"An old man, at least by NFL standards, became young again today, as Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner

announced his retirement from the game at age 38.

In a news conference at the team's Tempe facility, Warner said he was walking away from the game after 12 seasons while he could still walk.

Befitting the devout Christian that he is, Warner's career was defined by ascension and resurrection. He made it to the NFL after spending time playing in Europe, the Arena League and stocking shelves at the Hi-Vee Grocery Store back home in Iowa.

He helped two moribund franchises, the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals, make it to three Super Bowls, winning two MVP awards and making four Pro Bowl appearances along the way.

Warner's career was not without pitfalls, however. Along with the Super Bowl trips, he was benched by the Rams, Giants and Cardinals. When he lost the Cardinals starting job to Matt Leinart in 2006, it appeared Warner would finish his career as a backup.

But after Leinart suffered a broken collarbone in the fifth game of 2007, Warner took over the job and didn't give it back until today.

In 2008, he enjoyed one of his finest seasons, passing for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns as the Cardinals enjoyed a magical ride to the franchise's first Super Bowl, where Arizona lost in the last seconds to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Warner was almost as good in 2009, despite missing a game because of a concussion, as the Cardinals won their second consecutive NFC West title and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs."