Kurt Warner is quoted as saying that his religious beliefs may have contributed to his being benched last season, On the website baptist-press.com, Warner is quoted: "I actually had coaches say I was reading the Bible too much and it was taking away from my play. It was OK when we were winning, but now I was messing things up? People were saying I had lost my job because of my faith." Coach Mike Martz called these remarks far off-the-wall, going on: "I can't imagine Kurt saying that. Nothing could be further from the truth. If he said that, it's a bald-faced lie. I'm just tired of dealing with this type of behavior."

Warner has since apologized for his comments, whhich he said were taken out of context.

What do you think? Is this a ploy by Warner to be released by St. Louis in hope of finding some new team?

~Adam

I'll say he's just trying to get his release, but that's because I can be rather cynical. wink I wonder how the Rams' cap would be affected if they dumped him. They might want to trade him but who would want him?

The Devil benched him.

Kurt's comments sound like the QB on the commercial blaming his teammates for his bad play. Maybe Kurt's watching too much TV instead?

As Head Coach Mike Martz said, "If he said that, it's a bald-faced lie. I'm just tired of dealing with this type of behavior." (Quoted in today's NY TIMES).

Getting rid of Warner probably means the team will have to take a salary cap hit, so they're in a tight place. But I'm sick of him, his whining, and his hyper-religiosity. Retire and become an evangelist, please.

...and Mrs. Kurt Warner can kiss their asses good-bye too. Who would want that circus on their team now?

There are a few NFL players who like to proclaim their faith any chance they get, James Thrash comes to mind. If he is trying to blame his benching on his expression of religious beliefs then it is time for him to hang it up in football and go to the pulpit. He should visit Reggie White to see if there is an opening.

Warner is entitled to his religious beliefs and I'm sure he is sincere about them. But after several years in the league, he ought to have clued in by now that constantly spouting those beliefs can create division and resentment from his teammates, rather than fostering solidarity, which I always thought was an important role for a quarterback. A few years ago, a similar problem arose with Mark Brunell, QB of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but if I recall correctly the issue was "nipped in the bud" and Brunell backed off from his religious soap-box.

When it comes to religious spewing, he is only matched by one other, The great Reggie White. Although Reggie was a great player, I hated him for his constant comments about Gays and how his religion forbids it.

I used to like Warner, then he started all the Jesus shit with every interview. It's football, I don't think God cares if you win or not, there are far more important things for God to deal with in this world.

[ February 07, 2004, 07:15 AM: Message edited by: Denver Fan ]

Poor misguided Kurt! Was it his religious beliefs that had the Rams 0-7 in his last 7 starts? Was it his beliefs that caused him to lose all those fumbles and throw all those INTS? I wonder what God thought of his lying about his injury so he could stay in the game even though he was killing his own team?

The Rams are in a tough spot though. They take a huge cap hit if they release him. And trading him will be very difficult. Few teams will be willing to deal for him given the uncertainty of his health and his big salary. And the fact is no one has seen him do anything positive on the football field in over a year!

Regardless of where he ends up, the spotlight in September will be on Mr. Warner starting for another team; if he think he felt pressure to perform in St. Louis he aint seen nothing net. Living in south Florida I often wonder what kind of an impact he would have with the Dolphins. I have a feeling he would do a lot better with a team that plays indoors though. I can't think of one offhand that needs a quarterback though, any ideas guys?

maybe one of the arena league teams?

That's really the issue -- despite what looks like Warner's efforts to divert public attention elsewhere. The married-a-single-mom "Olympic Moment" fluff was only good "copy" when he (or, rather, his team, because he didn't get there alone) was at center stage. Now he's just another expensive player who's past his prime. Cue up the Bay City Rollers.

An update on the Kurt Warner story:

http://www.canada.com/sports/football/stor...58-1F481398B233

Interestingly, Warner says that his main goal is to "influence people" with his religious faith. I would have expected an NFL quarterback to say something more along the lines of "my goal is to have another chance to lead my team to the Super Bowl." At least Warner can't be accused of supplying standard, predictable responses . And while the help he provided to the woman mentioned in the story is commendable, I think Warner has worn out his welcome in the NFL (or at least in St Louis) and should consider becoming a preacher back in Iowa, or wherever he is from.

Gee and so many players, officials and others are oh so concerned about an openly gay athlete "upseting the team's comradeship". Stories like Warner's I find rather frustrating because of the hypocrisy on parallel matters pertaining to team solidarity.