Kurt Warner remembers Super Bowl XLIII fondly

Jan 30, 2013, 11:28 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2013, 12:03 am

LISTEN: Kurt Warner, Former Cardinals QB

Four years ago Kurt Warner was preparing to lead the Arizona Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay.

For Warner, who was 37 years old at the time, it was his third time playing the NFL’s biggest game.

For most of his teammates, though, it was a brand new experience.

“It was actually one of the proudest moments of my career,” Warner told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Wednesday. “I enjoyed that week so much because I enjoyed watching everybody else.

“I don’t think, very few people in that organization expected to be there, obviously, or maybe even thought that they would ever be there and to watch them enjoy that week — to see these players that had played for a number of years with the Cardinals, been here for the first time and really in the playoffs for the first time and then the Super Bowl, I enjoyed so much watching that ride through everybody else’s eyes.”

That’s not to say Warner did not enjoy it himself, as he said he knew his career was winding down and having one more shot to participate in all the Super Bowl entails is something he enjoyed and embraced.

But to be able to bring the Cardinals — the Arizona Cardinals — to that point was, in itself, an incredible accomplishment.

“Here’s a team that hasn’t been in a championship game in 50 years, and we’re here,” Warner says he remembers feeling. “Everything else was gravy. We’re going to try to go out and win and I think we can, but that week of just watching those players and enjoying it and stepping back and understanding how far we had come made it a tremendous week.”

Of course, then the game happened.

Without going into too much detail, the Cardinals took the lead late only to watch as the Steelers marched down the field to claim the win. It was a heartbreaking moment for the Cardinals and their fans, leaving a bitter taste in many peoples’ mouths.

Looking back on it now, Warner appreciates just how close the Cardinals were to being Super Bowl champions.

“You gain perspective as you get older and you come to appreciate moments,” Warner said. “You come to appreciate a moment like playing in the Super Bowl.”

Warner, talking about his 64-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald that put Arizona ahead 23-20 with 2:37 left is one such moment, as it proved to everyone that yes, the Cardinals belonged in the game against the vaunted Steelers.

“It’s basically saying we’re good enough to be world champions,” Warner said. “Now whether it finishes that way after great players making great plays to beat us; but to solidify ourselves with two minutes left in the final game and to be ahead, I think it lets everyone know that hey, this is a championship-caliber team.”

But the Cardinals did not win the championship, and Warner understands teams are ultimately judged by whether or not they take the trophy home and earn Super Bowl rings. However, he will not let the team coming up just short ruin what was ultimately an outstanding game and moment in his life.

“Everybody wants to win, but for me it’s about the two best teams playing in a game where either team can be champions and it comes down to great players making those plays,” he said.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51) and safety Ryan Clark during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) runs past Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker reacts after a long run in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals inthe NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) pulls in a pass as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51) makes the tackle with help from Ryan Clark (25) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is taken down by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden (20) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Arizona Cardinals safety Matt Ware (22) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend (26) approaching in the third quarter during the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, left, breaks away from Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, left, breaks away from Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt yells from the sidelines during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks to pass the ball during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt react to a call during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90) and Arizona Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry (92) after throwing the ball during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51) makes the tackle with help from Ryan Clark (25) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona Cardinals lineman Mike Gandy (69) and teammates react on the bench during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, left, tries to fend off Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker (39) runs through Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson (24) and Antrel Rolle during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner reacts to a play in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers duringthe NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed (3) kicks field goal in third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes reacts after a pass reception in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks to hand the ball off in front of Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chike Okeafor (56) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center, looks to pass as he is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, left, is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jerheme Urban pulls in a pass as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark defends during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass as his teammate Heath Miller(83) holds off Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chike Okeafor during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his touchdown with his teammate Brian St. Pierre during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24) after making a reception during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) gets pressured by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90) during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a 1-yard touchdown pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, top, during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald reacts after his 1-yard touchdown reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his touchdown with his teammate Brian St. Pierre during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) walks off the field during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) A flag flies in the end zone after Pittsburgh Steelers center Justin Hartwig (62) is called for holding during fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reacts to a safety as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby jumps in the background during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Roderick Hood signals back to the bench that the Cardinals scored a safety against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a holding penalty in the end zone in the fourth quarter the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24) for a 64 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, bottom center, is congratulated by teammates after his fourth-quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. At left is Anquan Boldin. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) A Pittsburgh Steelers fan reacts as Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald completes his 64-yeard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) makes a touchdown reception against Arizona Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco (47) during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates his touchdown pass to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes(10) is congratulated by his teammate Mewelde Moore after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. The Steelers won 27-23. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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