More than Just Words
Jan. 23, 2009
By Nick Dunn
At every press conference, Kurt Warner makes sure to take something with him to the podium as he answers questions from the media – his Bible.
For someone who has been outspoken about his Christian beliefs since his rise to stardom with the St. Louis Rams in 1999, this simple act could be seen as a bit showy. It could be viewed as a prideful attempt to show the members of the media what they already know – that he is a man of faith.
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"[Kurt]'s not extremely vocal, but he's an extremely, extremely good example. His character is never compromised."
-- Cardinals' chaplain Chad Johnson |
But, as Cardinals wide receiver Jerheme Urban said, it's never been about Warner.
"Kurt and I have talked about that," Urban said, "and he takes his Bible with him so that, whenever he's answering questions, he looks down and remembers, 'This isn't about you. You wouldn't be doing any of this without God.'"
So it's been for Warner since his classic rags-to-riches story, his grocery sacker-to-NFL MVP tale of trials and God's unending blessings. He's developed a nation-wide reputation for speaking out about his beliefs when given the opportunity. But according to those who know the man beyond his public persona, it's Warner's actions away from the cameras that make him so rare.
"Kurt's the best professional I know, in any arena I've ever seen," said Chad Johnson, who has served as the Cardinals' chaplain for all four of Warner's seasons with the team. "He's just a pro, man. He's excellent at everything he does. He's always the hardest note-taker, even in Bible study or chapel."
Christian athletes often speak of using the platform they've been given to reach others for Christ. Warner is certainly no exception. Even after leading his team to a 32-25 victory over the Eagles in this year's NFC Championship Game to send Arizona to its first title game in 61 years, Warner stood on the stage before a roaring crowd and said, "There's one reason I'm standing up on this stage today, and that's because of my Lord up above. I gotta say thanks to Jesus. You knew I was going to do it, but I gotta do it."
Warner was right. Not only about giving thanks to Christ, but he was right because everyone did expect him to do it. That's the example he's set. He uses his platform every chance he gets.
But when the camera lights fade, and the media have all gone home, it's not what you say that matters, but how you live. And according to Johnson, Warner's presence in the locker room is not how most would envision it.
"He's not extremely vocal," he said, "but he's an extremely, extremely good example. His character is never compromised. He's definitely about who he says he is."
Urban, who had heard of Warner's story before he arrived in Arizona in 2007, said the veteran QB's influence in the locker room is subtle.
"He's not thumping his Bible all over the place," Urban said. "I feel like some of the guys might see him and feel like he's unapproachable, maybe because the media has sort of hyped him up, but he's very approachable. He just leads by example, and people know what he stands for."
No one knows when Warner's made-for-Hollywood NFL story will come to an end. He's been "down and out" more times than perhaps any other player in recent memory, so at this point it's probably foolish to doubt him yet again. Whether or not he keeps playing, though, isn't really the point. There's more to his life than just football – or even Super Bowl trophies.
"A lot of people can stand up on a podium and give thanks to God or praise God or say all the right things," Warner said in a recent interview on Sharing the Victory Radio, "but it's when you're down and things aren't going well that people get to see your real character."
**Photo courtesy of kurtwarner.org.
