Kurt Warner’s story is one in a million. Maybe more like one in 10 million or 100 million. Or as the newly released film chronicling his life says, an impossible one. His journey from a poor midwest family with no father figure, to a backup quarterback in college football at the University of Northern Iowa to his brief stint at the Green Bay Packers, to packing groceries at a local supermarket, to arena football, and finally back to the NFL on the St. Louis Rams, the new film, American Underdog: The Story of Kurt Warner takes the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster of drama, laughter, inspiration, and more as we see up close the winning drive in Warner to fulfill his dream to play in the NFL.
Today, Warner is considered the most successful undrafted player in NFL history. His life story, documented in the new film by Christian filmmakers Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin, American Underdog highlights the insurmountable odds Warner defied in reaching his dream and serves as an inspiration to others.
As the story goes, Warner meets his future wife and quickly falls in love as a recent college graduate. She is a woman with two kids of her own and some trust issues. Warner chooses to love her and her kids and shows himself as a committed family man. To survive, Warner takes a job at a grocery store after missing an opportunity to play with the Packers. The Packers let him go after 1 day and a missed opportunity to show what he could do for the team. An opportunity opens up for Warner to play Arena Football, a league Warner is repulsed by and at first refuses to accept the invitation. He finally agrees and finds success. Here he becomes a star in the football league and is scouted by the Rams who invite him to training camp. Here the head coach, Dick Vermeil played by Dennis Quaid sees something unique about him but the offensive coordinator, Mike Martz played by Chance Kelly isn’t buying it. He needs some additional assurance. He finally agrees and Warner delivers an MVP season and Superbowl Championship. The rest as they say is history.
The film is well done, of great quality, and authentically told from the heart and with the right message – put God first and live a life that pleases him and he can open doors for you and do things only he can do. It may be a journey and there will definitely be setbacks, but if you stick with God he will stick with you and you’ll find yourself in the best place possible – the center of his will for your life.
Photo credit: Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com
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