Kurt Warner retired after spending 12 years in NFL

As many guessed before Friday’s news conference, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback, well now we should say former Cardinals quarterback, Kurt Warner announced on the news conference that he decided to retire, ending a 12-year NFL career.

“It’s been an amazing ride,” Warner said Friday. “I don’t think I could have dreamt it would have played out like it has, but I’ve been humbled every day that I woke up the last 12 years and amazed that God would choose to use me to do what he’s given me the opportunity to do.”

Putting on NFL jersey as a backup quarterback for the St. Louis Rams in 1998, Warner took starting job the next year a replacement to injured Trent Green and brought the Rams a masterful and wholly unexpected season, by leading the team to a 13-3 regular-season record and a Super Bowl triumph over the Tennessee Titans. Such achievement earned him the league and Super Bowl MVP. He had the Rams back in the Super Bowl game again in 2001 and lost the game to the New England Patriots. Following an injury-plagued 2002 season, he lost starting job in Rams and signed a free agent contract with the Giants for 2004. Being replaced by rookie Eli Manning nine games later, he chose to sign with the Cardinals in 2005 when there was no other team willing to give him starting job.

It was after Matt Leinart went down with an injury in 2007-08 season when Warner had his chance. From then on, he started 48 of the remaining 49 games of his career, leading the Cardinals to the NFC West crown and three playoff victories before the narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in last year’s Super Bowl.

He is a man of deep faith and carried a Bible to each post-game news conference. He and his wife operate the First Things First Christian charitable foundation. After retirement, Warner plans to spend more time with family while doing some preaching. He may also get into football broadcasting. Wish him a better life!