How Benching Helped Extend Kurt Warner's Career

There is an adage that says, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," a phrase adapted from 17th playwright William Congreve.

Fast forward hundreds of years, and I'll adapt that to our beloved sport: "Hell hath no fury like a quarterback benched."

For Kurt Warner and hundreds of professional sports players, nothing hurts worse than losing your job. In 2003, with the St. Louis Rams, Warner lost his job to journeyman Marc Bulger.

In 2004, with the New York Giants, Warner was benched in favor of the first-overall draft pick, Eli Manning.

In signing with the Arizona Cardinals, Warner did not fare any better. He was benched twice.

In 2005, due to injury, Josh McCown finished the season for the Cardinals. Years later, Kurt was again relegated to the sideline when Arizona took University of Southern Cal standout and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart in the first round of the 2006 draft.

Warner repeatedly lost his job, primarily due to injury. Concussion, broken fingers, and muscle tears have all taken away from one of football's most accurate passers. With his play in decline, successive coaches have made the move that no player likes to hear—especially a four-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl MVP, and two-time NFL MVP. 

Between 2002 and 2006, Warner played only 36 of 80 games. For the 37-year-old former undrafted quarterback out of Northern Iowa, the time off the field, safe on the sidelines from bruising hits, body-bending sacks, and cheap shots has allowed his body to heal.

Obviously, standing next to the coach with a headset rather than a helmet is a lot easier on one's physique.

Warner is also mentally healthy. Watching from the sidelines has only stirred his competitive nature and fueled his desire to prove himself worthy of the starring quarterback job. Guys like Warner, the Titan's Kerry Collins, and Shaun Hill of the 49ers have allowed patience to keep their skills sharp, waiting for subsequent chances to play.

The 2008 season is the first time Kurt has played the entire schedule since 2001, a year in which he took the St. Louis Rams to Super Bowl XXXVI, eventually losing to the New England Patriots. On Feb. 1, the world will see if the aging quarterback has enough fire to beat arguably the best defense in the NFL.

Kurt Warner will be in his third Super Bowl game—on the field, in the middle of the action, right where he wants to be.