CARD: Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl Insert HACK
ACQUIRED: 2023, Consignment
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
- Kurt Warner is the true rags to riches story of football history.
- Played college ball at tiny University of Northern Iowa.
- Didn’t see any significant playing time until senior season in ’93, posting for 2,982 yards and 17 TDs.
- Undrafted in ’94, was a camp arm for the Green Bay Packers.
- Out of football as a grocery stocker, decided to join the Arena Football League, playing for the Iowa Barnstormers in ’95.
- After setting numerous records for the Barnstormers, signed with the St. Louis Rams in 1997 and allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFLE for play in ’98.
- After leading the NFLE in passing, Warner returned stateside and spent the NFL season riding the bench.
- It’d be in ’99 that fate happened Kurt’s way.
- With backup QB Steve Bono departing in free agency and starting QB Trent Green injured, Kurt Warner found himself atop the team depth chart.
- He’d finish 325 of 499 for 4353 yards and 41 TDs leading the Rams to a Super Bowl win against the Tennesee Titans.
- In 2000, Warner led the Rams back to the playoffs, but the Greatest Show on Turf lost to the Saints.
- 2001 saw Warner lead the NFL in multiple passing categories and the Rams to a 14-2 record, but the team lost the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots.
- Warner went into a slump in 2002, that continued into 2003.
- In 2004, Kurt was cut by the Rams and then joined the New York Giants.
- It was a tough year for Warner, as lingering issues and injuries, taking their toll, along with numerous sacks.
- He then packed his bags to play for the Arizona Cardinals for the 2006 season.
- By this time fans thought of Warner as being washed up, but he saved the best for last.
- The age was showing on Warner, and he’d have to constantly look over his shoulder as first round pick Matt Leinart was expected to pick up the reins soon.
- After a great start, Leinart replaced Warner at QB in week 4 for most of the remainder of the ’06 season.
- With Leinart the starter, Warner replaced him off the bench in week 4 after an injury ended Matt’s season.
- Warner threw for a career high 484 yards in a loss to the ‘9ers that year.
- This culminated in him again winning the starting QB job for the Cardinals in ’08.
- Kurt would lead the Cardinals to an improbable Super Bowl appearance- their first in the modern Super Bowl era.
- Finished the season with 4,583 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and completed 67.1% of his passes.
- Lost Super Bowl XLIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers last minute heroics 27-23.
- Threw for 377 yards in the loss, and compiled a 112.3 QB rating in the game.
- In 2009 became the first QB to throw for 14,000+ yards for two separate teams, and the second to throw 100+ TDs for two different teams.
- Cardinals lost in the divisional round to the New Orleans Saints that year, as Warner sustained an injury.
- He’d retire after the post season concluded.
- Kurt has spent a lot of time catching up with his kids since retirement while going into coaching.
- He’s also been a commentator for Spring Leagues, notably the Arena Football League and the AAF.
ACCOLADES:
- NFL MVP 1999, 2001
- Super Bowl XXXIX MVP
- All-Arena 1996-97
- Iowa Barnstomers Hall of Fame
- Iowa Barnstormers #13 retired
- Bert Bell Award 1999
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- Walter Payton Man of the Year 2008
- Bart Starr Award 2010
NOTES:
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d secure Kurt Warner at such a friendly price point, but after biting my nails, the consignment came through- and it looks glorious. While Kurt does sign through the mail, he only signs a testament card- which is nice, but leaves collectors in the dust on their own set needs.
I was eager to get him, not only on this beautiful card I created of him, but also because he’s the greatest testament to what Spring Football such as the Arena League and the NFLE can do for a player. In Kurt’s case, he needed to get more experience, confidence, and faith to face what he’d encounter in the NFL. Eventually it ‘all slowed down for him’ and he surpassed all expectations, making 3 Super Bowl appearances.
A devout Christian, some pundits slammed him for thanking Jesus Christ for helping him win his Super Bowl MVP, but myself, personally I found it refreshing that he’d do such a thing. Now it seems commonplace for players to wear their faith on their shoulder after winning a big game.
On occasion when I was attending AAF contests of the Commanders, Kurt gave commentary from a mobile studio on the sidelines very close by. I didn’t have anything then but it was still nice to see him show his skills and support Spring Football as well.
| ATT | CPD | YDS | PCT | TD | INT | RAT | LG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1320 | 818 | 10465 | 62.0 | 183 | 43 | N/a | 46 |
| ATT | CPD | YDS | PCT | TD | INT | RAT | LG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 326 | 165 | 2101 | 50.6 | 15 | 6 | 78.8 | 47t |
| ATT | CPD | YDS | PCT | TD | INT | RAT | LG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4070 | 2666 | 32344 | 65.5 | 208 | 128 | 93.7 | 85t |
