Kurt Warner's emergence changed Trent Green's career

Kurt Warner's career is intertwined forever with former teammate Trent Green, who, ironically, was born in Cedar Rapids. Green's left knee was shredded by a wicked hit from then-San Diego Chargers safety Rodney Harrison in 1999, paving the way for Warner to take over the St. Louis Rams and lead them to the first of two Super Bowls.

I wrote about Green's experiences for several years, and he discussed how he felt when Warner took over for him in 1999. Here's a passage from that story:

(Green) anguished through four surgeries to repair the knee. He watched his backup, former stock boy Kurt Warner, become possibly the greatest success story in NFL history. Warner's path paralleled Green's in many ways: Warner moved from Division I-AA football to Arena Football to grocery stores to NFL Europe to career backup to chance starter.

Warner completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdowns that season to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl title. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player and his story captivated the nation.

Green, conversely, watched the scene in disbelief. He could have led the Rams to the same success. His first real shot was over before it started.

Some compared his situation to 1920s New York Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp sitting out a game, which allowed Lou Gehrig a shot to play. Gehrig then played in 2,130 consecutive games.

“To tell you the truth, that was a lot of motivation to get back and to play,” Green said. “After hearing the Wally Pipp story 100 times, I didn't want that to be my final story.

“I didn't want to be that Sports Illustrated Where Are They Now' kind of thing.”

Green went through excruciating rehabilitation just to walk again. He reflected on his career. He thought about Coach Vermeil, his wife, Julie, and others who helped him reach his status as NFL quarterback. It was hard. But he accepted it.

“As much as I'd like to sit here and say how bad it was and how negative it was,” he says, “I probably took more positive out of it than anything, and it's probably made me a better person and player.

“Don't get me wrong I wish it never happened.”

To read the whole story, click

here