For those of us who love football, today is the day of days, Super Bowl Sunday, and although my team ended it’s run in the Divisional Playoffs, this afternoon you will find me in front of the TV pulling for the Arizona Cardinals (I can’t believe I just wrote that) and in particular, Kurt Warner.
This Super Bowl, like those that have come before, is full of great story lines, but to me none is as compelling as the story of the Arizona quarterback. You may be familiar with the story of how he met his wife, his Arena League background and his faith, but what impresses me more about this giant among men, is how he quietly and consistently demonstrates his values each and every day. Here are a few examples:
¨ When the Warner’s go out to eat, Kurt has his children (all seven of them) select a family at random and he then he anonymously pays for that family’s meal. Why? He does it to teach his children to appreciate their blessings and the value of giving to others.
¨ Each year, he selects eight needy, at-risk and Make-A-Wish families and pays all of the expenses for them to go for a week to Disney World. Not only does he pay for the trip, he takes his family and goes with them.
¨ Each year he leads the effort to purchase winter coats for needy families, visits numerous hospitals and endows scholarships for needy kids.
A few weeks ago, on a rare off day, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt had the pleasure of calling Kurt to inform him that he was selected to this year’s Pro Bowl. Answering the phone in his car, Kurt was on his way home after helping to construct a new playground at a local elementary school, but his day wasn’t over-when he got home he filled Christmas stockings for over a 100 foster children.
Currently, one of the debates you will hear on sports radio, is whether or not Kurt Warner belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Perhaps with a victory in today’s game he will cement his football legacy and end that debate, but I am absolutely certain, that if there were a Hall of Fame for husbands or fathers or people of great character, Kurt Warner would be a unanimous, first ballot selection. And for Kurt Warner, this would be a much greater honor.
1 Comment
February 2, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I appreciate and agree with everything you said. However, regretably, you omitted that Kurt publicly and humbly proclaims that all he is and does is a result of his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He would quickly tell you that all honor, praise, and glory belong to God alone. Please give God the glory due Him!