgment.

Every time I would drop back, my eyes would go directly to the rush, looking for a route of escape. After weeks of frustration, my coach came up with a special drill just for me. He called it the "Kill Kurt Drill." Surprise, it was my friends' favorite drill.

It was made up of just the O line and the D line. I would get the snap, drop back and then have to move between the tackles, avoiding the rush until Coach blew his whistle. Then, if I hadn't been flattened by one of my buddies, I'd have to throw it as quickly as I could. Then we lined up, or got up, and did it again. Somebody would so be getting fired if they ran that drill today. But he forced me I mean it forced me to stand up and face my fear head on.

That year I learned to welcome the challenges of life, because it's where our best is often revealed. It taught me that through discipline and dedication, and the Kill Kurt Drill, your greatest weaknesses can become your greatest strengths.

Coach Padlock, thanks for patiently opening my eyes to what I couldn't see, even if they were plastered shut because of all the hits you let me take.

That moment freshman year influenced the direction of my life as much as any. The person who influenced my most in high school was my basketball coach, Coach Breitbach. His impact had little to do with the finer points of being a QB, but had everything to do with the competitor I would become on the field.

It was during summer basketball camp. And not to brag, but I was without a doubt the best player on the court. It's my story; I got the mic. We were scrimmaging, I was dominating, and then came Coach B's whistle. I remember thinking: He's going to let these guys have it.

Then, before I knew it, he was looking right at me, his face as red as his Regis High School T shirt, and he was spitting and screaming and screaming and spitting. All I remember were the words: Kurt, what do you think you're doing? I wanted to respond, "I think I'm killing these jokers," but I knew it best not to respond to one of Coach B's rhetorical questions.

He pulled me aside and told me that he wasn't interested in the score on the scoreboard or if I was the best player on the court. He wanted to know if I was competing at my highest possible level. He shared the potential he saw in me and told me to never let the actions of others, the talent of my competition, or the circumstances I find myself in hinder my pursuit of excellence. His message: Excellence is a mindset to be practiced every minute of every day in everything I did.

Coach B, thanks for caring about me so much that you wouldn't let me settle for anything but my best.

(Cheers and applause.)

Every great narrative has a plot twist, that 180 degrees turn that you never see coming. As you may have noticed, mine had a few. The most difficult came in college when I found myself sitting on the bench for four long years. You heard me. Four consecutive years on the bench. All right, humor me guys. Show of hands from everybody onstage that spent four years on the bench your entire lives.

Exactly.

So you can imagine the frustration, contemplating my future and my big dreams, when I couldn't even get on the field at a smaller college. Shoutout to the UNI Panthers!

(Cheers and applause.)

And I remember calling home and telling my mom I was considering transferring or just quitting altogether. The words on the other end of the line that night, coming from the person I admired most, would forever alter my perspective.

She told me to be grateful for my opportunity, even if it didn't look like I wanted it to look; to never stop working or preparing, because God had a plan and I needed to be ready when He showed it to me; and, lastly, that I wasn't a quitter, and we would get through this together.

I was reminded of watching my mom do those exact things. She gratefully worked three jobs, sacrificing so my brother and I could have more, all while enduring things no person signs up for. She consistently demonstrated hard work, commitment to your responsibilities, and how even when life doesn't give you what you want, you never stop believing.

Mom, so much of who you see today was formed from what I saw in you. The spirit of perseverance that runs through my veins and which has defined my career were without question passed down by you. Thank you for never quitting on your greatest passion, your boys, and for not allowing me to quit on mine. I love you, Mom.

(Cheers and applause.)

Reeling a bit from the unforeseen blow to my pride, life began to spiral downward. But then it happened. In the midst of my greatest struggle, God delivered my greatest blessing. Four years on the bench would be enough to drive any man to drink. Now, rest assured, I never went down that path, but it did drive me to some drinking establishments. One in particular, a country bar named Wild E. Coyote's, is  

(Cheers.)

Oh, yeah? Okay. It's where I would spot the greatest obsession of my life: A young gal in red cowboy boots and a miniskirt with unforgettable hair. Come on, you knew the story had to have a gorgeous girl, right? Unfortunately, she's graduated from the boots and miniskirt, but, hey, she's still got the coolest hair ever.

Just like Wile E. Coyote in the old cartoons, I would commit the rest of my life to pursuing the most amazing creature I'd ever met. It would lead to the love of my life and teach me lessons I only thought I knew: The definition of courage, and it wasn't mastering the Kill Kurt Drill; how to overcome the greatest of odds you think I've been through stuff?  the depth of the saying semper fi, or always faithful; and what it looks like to walk by faith.

Together, we've ridden this amazing ride. So, when asked who I wanted to present me tonight, the answer was simple. Many have shared in the victories, the great accomplishments, and the breakthroughs, but there's only one who has logged as many miles and made as many sacrifices.

There's only one who was wounded by every criticism, felt every hit, suffered with every interception and comforted me in every setback. Only one that's dealt with all the good, the bad, and the unpredictable this adventure had to offer.

Brenda, I chose you because of all the people that have loved and supported me over the years and there have been many  you, above all others, deserve to share this stage with me. Greatest joy in my life has been having you by my side, and if I had to do it all over again, I'd still choose you. Love you, mama.

(Cheers and applause.)

The road to our dreams often has detours. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do while you're waiting to do what you were born to do. Thus, my infamous stint in the grocery store.

Working nights stocking shelves, taking care of our kids during the day, working out in the afternoons to stay ready, sleeping when I could, and waking up and doing it all over again.

But just as I knew it was something I had to do, I also realized there's a point of no return, and I was backing myself into that corner. If I wanted different results, I needed to change my course. Because, trust me, no NFL scout comes running into Aisle 7 at 3 a.m. looking for their next QB.

But I was crippled by the fear of the unknown. I needed a little nudge to take that first step. My nudge would come in two separate incidents within just days of each other. The first actually did happen in Aisle 7 at 3 a.m., just not in the form of an NFL scout, but, more aptly, that of a cereal box.

I was stocking the cereal aisle. Opened up a case of Wheaties, and on the box was one of the men with a seat behind me: Dan Marino.

(Cheers and applause.)

Yeah. Once on the shelves, it seemed that Dan the Man's eyes followed me like one of those creepy paintings in a horror movie as I walked back and forth throughout the night. Every time I looked at the box, Dan seemed to be asking: Are you going to spend your life stocking someone else's cereal boxes, or are you going to step out and make sure someone else is stocking yours?

That crazy conversation between me and a cereal box would set the wheels of change in motion and would lead to a pretty good laugh when, less than five years later, I would join Dan Marino as the only two players in the 40-touchdown club.

Dan, I know you had no idea the role that you played, but thanks for the motivation.

(Applause.)

Coincidentally, if you believe in that sort of thing, the second incident would come just days later. Driving Brenda and our two kids home on a cold winter night, when I eased onto the highway, my truck ran out of gas. It was the same truck I had purchased with my signing bonus from the Green Bay Packers, because there was no doubt my NFL future was bright. Right, Mooch? Just to set the record straight: Yes, you were the one that cut me.

There I sat on the side of the road with my family freezing and no money to my name. The four of us began rummaging through the seats, hoping to scrape up enough change to get home. We didn't find many coins, and as I jogged back to the gas station, I kept thinking: My kids deserve so much better than this.

I convinced the attendant to give me some gas, while at the same time convincing myself this would never happen again. I vowed to make a change. And for the first time it wasn't based on me or chasing my dream, but on giving my kids what they deserved.

We've since added five more children. If you guys would stand up. Z.T., Jesse, Kade, Jada, E.J., Sienna, and Sierra. Undeniably, you are my greatest motivators. My commitment on that jog some 22 years ago was that no matter where life would take us, I would never stop trying to be better for you.

Forget about being a better football player. You drove me to be a better man, to be a better father, to have a better marriage, to love your mama better, to be a better example, and to make life better for you and as many people as I possibly could.

You inspired this. Tonight, I hope this inspires you to believe you can be anything you set out to be, regardless of what others think or what your circumstances say or even what's your speed rating in Madden.

Your future? That's up to you. Most get here striving every day to be better between the lines. For me, it was a result of striving every day to be better for you. You motivated me to embrace every moment, regardless of the task, as an opportunity to be better. And when I missed the mark, which you often witnessed, to have the courage to change so I wouldn't miss it again.

Now it's your turn, and I can't wait to sit in the stands and cheer you on. I love you guys.

(Cheers and applause.)

Well, needless to say, I made a change, taking a step closer to my dream, and hopefully that cereal box, by choosing to play Arena football. Now, like most people, I wondered if this league could do anything for my ultimate goal of playing in the NFL. I stand here tonight knowing, without a doubt, it honed my skills for the next level. But its greatest contribution? Reigniting my passion for the game.

Playing with a bunch of guys that didn't make much money, didn't have the greatest accommodations, and didn't necessarily have long term futures playing the game, but simply wanted to do what they loved for as long as they could. They made me fall in love with the sport all over again.

So to Jim Foster, thank you for doodling on that manila envelope; to John Gregory, the Iowa Barnstormers, and my teammates for showing me why I started playing in the first place.

I, possibly more than anyone else up here, embrace that I am being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not just the NFL Hall of Fame. And I wear that as a badge of honor, because without pro football, in all its forms and fashions, I'm not here tonight.

For a long time, I convinced myself that I could will my way to my dream. As long as I wanted it bad enough, I could make it happen. But if there's one great truth that I learned from this great game, it's that no great accomplishment is ever achieved by yourself. To be successful is contingent on others, and it always starts with someone taking a chance on you.

For years, I wondered if my someone was out there. My answer came in 1996. Out of the blue, I received a call from Al Luginbill, head coach of the Amsterdam Admirals, asking me to play in NFL Europe. Now, knowing a second chance in the NFL would most likely include a trip across the pond, I told him if he could get an NFL team to sign me, promising me that one last invite to training camp, I'd go.

Al called numerous different teams. None were interested. When he informed me, I told him: Thanks, but no thanks.

Now, I assumed that this would be the last time I ever talked to Al. But then out of the blue, almost exactly one year later, my phone rang again. And it was Al, extending his same offer, to which I responded with the same conditions: Get an NFL team to sign me, I'm in.

 I was told this time Al called 12 different teams. Once again, no interest. But the 13th team, the St. Louis Rams 

(Cheers and applause.)

they agreed to give me a tryout. And it was the chance I had been waiting for. I showed up at Rams Park early with bells on. Then I proceeded to have the worst workout of my life. I called Brenda from the hallway of the facility and told her I blew it, I blew my last chance at the NFL.

But a few days later I'd get a call from the Rams offering me a contract. Now, to this day, I believe the signing must have been just as a favor to Al, but all the same to me. One man's junk, another man's treasure.

Al, thanks for calling back, for dusting me off, and for uncovering my value. Thanks for being my someone.

But due to my long and winding path to realize my ultimate dream, I would need another someone. 1998, the night before final cuts, and one of the biggest questions was who would be the Rams' third string quarterback. So, Dick Vermeil polled his entire staff on which of us to keep. The votes were split down the middle. So the decision would be left to the instincts of the head man.

I'll never forget the moment I found out I made the team. I was wandering the halls of Rams Park, the same halls from which I'd called Brenda, informing her I blew my tryout, when who do I run into? Coach Vermeil. Not very often do you find out your football future in the hallway of the facility. But after everything else I'd been through, why should this surprise me.

It was there I found out the first step of my dream had been realized. But "You made the team" was not the statement that would leave the greatest impression. It would be the one that followed. Coach V looked me in the eye and said: The reason you made this team is because I feel there's something special about you. Something different. And I couldn't let you go without seeing if it was true.

Coach, you know I love you, and I'm indebted to you for giving me that chance.

(Cheers and applause.)

I spent my entire career trying to prove you right. In a business dominated by head decisions, thanks for following your heart.

(Applause.)

You know, the spotlight in every blockbuster production always focuses on the main character, or the QB in this case, bringing with it an unfair amount of credit. But oftentimes it's the supporting cast that makes it the greatest show. At least that's been my experience.

So to the family and friends that have supported me over the years, but didn't get mentioned specifically tonight, your encouragement was essential to keeping my dream alive. To the fans that packed the stands to watch me play 

(Cheers and applause.)

I hope at least once I gave you my money's worth.

To Mark Bartelstein and the Priority Sports team, I hope I represented you half as well as you represented me.

To the Packers, Barnstormers, Admirals, Rams, Giants, and Cardinals organizations and ownership, thanks for opening your stage to me.

And to the coaches I had the honor of playing for specifically Coach Vermeil, who I just mentioned; Mike Martz, your football brilliance brought out the best in me; John Ramsdell; Tom Coughlin; the late Denny Green; Ken Whisenhunt; Todd Haley  thanks to all of you for giving me an opportunity that I'm not sure any other coach would have.

And then, of course, to every teammate I had the pleasure of performing with, if you guys could all stand.

(Applause.)

To those that share the stage with me tonight, I'm ecstatic to be on your team again. To those that will one day join us up here, I look forward to those reunions. And to all of you that will never be fitted for a gold jacket, tonight I share this honor with you.

In the ultimate team game, I'm not much for singling guys out, because all of you played a special role in my being here, but I would like to recognize one teammate who had a more profound impact on me than any other, Trent Green.

(Cheers and applause.)

You know, our paths crossed in the most incredible of ways, and I acknowledge you could easily be the one standing up here tonight. But the class that you showed while dealing with the toughest of situations is etched in my mind. Your willingness to share your football secrets so I could succeed was incredibly valuable, but the character you displayed and the way you modeled the definition of teammate was priceless. Those lessons followed me the rest of my career. Thanks for sharpening my character with your own.

(Cheers and applause.)

And all of you, all of you, were the best part of my career, the part I miss more than any other. It was a privilege being your QB.

Moments matter. They leave their impression upon us, they shape how we live our lives, and they impact who we become. They also offer us something possibly more value, the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the world around us.

I came here tonight to say thank you to all of those who crossed my path and didn't miss their moment to mark on me. It made all the difference.

To those listening tonight, don't miss your moments, both the moments to be impacted and the moments to impact. If you would have asked me 30 years ago which moments would best define me, I would have said, like most of you, the accomplishments: Super Bowls, MVPs, Hall of Fames.

But I now know that not to be true. As you've heard, we have no idea today which moments will leave the most indelible impression tomorrow. It isn't something we can plan for or see ahead of time, so we must take advantage of every single one.

(Applause.)

We tell our kids all the time: We aren't all promised the same things in life. Life's not fair.

We don't all get to choose the number of moments we get. I would have loved to start my first NFL game before the age of 28. We don't all get to choose the nature of our moments. I wanted to play more in college, I wanted to hear my name on draft day, and I had no plans of working in a grocery store.

And we don't all get to choose the substance of our moments. I never set out to hold the record for throwing the longest interception returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history.

But what we all do get to choose is what we do with those moments. I stand here tonight not because I accomplished as much or played as long as most of the players on this stage; I believe I stand here tonight because of what I did with the moments I was given.

My enshrinement makes the statement that although impact is measured over a career, it is established in the moments, regardless of how many, or how few, you're blessed with.

(Cheers and applause.)

So, when you leave here tonight, seize your moments, that moment with your kids, your spouse, your siblings, with your friends, your teammates, your players. Because that moment may just be the one that leads to you becoming or inspiring the next L.T., T.D., Jason Taylor, Morten Andersen, Kenny Easley, Jerry Jones, or Kurt Warner.

(Cheers and applause.)

I'm going to conclude with one last moment and one last thank you to the one whom, without a doubt, has left the deepest mark and has become the cornerstone of my life. In the early stage of my career, I had a chance to stand at a podium, similar to this, in front of millions of people after Super Bowl XXXIV. In that moment, I made sure the first thing I did was say thank you to this person for what they had done for me.

Now, many felt I was thanking him for orchestrating a Super Bowl win or making my passes fly straighter or causing my opponents to make more mistakes. But those people had it all wrong. The gesture was my way of acknowledging how fortunate I considered myself for the moments he had given me. Thanking him for the trials which prepared me for this platform, for showing me that with him the impossible becomes possible, and for choosing me for the lead in this once in a lifetime role.

Now, love it or hate it, that opening scene captured the imagination of the sports world, and the words became the heart of my story. The rest, as they say, is history. Bringing us to this, the famous last words and the only place this extraordinary journey can end.

His final moment was for me. Mine is for Him. Thank you, Jesus!

(Cheers and applause.)