Thanks to Wayne, at Wayne's Window to the World, for sponsoring all of this.
The year was 2000. It was about this time and the St. Louis Rams were about to take on the Tennessee Titans for Super Bowl XXXIV in the Super Dome. The Titans were a Cinderella Team. They had just gotten by Buffalo in a Wild Card game with the "Music City Miracle" (Check YOUTUBE for that one) and had gone on the road to defeat Indianapolis and Jacksonville to meet the powerhouse Rams.
It was a story that has played out time and time again on countless arenas, fields, pitches (For you Wayne), and courts. David vs Goliath...the great vs the up and coming....For those that remember that game, it was a classic. The Rams got up 16-0. The Titans came back and tied the game. Then the Rams hit a bomb to go up by seven...on the next Titans drive...time ran out as the Titans receiver reached for the goal line...but fell a yard short.
But, there was another underdog story that was truly Cinderella-like.
Kurt Warner.
As a Cowboys fan, I paid little attention to the Warner story. But, I was aware of it. He came out of training camp the starter, simply because the guy in front of him was injured. His backstory was he was cut by the Packers...got a job bagging groceries for just above minimum wage...and then made the circuit in the AFL and NFL Europe. When Trent Green...the unquestioned starter went down...the Rams were forced to try this rather green (forgive the pun) 29 year old 'rookie'. The Rams won the Super Bowl and then went to the next one where another story was taking place in New England named Tom Brady and the Rams fell.
Then dream turned for Kurt.
For the next several years he dealt with failure..finally getting cut by the Rams. He then was picked up by the Giants where he couldn't win the starting job. Talk of his age began to make the circles. People thought he was afraid to take a hit. Soon he hit what was known as the 'Dregs of the NFL' south of Detroit that is. Arizona took him as a backup.
That's when you know that your career is probably in the rearview mirror. When you can't make the starting line up in an awful organization. As you know now, he made history. He became the ONLY man to take the Cardinals to a Super Bowl.
For that fact alone he should be in the Hall of Fame.
8 comments:
What a cool tribute! Really really Cool! If you did not know...I have never ever heard that story before!
~Elyse~
PS-I am a morning person, so I don't mind my morning classes, it's the 9pm meetings that kill me!
What an awesome tribute.
we're rooting for him in WI.
What a awsome tribute to a great player Kurt warner was alwasy a great player I think and I think that he would love this tribute, I remember that super bowl with the titans I was on the edge of my seat. Thankyou so much for taking part in this weeks tribute tuesday
I finally managed to put my football hat on and read your post! I love the stories of athletes who overcome challenges to succeed. Warner has had so many challenges to even get to the NFL. It just goes to show you that if you want something bad enough and are willing to put in the work necessary you you can make your dreams a reality. Thanks for sharing his story. I had heard it before but had missed a few details. :)
I loved your tribute! I've never heard this story before, so I learned something new, too!! Thanks for sharing.
Ive been following his story recently, hes a awesome guy! GO KURT! Super Bowl is in our backyard so the local media makes you learn about all kinds of useless junk. His story is actually something worth reading about. The invasion has already begun :-)
BOO STEELERS!
Great spin on this story. As a fellow Iowan, i will be cheering Kurt on.
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