A toast to you, Kurt

It is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of Kurtis Eugene Warner as an NFL player.

From very humble beginnings to a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback, Kurt showed throughout his career the hard work, determination, and most of all the patience to overcome all the obstacles that would keep him from reaching the pinnacle of the NFL.

With stops at northern Iowa, Hy-Vee supermarket (as a stock boy while also working as a graduate assistant), Iowa Barnstormers, NFL Europe, and, finally, the NFL. As if created by PT Barnum himself, Kurt helped create the "greatest show on turf." Kurt became a two-time NFL MVP (1999 & 2001), and in 1999 became MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV. He was a three-time Super Bowl participant -- with the Rams in 1999 & 2001, and then with the Cardinals in 2008.

Kurt, I don't know if you had enough QB starts or had the stats for induction into the Hall, but I think to you it does not matter. With your strong values, commitment to family, your faith and your charity work, you will achieve far greater rewards.

So here's a toast to you, Kurt Warner, a guy who took two of the worst franchises in the NFL (with roots in the same city) to the Super Bowl. If the NFL were like the MLB and you had to pick a hat for the Hall of Fame, I would not suggest a Ram or a Cardinal, but a Saint (and not Norlans).

Rest in Peace (in retirement), Kurt