![]() It’s hard to understand how it took the league so long to recognize Warner’s robust skill set: He had a devastatingly quick release, was a natural leader and proved to be a deftly accurate passer. That year, Warner won the league’s prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his charitable work off the field. In 2008, he earned a Pro Bowl selection while navigating Arizona to its first and only Super Bowl appearance, a 27-23 loss to the Steelers. After some injury-filled seasons with the Rams and a forgettable year with the New York Giants, he had a rebirth with the Arizona Cardinals. He led the Rams to an NFL record three straight 500-point seasons. ![]() There was more to come in Warner’s Hall-of-Fame career. You watch all the great ones, you remember the great ones that did it on the biggest stage, and you say, ‘I hope one day I can have the opportunity to play in the biggest game, have the ball in my hands and have a chance to lead my team to a touchdown to win the Super Bowl.’ “That’s what every kid, especially every kid that wants to be a quarterback, dreams about their entire life growing up. ![]() “To be able to step on the football field as I had dreamed about in my front yard a million times, and throw a touchdown pass as time is running down with two minutes to go in the Super Bowl to kind of seal the victory, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Warner said. Warner was one of those kids who dreamed about that moment growing up. Bruce made the catch and then made a great run to get to the end zone. With pressure starting to come from his right side, Warner threw deep to Bruce. It was a vintage play from the offense that will always be remembered as “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Warner took a deep drop, with no extra protection as all of St. Bruce’s touchdown ultimately proved to be the game-winner. After Tennessee rallied to tie the game with 2:12 left, Warner threw a 73-yard yard touchdown to Isaac Bruce with 1:54 remaining. His entire season was a fantasy, and he finished it with the type of play kids dream about in the backyard. Warner, who was a virtual unknown five months before that Super Bowl, threw for 414 yards, setting a Super Bowl record that stood until Tom Brady eclipsed it last season. Then Warner provided the signature moment of his brilliant career in Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans. Louis surprised everyone by going 13-3 and winning the NFC title. He had 18 touchdowns and three interceptions during the Rams’ 6-0 start. Nobody expected the miracle that followed.ĭespite accumulating just 16 NFL snaps before the 1999 season began, Warner was remarkable from Week 1 on. When starting quarterback Trent Green suffered a season-ending knee injury during the 1999 preseason, Warner got the nod to replace him. Warner earned the backup job with the Rams, though he barely played that 1998 season. In 1998, after stints playing in the Arena Football League and with NFL Europe, Warner finally got his chance when the Rams came calling. If an opportunity came calling, he was going to be ready. ![]() When Warner was still hoping to make the NFL he still kept a strenuous workout schedule and made sure his body and arm stayed fresh. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl championship, anything seems possible. Yet, he had a season that gives every sports underdog hope. His NFL dream was miles away when he was famously stocking shelves at a grocery store and working as an assistant for his alma mater, Northern Iowa. He wasn’t a top draft choice, he didn’t go to a marquee school and did he have the blue-chip pedigree of his peers. Warner, in this respect, embodies the American dream. That’s what the scouts said about the Burlington, Iowa native when he went undrafted in 1994. He didn’t have the athleticism, arm strength or the physical fortitude. Kurt Warner wasn’t supposed to be in the NFL. This week, Shutdown Corner is highlighting the greatest moment for each member of the seven-man class, leading up to Saturday’s induction ceremony. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome its Class of 2017 on Aug. ![]()
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