Ranking the top 50 quarterbacks in NFL history…
Undrafted out of Northern Iowa in 1994, Warner’s unconventional path to NFL stardom included stints in the Arena Football League and stocking groceries before joining the St. Louis Rams as a backup in 1998.
He burst onto the scene in 1999 after starter Trent Green’s injury, leading the Rams to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl XXXIV victory, where he threw for 414 yards and two touchdowns, earning [Super Bowl MVP honors](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/football/2025/01/30/kurt-warner-super-bowl-34-mvp-rams-titans-iowa-barnstormers-uni-american-underdog-movie/78024848007/). That season, Warner also claimed NFL MVP, posting league-leading stats with 4,353 yards, 41 touchdowns and a 65.1 percent completion rate as part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” offense.
Warner won another MVP in 2001, guiding the Rams back to the Super Bowl with 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns, though they fell short. After injuries and a release, he revived his career with the Arizona Cardinals from 2005-2009, leading them to their first Super Bowl appearance in XLIII in 2008, throwing for 377 yards in a narrow loss to Pittsburgh. He earned four Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections overall.
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Warner’s career totals include 32,344 passing yards, 208 touchdowns and a 93.7 passer rating across 124 games, ranking him among the elite for efficiency.
Warner’s playing style was that of a classic pocket passer: rhythmic, timing-based and methodical, excelling in West Coast schemes that emphasized short-to-intermediate precision. While not mobile, his anticipation and arm talent fueled explosive offenses.
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Warner’s resilience and underdog story cemented his 2017 Hall of Fame induction as one of football’s greatest rags-to-riches tales.
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