Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, pictured on the monitor, speaks to students in Parkersburg High School’s “Sports in American Culture” class Wednesday. (Photo by Alfonso Valdez)
PARKERSBURG — Hall of Fame and Super Bowl winning quarterback Kurt Warner took part in an online interview with Parkersburg High School students Tuesday, taking questions from students and providing insight into his journey and career in the NFL.
As part of PHS teacher Sam Vincent’s “Sports in American Culture” class, students were presented with an opportunity to sit down and learn about Warner’s journey from grocery store worker to Super Bowl champion. He spoke about the passion he had for the game of football and how his determination drove him to achieve his dreams of playing professional football.
“I thought that it was really neat to be able to talk to someone as famous as Kurt Warner,” sophomore Elliot Lambert said. “A lot of the interviews that we’ve done have been with cool people, but Warner is someone that I know and have watched a lot.”
Warner spoke about his experience growing up with a football loving family in the town of Cedar Rapids, IA, excelling in high school football, and eventually playing football at the University of Northern Iowa where he wouldn’t have a chance to play until his Senior year. Even though he was overlooked for the majority of his college career, Warner continued to believe he could be the best.
Receiving little to no recognition after college and being cut from the Green Bay Packers training camp roster, even having to work in a grocery store, he explained how his dedication to his dream led him to keep playing football despite his setbacks.
“Getting cut from the Packers was probably one of the best things for my career,” said Warner. “It took me down a path to play football and experience different things so that when I got my next chance, I could hit the ground running.”
Warner discussed his struggles both mentally and physically when he was at his lowest and how despite leaving football to work in a grocery store, he never gave up his mindset of hard work and determination.
“I had a mindset of excellence in everything that I did, so even when I found myself in moments of struggle, I knew it was about being consistent with who I was and the things I was doing,” Warner said.
He told the story of how he played in multiple different football leagues before finally receiving a chance to play for the Saint Louis Rams, the team in which he would lead to 2 Super Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl victory.
Despite the setbacks that Warner faced, he would go on to win a league MVP and appear in 3 Super Bowls, eventually receiving the honor of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and being cemented as an all time great.
“You want to be recognized as one of the best,” said Warner. “Being inducted was special to me as I was able to be recognized not only in the terms of throwing the football and having success but also being recognized for the journey that went with me.”
Students asked Warner who his favorite teammate was, where he keeps his Super Bowl ring, how it felt to win a Super Bowl, what qualities he values and other sports related questions.
Warner’s appearance provided the students with a unique opportunity to speak to one of football’s all-time greats and learn about his story of strength and determination. Warner concluded the interview by sharing a piece of life advice for the students, expressing the importance of practice and preparation in life and how hard work is required to achieve your dream.
“He told me a lot about how to follow a path of excellence and wanting to be the best version of yourself in everything you do, in every way, in every day,” junior Kendall Kimes said. “I think that his advice is such a great thing that you can apply to so many things in life. He taught me a valuable lesson of being the best version of yourself and how it benefits you but also others around you.”