God Bless You, Kurt Warner

Recently I had the privilege of reading an article by B/R writer James Williamson about one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks, Kurt Warner.

The Pick of the Day for Nov. 6, it described Warner as a person who, despite many trials and tribulations, was able to achieve his most prized goal by hard work, determination, and perseverance.

The last line of the article read as follows: “God Bless you, Kurt Warner. I hope our new generation of men grow up to be just like you.”

So naturally, I thought to myself, “Why not me?” Immediately I spouted off 10 reasons that did a fair job of justifying why it shouldn’t be me.

• “You’re 135 lbs soaking wet.”
• “You throw like a girl.”
• “Your mom still packs your lunch.”
• “Your Aunt Beatrice still buys your clothes.”
• “Your favorite movie is The Notebook (not Rudy, like you tell your friends).”
• “You’re afraid of owls, let alone 300-pound linemen chasing you like your mamma’s homemade chicken.”

You know, just to name a few.

Nevertheless, I knew in my heart that Kurt Warner wouldn’t let those setbacks overcome him. So on I press.

I decided that I needed a plan. A sure fire path to success. I grabbed my Trapper Keeper and tore out a sheet of paper. At the top of the page I wrote five words: God bless you, Kurt Warner.

This is my drive, my inspiration. If Kurt Warner can make it in the NFL, so can Michael Cline.

Besides, I’m more than qualified!

Just look at this resume:

Experience

In the eighth grade, I was quarterback for the Utica Junior High Redskins. No small feat, I assure you. I proudly wore that jersey on the sideline all year long.

Loyalty

When I was 10, I was captain of the “No Girls Allowed” Club. The other boys rewarded me with a gold star and a pack of Skittles for not allowing a single girl in all summer…except for Sally Mae, but no one knows about that really.

Smarts

One Thousand. That’s right. One thousand on the SAT, need I say more?

Looks

See the picture to the right? Tell me that’s not the face of a champion.

Yes, this dream will soon be reality.

Tomorrow I go to Piggly Wiggly to stock up on Campbell’s Chunky Soup. And from there I start my training: Billy Blank’s Tae Bo arrived in the mail today.

I’ve also got the tire roped to the tree, monkey bars in the back yard, and my dad said I could use his old football as long as I don’t lose it in the woods.

Not to mention the local high school told me yesterday that I could utilize the football stadium for practices on Sundays as long as the gates are opened. Not sure what that means, but as sure as there’s Sooners in Texas, I’ll be there Sunday!

For the next year of my life I will be a machine. A machine with one mission: to overcome the odds, put to shame the naysayers, and become the next great player in the National Football League.

And it’s all because of one man, one purpose, one passion.

God bless you, Kurt Warner.