by Stephen Lindsley

Kurt and Brenda Warner know about overcoming adversity. They met in Iowa in 1992, at a time when both were struggling to make ends meet. Brenda was a divorced mother of two – her eldest son with vision and developmental problems – and Kurt was a scholar athlete, but without a job or car.

Kurt’s path to NFL history has not been an easy one, either. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1994, only to be cut six weeks later. Returning to Iowa, Kurt kept training while stocking shelves at a grocery store in the evenings to make ends meet. Eventually he signed with the Arena Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers. It was 1999 before he signed with the Rams as third-string quarterback.

Volunteer coaches at community centers fostered Warner’s love for football, and he never forgot their selfless commitment. Like a lot of other kids on the field, he dreamed of playing professional football and going all the way to a Super Bowl victory. But long before the “dream season” of 1999 turned that vision into a miraculous reality for Warner and the St. Louis Rams, he also knew that he wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and to help people overcome the kinds of challenges that he and his loved ones have faced.

After the Super Bowl victory and being chosen twice as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, Kurt Warner was a household name nationwide. He knew it was time to follow through on his desire to make an impact on the lives of the less fortunate. Kurt and Brenda looked at many different charitable organizations, but they weren’t simply interested in handing out money – they wanted to be personally involved in a way that would make a difference.

In May 2001, Kurt and Brenda founded the First Things First Foundation with a mission to seek out and support charitable organizations through their involvement. “Kurt and Brenda are proud of this programmatic approach, partnering with organizations to help them achieve their goals,” says Marci Moran, the former director of community relations for the Rams who now serves as executive director of the foundation.

“Kurt and Brenda don’t believe in limiting their God, so that is why they don’t limit their efforts to a single cause,” says Moran. “The foundation is based on Christian principles, with an emphasis on placing faith and family first. The compass that drives the direction of the foundation is Kurt and Brenda’s experiences.”

In the last few years, the foundation has sponsored a number of projects in collaboration with other groups. “We’re Going to Disney World” treats children with lifethreatening illnesses and their families to a weeklong vacation in Orlando, Fla., in partnership with the Make-AWish Foundation and Give Kids the World. The “First Things First FUNdamentals Ticket Program” gives members of the Sunshine Ministries 20 tickets to every Rams home game, plus Nike warm-ups, a Friday church service with the Warners and other amenities. In a program called “Homes for the Holidays,” which was started by NFL running back Warrick Dunn in Tampa, Fla., First Things First assists with a down payment on a new home for a qualifying single mother, as well as lining up other corporate sponsors to contribute goods and services. On Dec. 23, 2003, two single mothers in St. Louis took possession of their new homes, complete with donated appliances, housewares and accessories.

On June 11 and 12, Warner will host the second annual Ultimate Football Experience – a flag football tournament that pairs corporate executives with professional football players past and present who play quarterback on each team. Teams are sold for $20,000 each,with six participants per team. Last year’s event netted more than $160,000, with all proceeds benefiting the First Things First Foundation. The program includes a Friday night at Dave & Busters, including dinner and an auction. Then, the teams are put through a variety of challenges for draft ranking. The results of the silent draft determine the matchup of NFL players and their corporate teams. A two-day flag football tournament ensues at the Rams Park Training Facility – a “hands-on football fantasy experience.”

Because of their experiences, including Brenda’s training as a nurse, the Warners have a special connection with children who are battling illness and injuries. Among the many First Things First programs, several center around aid and support for children in hospitals here and in Iowa. The “Basket of Hope” program benefits newly diagnosed children and their families. Another program, “Children’s Hospital Outreach” includes “Warner’s Corner,” which is a lounge established at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital where ailing teens can relax in an environment created especially for them. The area includes sports memorabilia, large-screen TVs, computer games and more. More Warner’s Corner areas in other health facilities are being planned for the future.

Through their efforts, and with a special emphasis on personal involvement, Kurt and Brenda Warner have helped improve the lives of countless individuals and families. Because they know what it is to face and overcome adversity in their own lives, they have a unique perspective on how best to make a difference in the lives of others. The Warners’ commitment to faith and family, and their determination to keep moving ahead despite challenges and setbacks, provides a strong role model for people of all ages. Their optimism is at the heart of everything First Things First Foundation does, and their message gives hope to all they touch.

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Brenda and Kurt Warner are personally involved with programs such as "We're Going to Disney World."

 

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