Tag Archives: St. Louis Rams

Arena, NFL, NFLE, Super Bowl MVP

Warner, Kurt

Proset 1990 Super Bowl MVP HACK, #34

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.

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
13208181046562.018343N/a46
ARENA
ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
326165210150.615678.847t
NFLE
ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
407026663234465.520812893.785t
NFL
NFL, WLAF

Valerio, Joe (2)

Pro Set 1991, WL Helmet Collectible 2
Pro Set 1991, #779

CARDS: Pro Set 1991, Pro Set 1991 WL Helmet Collectible
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I had to loop back to Joe since I had this nice Pro Set 91 card, but also because he was one of the more successful members of the Birmingham Fire (post World League). He wrote me a nice note, thanked me for being a fan all these years, and that those were indeed good times.

AAF, Arena, NFL, XFL

Folkerts, Brian

Topps XFL 2020, #41

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas V Arlington Renegades

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Brian Folkerts played college ball for tiny Washburn University from 2008-11.
  • During that time for the Ichabods, Folkerts played both RT and LT for the school.
  • Although possessing the ideal size (6’4″, 306), he’d go unselected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • After being cut by the Saints in 2012, Folkerts joined the Arena Football League, playing FB for the San Jose Sabrecats in 2013.
  • He followed that up with a stint playing for the Carolina Panthers from 2013-15.
  • After a short stint with both the ‘9ers and Rams in 2015, Brian rejoined the Panthers briefly again in 2017.
  • Sprained his ankle in the preseason and was cut.
  • In 2019, signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football.
  • Played C and blocked up front for one of the league’s better ground games.
  • After the AAF folded, Brian was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020.
  • With COVID scrambling the XFL before the season concluded, Brian stayed in playing shape.
  • In 2023, was selected by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL 3.0.
  • Has been dabbling in coaching since COVID and in the XFL offseason works as an OL coach for Wingate University in North Carolina.

NOTES:

I was partially miffed and shocked at how many Commanders and former AAFers ended up with the Renegades in 2023. I packed a bunch of Renegade players cards along with my Kenneth Farrow’s, and while Kenneth was signing, both Brian and De’Vante Bausby came over to pay high respects to my Farrow Commanders jersey. I was extremely flattered.

Later my neighbors with me at the game, got field passes for after the game to wander around. They had enough for 5, and invited me, so I said, “Why not?” I rushed the field for a few autographs, and saw Brian standing there with his family taking photos. He was gracious enough to sign his card, take a photo with me, and talk about the Alliance and the Commanders with me. (He also agreed that the league was second to none as far as entertainment was concerned.)

After the game I posted this photo up on Twitter. (I didn’t realize how nice the Renegades icy whites look up close.) He also retweeted it and again had nothing to say but high praises of the Commanders faithful.

With the Commanders gone and the Brahmas reeling, the Renegade players were doing their hardest sell to adopt me.