TEMPE, Ariz. — Kurt Warner thanked God, hugged his children and wife and said goodbye to an NFL career that seems the stuff of sports fiction.
The 38-year-old quarterback announced his retirement Friday after a dozen years in a league that at first rejected him, then revered him as he came from nowhere to lead the lowly Rams to two Super Bowls.
Then, as if going from stocking groceries to winning NFL MVP awards wasn’t improbable enough, Warner was written off as a has-been and rose again to lead the long-suffering Cardinals to the Super Bowl.
A man of deep faith who carried a Bible to each postgame news conference, Warner walked away with a year left on a two-year, $23 million contract.
“It’s been an amazing ride,” Warner said. “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.”
Blessed with an uncanny throwing accuracy and a knack for reading defenses, Warner leaves the game with a legacy that could land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame even though he didn’t get his first start until he was 28.
In 124 regular-season games, Warner completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns. He and Fran Tarkenton are the only NFL QBs to throw for at least 100 touchdowns and 14,000 yards for two teams.
Warner’s departure leaves Matt Leinart the presumed replacement.
Warner said he plans to spend time watching his children grow up, do some preaching and perhaps get into football broadcasting.
Footnotes.
NFL active sacks leader Jason Taylor said he wants to play in 2010 and hopes to remain with the Dolphins, but concedes he might not be wanted back.
• The Eagles promoted Howie Roseman to general manager, although coach Andy Reid still has final say on personnel decisions as the team’s president of football operations.
• Giants quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer retired after 20 seasons in the NFL.
• Former Steelers linebacker Jerry Olsavsky rejoined the team as a defensive quality control coach.
• The Patriots hired former Notre Dame assistant Corwin Brown as a defensive coach.
The Associated Press
