Before we get to reaction on Kurt Warner’s retirement, here are a few quick notes about his lengthy press conference.
1. Warner isn’t coming back. He was decisive. “There is no question in my mind I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. There’s no question I’m leaving at the right time. Because I know that, it’s easy for me to walk away. I don’t worry one bit about looking back and wishing I’d played longer.”
2. Warner said he was leaning towards retiring halfway through the 2009 season. And that he essentially knew he would retire late in the year. He says he’s healthy and is happy to leave the game that way on his own terms.
3. His plans for post-football included family, preaching, public speaking, writing, his charity work, and ideally stay involved in football as a member of the media if he has time. So he’ll be busy.
4. Taking a second franchise to the Super Bowl was the achievement he was most proud of. (And the one that we’re most impressed with.)
Okay, now on to the tributes to Warner that will continue to pour in over the next week. Because this post risks being longer than Warner’s first book, we’ve posted the quotes after the jump.
Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom (Edited for brevity): “Kurt Warner epitomizes the finest qualities that can be attributed to any athlete. He is a gentleman, competitor and, most of all, a winner whose achievements and contributions go far beyond the field of play.
“On behalf of my sister, Lucia, our partner, Stan Kroenke, and the entire Rams organization, I want to wish Kurt, Brenda and their beautiful family the very best as they move ahead with their lives. We are honored and privileged to have Kurt as a treasured member of the Rams’ alumni family.”
Larry Fitzgerald: “Sad 2 c Kurt leaving!Gr8 player but even better person.God has really blessed him w/ an amazing story & I wish him the best moving forward!”
Tom Coughlin: “Kurt Warner was a tremendous example for our football team when he was here. He is a pro’s pro . . . The contribution that Kurt and Brenda and their family have made in every community they have been in has been tremendous. As outstanding a football player as Kurt is, he is a better person than he is a player.”
Tony Romo: “He’s been amazing. Really he’s done everything you can do in the game. He’s been an MVP. He’s been a Super Bowl champion. He plays at a high level year in and year out. He has nothing left to prove and he’s been a great ambassador for the game as well.”
Matt Leinart: “Huh? Leave me alone, I’m sleeping.” (Okay, we made that one up.)