Speech in hand, former Cardinals QB Kurt Warner ready for Hall of Fame induction
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Is Bruce Arians leaving the Cardinals? | 1:54
Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach, discuss Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians possible departure next season. James Harden plays like old man but you won’t see decline. azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSomers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker | 1:39
Kent Somers of azcentral sports sits down to talk with new Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker at the team’s Tempe training facility. Baker played college ball at the University of Washington. | Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers: Impressions from Cardinals minicamp | 1:43
azcentral sports; Kent Somers discusses what we learned from the Cardinals minicamp.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers recaps Cardinals minicamp Wednesday | 1:38
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers breaks down the Cardinals second day of minicamp on June 7, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers recaps Cardinals practice | 2:13
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers wraps up the Arizona Cardinals’ first day on minicamp on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals? | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss Blaine Gabbert’s role with the Cardinals and LeBron James’ performance in the NBA finals.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers, Bob McManaman talk another week of Arizona Cardinals OTAs | 2:33
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discusses another week of the Cardinals’ OTAs. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSBob McManaman after Cardinals practice Tuesday, May 30 | 2:24
Bob McManaman of azcentral sports wraps up the Arizona Cardinals practice at their Tempe facility, Tuesday, May 30, 2017..
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth | 2:07
Azcentral’s Kent Somers and Bob McManaman catch up during second week of OTAs at the Cardinals Training Facility. azcentral.com sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSArians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf | 1:44
Coaches and players talk about the importance of head coach Bruce Arians’ family fundraiser at Top Golf in Gilbert. (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSReport card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert | 0:58
How has free-agent QB Blaine Gabbert adjusted so far to the Arizona Cardinals? (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWatch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the NBA MVP, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers and the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backs.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWhat Deone Bucannon’s injury means for Cardinals | 2:24
azcentral sports insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman react to the big news from the first day of Cardinals OTAs. Video: Rob Schumacher
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDavid Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list | 1:11
The NFLPA has released its 2017 Rising 50 list of players poised to break out and rank among next season’s top-sellers in officially licensed merchandise and the Cardinals running back is No. 1.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNo throws for Cards QB, cheap shot in NBA? | 1:55
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss the latest on Arizona Cardinals’ Carson Palmer and the NBA playoffs.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait? | 1:59
Shot Clock: Colin Kaepernick is better than Blaine Gabbert, right? So why did the Cardinals not sign him? Also, Zack Greinke has his Randy Johnson moment … what does it mean for Diamondbacks?
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers talks Cardinals rookies | 1:48
With camp starting tomorrow, players reported today and reporter Kent Somers lays out the future and what the team hopes for it.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers talks Daryl Washington departure | 1:16
Cardinals insider Kent Somers gives some insight into the releasing of Daryl Washington and why it was probably best for both team and player.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals release linebacker Daryl Washington: Somers and Bickley discuss | 2:26
azcentral’s Kent Somers and Dan Bickley talk about the Cardinals decision to release linebacker Daryl Washington.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Gabbert a terrible fit for Cards | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Bob McManaman weigh in on the Cardinals’ signing of Blaine Gabbert.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSomers sits down with Arians on Cardinals’ offseason | 2:44
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about mini-camp, his excitement about undrafted rookies, LB Daryl Washington and QB Blaine Gabbert at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSBruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers | 2:36
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about Arians’ annual fundraiser at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSJim Hart to be inducted into Cardinals Ring of Honor | 0:40
The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday that former St. Louis Cardinals QB Jim Hart would be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this season. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Cards picks make instant impact? | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss what to expect from the Cardinals’ 2017 NFL draft class.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Tap brakes on Haason Reddick pick? | 1:54
Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley assess the Arizona Cardinals’ selection of Haason Reddick in Round 1 of the NFL draft and discuss the needs the team still has to address.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSights and sounds from Cardinals draft party | 2:50
Check out how Cardinals fans were feeling during the team’s 2017 NFL draft party.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSomers talks Reddick and possible 2nd and 3rd round picks | 1:33
Cardinals insider Kent Somers reacts to the introductory press conference for Haason Reddick and what the Cardinals might do next.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Cardinals draft of Haason Reddick | 2:40
With plenty of defense options on the table and all the quarterbacks gone, the Cardinals elected to go linebacker and Kent and Bob break down the reasons why. Patrick Breen/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals’ top first round NFL draft picks since 2000 | 1:09
The Cardinals have made 18 picks in the first round of the NFL draft since 2000. Take a look at the standouts. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCan Cardinals afford to be patient with another first-round pick? | 0:55
With the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft, can the Cardinals afford to repeat their strategy with their last two first-round picks?
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCards face choices with draft, Daryl Washington | 1:52
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers have the latest on the Cardinals draft and the reinstatement of Daryl Washington.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWhat to know about the Cardinals’ draft party | 0:57
The Cardinals are hosting draft parties Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Great Lawn outside of University of Phoenix Stadium.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Cardinals trade up for QB? | 1:47
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Jay Dieffenbach discuss possible Cardinals strategy in the NFL draft, views on picking a quarterback and more.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTop 5 special teams players of 2017 NFL draft | 0:41
Bob McManaman ranks the top special teams players in the upcoming draft.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKeim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round | 0:59
Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians have found some of their best players in the third round. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLarry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones talk about Celebrity Softball Game | 0:54
Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald and Chandler Jones discuss the importance of giving back and some bets amongst Cardinals players before the Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday at Salt River Fields. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals looking for ‘football character’ in NFL draft | 1:04
Cardinals GM Steve Keim has a tough task when it comes to finding quality talent and character to add to the team through the draft. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers talks with Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker | 1:43
azcentral sports Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Fostee Rucker. || Video by Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals DT Frostee Rucker on expectations, adding Karlos Dansby | 1:23
Cardinals defensive tackle Frostee Rucker discusses learning from last year’s expectations and adding Karlos Dansby and other veterans. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTop 3 games in Cardinals schedule | 1:06
Breaking down the top three games of the Cardinals’ 2017 season. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCards playing dangerous game with RB Johnson? | 1:59
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss the Cardinals’ potential use (or overuse?) of running back David Johnson.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: New face of Cardinals franchise? | 1:53
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Carmelo, a dancer, and the Cards’ quiet, classy young superstar.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLarry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament | 3:17
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald discuss Fitzgerald’s charity softball tournament on Saturday.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLarry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers | 5:24
The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald joined azcentral sports’ Kent Somers to discuss the team and the upcoming season.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFL meetings in Phoenix: On Bruce Arians, new rules, the draft | 3:35
Bob McManaman and Kent Somers at the NFL owners meetings on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Bruce Arianas likes full-time officials, centralized replay and says there’s 1 QB in upcoming draft who’s plug-and-play. Video: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFC coaches take questions at NFL owners meeting | 2:14
Coaches of the National Football Conference take questions from the media in Phoenix on March 29, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers talks with Bruce Arians at NFC coaches breakfast | 2:44
Cardinals insider Kent Somers and other reporters talk with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians at the NFC coaches breakfast on Wednesday at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. Video by Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
Shot Clock: Is Bruce Arians leaving the Cardinals?
Somers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker
Kent Somers: Impressions from Cardinals minicamp
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals minicamp Wednesday
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals practice
Shot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals?
Kent Somers, Bob McManaman talk another week of Arizona Cardinals OTAs
Bob McManaman after Cardinals practice Tuesday, May 30
Kent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth
Arians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf
Report card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job
What Deone Bucannon’s injury means for Cardinals
David Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list
No throws for Cards QB, cheap shot in NBA?
Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?
Kent Somers talks Cardinals rookies
Kent Somers talks Daryl Washington departure
Cardinals release linebacker Daryl Washington: Somers and Bickley discuss
Shot Clock: Gabbert a terrible fit for Cards
Somers sits down with Arians on Cardinals’ offseason
Bruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers
Jim Hart to be inducted into Cardinals Ring of Honor
Shot Clock: Cards picks make instant impact?
Shot Clock: Tap brakes on Haason Reddick pick?
Sights and sounds from Cardinals draft party
Somers talks Reddick and possible 2nd and 3rd round picks
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Cardinals draft of Haason Reddick
Cardinals’ top first round NFL draft picks since 2000
Can Cardinals afford to be patient with another first-round pick?
Cards face choices with draft, Daryl Washington
What to know about the Cardinals’ draft party
Shot Clock: Cardinals trade up for QB?
Top 5 special teams players of 2017 NFL draft
Keim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round
Larry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones talk about Celebrity Softball Game
Cardinals looking for ‘football character’ in NFL draft
Kent Somers talks with Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker
Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker on expectations, adding Karlos Dansby
Top 3 games in Cardinals schedule
Cards playing dangerous game with RB Johnson?
Shot Clock: New face of Cardinals franchise?
Larry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament
Larry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers
NFL meetings in Phoenix: On Bruce Arians, new rules, the draft
NFC coaches take questions at NFL owners meeting
Kent Somers talks with Bruce Arians at NFC coaches breakfast
As an NFL quarterback, Kurt Warner pored over details in the game plan, took all the snaps he could in practice and expected teammates to be just as fastidious in their preparation.
So it came as little surprise on Thursday when Warner admitted he’s spent weeks writing, editing and polishing the speech he’ll give when inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.
“The day after you’re chosen, they tell you they want you to get up there and speak for 12 or 13 minutes,” Warner said during a conference call on Thursday. “To try to put your entire career (in perspective) and thank the people you want to thank, and do the speech justice, I think it’s nearly impossible to keep it to that length.
“At the end of the day, I just take the approach you get one shot at this…and you just get up there and let it go. I guess you apologize later if it’s a little too long.”
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Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald talks with azcentral sports reporter Paola Boivin about working with Kurt Warner and building up his football career.
If Warner tries to tell his whole story in one speech, it will last hours because it’s one of the best stories in sports history.
He started just one college season at Northern Iowa. He was cut by the Packers. He played one summer in NFL Europe and three seasons in the Arena League. He stocked grocery store shelves to make ends meet. He became a starter with the Rams only after Trent Green suffered a knee injury.
Warner led two moribund franchises, the Rams and Cardinals, to Super Bowls.
He and wife, Brenda, are the parents of seven children, and they have devoted considerable time and resources to charitable causes.
So, yes, that’s a lot to cover in one speech on one Saturday evening.
Brenda will “present” Warner at his induction, a decision that ultimately was easy for Warner to make. She’s the one person, he said, who has been with him throughout, the one who sacrificed as much as he did.
“She really allowed me to chase after my dream,” he said. “She may have put things on hold and took on different responsibilities that she may not have if we had went a different direction.
“Being up on that stage, there are so many people who helped me get there, but she’s the one I believe deserves to share that moment with me, share that stage with me.”
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Former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner talks about his Hall of Fame expectations. Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral
Presenters’ speeches are recorded and brief, but Brenda’s might pack a punch, Warner said.
“Anytime it’s your wife, you’re wondering what they might say in public,” he joked.
As for his speech, Warner hinted it might be unique.
“Maybe a little different than what other people have done,” he said, “but I think that’s kind of fitting, and I think that’s what you want to do. Just as your career took its own path and wrote its own story, it will be the same when I get up there on that stage.
“If you do it right, it doesn’t seem like it’s too long.”