"Retirement for the financially sound can translate to self-indulgence, or it can take a philanthropic turn. Think of Kurt Warner choosing the latter approach and then multiply it by 10.

"My charity," he said, "is going to be huge."

Warner's zeal for helping the needy is as strong as his passion for football. He has the potential to make a profound social impact in a way only agroup of professional athletes has done.

Roberto Clemente was known as much for his charitable efforts as he was for his brilliant baseball skills. He died in a plane crash in 1972 while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

The late Arthur Ashe planted the seeds for his post-tennis life by speaking out about racial injustice during his playing days. Afterward, he became an activist against South African government forces, served as national chairman of the American Heart Association and worked to educate children about tennis. When he revealed he was HIV-positive, he expended much of his energy to AIDS education before passing away in 1993.

Former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson stepped away from the game and into educational service. In 2001, he founded The Carver Academy, a private school that is accessible to a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. His $11 million contribution is believed to be one of the larger single donations made by a professional athlete.

Warner shares traits with the three. He has the soul of a humanitarian and the eloquence to get his message out. He and his wife, Brenda, have life journeys that can resonate with a variety of people."