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Kurt Warner announced his retirement earlier this year. What a class act and an amazing athlete.
I worked at the University of Northern Iowa athletic department when Kurt was a student-athlete.
We all know Kurt’s story—rising from a stocker at HyVeeto an outstanding career in the NFL. He retired with a Super Bowl ring, two additional Super Bowl appearances, four Pro-Bowl selections and two MVP awards.
However, the reason I will always hold him in high esteem is not because of his accomplishments on the football field.
Kurt was awarded the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2008. This recognition goes to an NFL player who has significantly given back to their communities.
Warner and his wife established a foundation, First Things First, in 2001 as a way to share their blessings. Through the foundation, they have sponsored trips for Make-a-Wish kids, Run, Punt, Pass & Kick camps in coordination with Special Olympics; have provided coats to underprivileged kids in St. Louis and Phoenix, funded a children’s wing at a St. Louis Hospital which they regularly visit, and helped raise money and rebuild homes in his flood-ravaged hometown of Cedar Rapids, among many other events they sponsor for kids.
I’ve been touched in a personal way by the Warners’ commitment to “impacting lives by promoting Christian values, sharing experiences and providing opportunities to encourage everyone that all things are possible when people seek to put ‘first things first’.”
For several years, I mentored a young, single mother with a mentally disabled child. This young woman worked hard to earn her GED and graduate from cosmetology school, get a job and earn the opportunity to live in a Habitat for Humanity house. She worked diligently on the house, pounding nails and hanging drywall, till finally one May the house was to be dedicated and she and her daughter would move in.
My husband and I drove to the dedication ceremony and were greeted by my tearful friend. “You’ve got to see my house,” she said almost frantically. I worried that something had gone wrong — perhaps someone had vandalized the new dwelling.
It turns out that Kurt and Brenda Warner, through their foundation First Things First, had completely furnished my friend’s house with everything — furniture, computer, household items, dishes, even groceries. They attended the dedication as well. Brenda’s parents had lived not far from where the new house now stood. They have touched many other Habitat for Humanity families each year in this same way.
My friend receives a box of brownies and a Christmas card each year from the Warners. I know she will miss watching her hero on Sundays, but I also know that Kurt and Brenda will continue to share their blessings and touch lives now that the game is over.
For all the bad stories we hear about professional athletes, Kurt Warner is definitely one of the good guys. By the way, he’s not the only UNI grad doing good things. Mike Furrey(former 1996-98 UNI wide receiver, now with the Cleveland Browns) was a finalist this past year for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
God bless you, Kurt.
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