American football star gives God the glory

By January 22, 2009

USA (MNN/BP) — Kurt Warner's autobiography is titled, "All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football and the Miracle Season." Warner is at the center of yet another miracle season, leading his underdog Arizona Cardinals to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, reports the Baptist Press.

Warner's Arizona Cardinals turned in their third upset in as many weeks Jan. 18, shocking the Philadelphia Eagles, 32-25, on a late-game drive engineered by the outspoken Christian NFL veteran.

The Cardinals now will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Raymond James Field in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers qualified for the NFL title game with a 23-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Warner wrote the autobiography after leading the St. Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl title in 2000. Now, nearly a decade later, the 37-year-old signal caller is taking another first-time team to pro football's biggest game, but he still hasn't forgotten his power source.

"I never get tired of saying it," he told a stadium full of Cardinals fans and a national TV audience after the Jan. 18 NFC playoff victory. "I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to be here and do the things I do."

Warner also was the subject of a book on his Christian faith after the Super Bowl win with the Rams titled, "First Things First." On Sunday, Warner said anew that he tries never to forget to give glory to God in even the most unlikely of circumstances.

"You knew I'd say that," Warner told Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw in his brief testimony following the game.

With two weeks to prepare for the most-watched sporting event of the year, it could shape up for another worldwide media showcase for Warner and other NFL Christians to share their faith to tens of millions of people.

The Cardinals team chaplain is Baptist youth minister Chad Johnson, who serves at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Kevin Jordan from Athletes in Action is the Steelers' team chaplain.

For day-by-day coverage of the spiritual side of Super Bowl XLIII next week in Tampa, along with an exclusive question-and-answer interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, go to www.bpnews.net each day, starting Friday, Jan. 23.

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