All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football and the Miracle Season

By Kurt Warner with Michael Silver

HarperSanFrancisco (2000) $24 hard copy 
($15 soft cover, available in August 2001), 

Review by: Shannon O'Toole

“All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football and the Miracle Season” promises a detailed, honest narrative at the pre-and post-life of Superbowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner.  At the center of this chronology to NFL greatness is Warner’s religious awakening and his Christian faith.  If he seems to talk excessively on the virtues of accepting Jesus and committing his life to the Lord, it’s because he believes the Lord has prepared him for superstardom for a long time.  According to Warner, it is God’s will for him to publicly glorify the Lord, whether he uses that platform by speaking in microphones after a game, or writing a book.  “Even before I made the Rams, I came to believe that God’s desire for me was to put me in a situation where I could touch lives.  I always felt like he had something significant in store for me, and I used to pray that he would use me in big ways.” 

His intense sense of religiosity will turn many readers off, especially those who can’t stand athletes who pray for football victories, then publicly thank God after a win.  You should save your money, because Warner goes into depth rationalizing how God does care about football games.  Warner says it’s his goal to “use every bit of prosperity God gives him (including football games) to glorify his kingdom.” 

That being said, even non-football fans may be inspired by this “bags to riches” story.  Many people who don’t even follow football, and possibly every grocery boy from Albertson’s to Safeway, have heard the story of Warner working the night shift stocking food shelves for minimum wage.  Warner was flinging the corn flakes and tossing marshmallows not in high school, but at age 23, after being cut by the Green Bay Packers in training camp and being passed over in the NFL World League draft.  Remarkably, fewer than five years after his frozen foods days, he was named the 1999 NFL Player of the League.  This amazing fact alone could be the reason he was called “the best single- season sports story in history” by ESPN analyst Chris Berman in the chapter titled, “Who is this Guy?”

What makes this book stand out from other sports-related books is it’s brutal honesty.  He says that people who are afraid to show their emotions and reveal their true feelings end up cheating themselves.  Nothing is sugar-coated or left out.  Readers hear everything from his adolescent bedwetting problem to living in his girlfriend’s parent’s basement, to eating meals purchased with his girlfriend’s food stamps. 

He is also refreshingly truthful about his relationships with former and current teammates and coaches.  Instead of the usual feel-good, “I love everyone and everyone loves me” refrain as told by many in professional sports, Warner does a good job of explaining the friction that exists between some coaches and players and even between players and players.  Seemingly unafraid of repercussions, he tells it how he sees it, and even gives the names of some high profile people.  For example, Randy Moss is labeled “King Kamehameha” for his conduct during the 2000 Pro Bowl. 

Most inspiring are the accounts of Warner’s ever-constant faith and confidence in his own abilities.  Despite being passed over for a Division I school, sitting the bench for most of his college career, being dumped by the Packers after only five weeks of training camp, and lowering himself to quarterbacking in the Arena League, he never doubted that he would play in the NFL.  With his ultra-competitive nature, he persevered and triumphed in spite of despairing odds. 

When he describes the Superbowl game in “Sunday Drive” and “Just Another Game,” the quarterback could be perceived as cocky.  For example, when the coach tried to give him technical advice on his throw, he writes, “I looked right through the back of his head” and told him, “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”  He also comes off as arrogant when he tries to explain why it took him to long to make it to the pros.  “I knew I was a pretty good quarterback, especially when it counted most.  And though I was overlooked and under-appreciated at every level after high school, I made the most of my opportunities and played exceptional football for winning teams.”  Then again, there has always been a fine line between confidence and cockiness.  Regardless, sports experts agree that the mark of a true champion is the ability to make the play in pressure situations.  No one can disagree that Kurt Warner often performs his best when his back is against the wall. 

Another person believed in him and supported him throughout the adversity.  Warner returns again and again to his relationship with his wife, Brenda, calling her the person “most responsible for my success and my spiritual turnaround.”  In “Who is this Guy?” Warner describes how Brenda herself has been the subject of controversy and speculation.  It probably started with their very public, televised kissing routine in which he dramatically presented her with the football after every game.  A self-assured, scripture-quoting woman who says she was “born again” at age 12, Brenda always believed God had big plans for her.  Her outspokenness, non-traditional looks (“striking hairstyle and expressive game day outfits”), and the fact she already had two children and was four years older than Kurt (gasp!) often made her the target of extremely cruel and petty comments in the media. 

Some of the best chapters discuss Kurt’s devotion and loyalty to his family.  From adopting Brenda’s kids after their marriage, one of whom is a special needs child, to being forced to choose Brenda over his mother after family conflicts, to sleeping with Brenda and the children on the living room floor covered only by a blanket because they didn’t have any furniture.  There is also a very moving account of Warner helping Brenda as she dealt with the pain of losing both her parents to a killer tornado. 

Most of these events occurred before they were married and some readers will question how such Bible-quoting, Christian people rationalize premarital sex and cohabitation.  Warner addresses that criticism and says when he talks with young people now, he tells them if he could live his life over again, he would have done things differently.  Specifically, he writes he would have waited for marriage before having sex.  Hypocritical concerns aside, there is no doubt – these people are survivors.  Lesser people would have cracked under the pressure and stress.  With so many roadblocks to the NFL, and all the life circumstances against them, Kurt and Brenda Warner have endured. 

Buy this book if you enjoy a good “Cinderella story.”  We get to witness the transformation of an obscure sports-obsessed child in the cornfields of Iowa to an NFL superstar who now deals with crazy fans picking through his garbage.  With its powerful depictions of this couple’s tough life prior to winning the Superbowl, readers may get their own sense of “All Things Possible.”  At least, the grocery boys will. 

Shannon O'Toole is working on a book about NFL wives. She is married to an Oakland Raiders coach.

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