 
Tponetom
Member
Username: Tponetom
Post Number: 365
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 10:03 pm: |    |
About Kurt Warner! (Tponetom)
Any Hero Worshipers Out There?
At the wise old age of seven or eight, my psyche was awakened and mesmerized forever, by the presence of Hank Greenberg.
We kids had role models in 1934, 1935 and right on through 1940 and 1945. The Yankees won more pennants during those years but the Tigers had more than their share of classy ball players.
The Lions had “Dutch” Clark, quarterback. Later, Bobby Layne, was incarnate.
The Red Wings had “royalty” on their side: ‘Count’ Don Grosso, ‘Lady Bing’ Marty Barry, and Sid Howe. (And how!) Larry Aurie helped cast an aura over the whole team. (Gordie came later.)
I have always been a player, instead of a spectator, of sporting games. (After retiring from golf, two years ago, I do watch the tournaments on TV.)
I have always rooted for the young newcomer, aspiring to that first glorious conquest, and/or, the old, washed up Vet, in any sport, looking for one more “Last Hurrah!”
I root for 48 year old Freddie Couples to win one more golf tournament
I root for Andre Aggassi to win one more tennis match. He is now an ‘old man’ at the age of 30 something.
I am not an avid football fan but I do focus on special individuals.
The real class act of an old, wizened, has-been pro, Kurt Warner, personifies the guy I am talking about.
He caught my eye and my rooting heart when he was a “nobody” ten years ago.
He came out of a small Iowa College latched on to some small football league where he paid his dues. He was not the hottest pan cake on the griddle but for whatever reason or not, St. Louis needed a third string quarterback and so they hired him.
He repaid their confidence in him by helping St. Louis win the Super Bowl in 2000.
Then, two years later, he helped them get another Super Bowl appearance but they lost that one.
Suddenly, the spotlight went out and Kurt was in a career tailspin. He landed in the remote desert of the Southwest. Phoenix! The Arizona Cardinals! Talk about losers.
At the start of the 2008 season, Kurt just managed to get the job of starting quarterback for the team, edging out the younger, more glamorous, Matt, what’shisname.
It is now a matter of record. Kurt gave a super dose of fuel to that old image of a ‘Phoenix,’ rising from the ashes.
I know that Kurt did not do it alone. It takes 22 players and a helluva ‘bench’ to win a football game,,,but they always need a spark to get the fire going.
Me? I could not care less if Arizona wins or loses. I will not even watch the game.
If Kurt gets dumped on his ass a dozen times, I don’t care. He made his bones the hard way and paid the full price of admission. A ‘winner’ is never a loser
It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it, and Kurt Warner did it better than anyone could possibly imagine.
Note to Vince Lombardi: Sorry Vince. Winning is NOT everything. |
56packman
Member
Username: 56packman
Post Number: 2424
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 10:51 pm: | |
..........and how 'bout that Brenda! |
Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936
Post Number: 3823
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 - 2:24 pm: | |
"I could not care less if Arizona wins or loses. I will not even watch the game."
Oh, I will. Just to watch the commercials, if nothing else. But I will be pulling for AZ, although I suspect they're gonna get romped on. To bad, because that Pittsburgh QB Rolethsburger is the exact opposite of Kurt Warner. |
Jiminnm
Member
Username: Jiminnm
Post Number: 1661
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 - 5:21 pm: | |
"Note to Vince Lombardi: Sorry Vince. Winning is NOT everything."
This must also be the Lions' motto. |
Tponetom
Member
Username: Tponetom
Post Number: 366
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 - 8:55 pm: | |
Ray,
I should have phrased that statement differently. How could anyone not root for a 9 and 7 team, going into the playoffs and then have the 'Good Fairy' brandish them with his/her magical wand with 3 victories!
Win or lose, they deserve all the laurels for making such a great splash in the gutty quagmire of professional football.
Annnnd, I would not take a bet against them. That fairy may still be floating above them.
The entire team has come full circle in their abilities.
So I say, I will not be disappointed if they lose, because they have already won,,,,,respect. |
Tponetom
Member
Username: Tponetom
Post Number: 367
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 - 9:00 pm: | |
Ray,
I should have phrased that statement differently. How could anyone not root for a 9 and 7 team, going into the playoffs and then have the 'Good Fairy' brandish them with his/her magical wand with 3 victories!
Win or lose, they deserve all the laurels for making such a great splash in the gutty quagmire of professional football.
Annnnd, I would not take a bet against them. That fairy may still be floating above them.
The entire team has come full circle in their abilities.
So I say, I will not be disappointed if they lose, because they have already won,,,,,respect.
Certainly, mine. |
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