"Wouldn't it be a hoot if Kurt Warner walks through the doors of Canton wearing the black, gold, red and white of the Iowa Barnstormers?

After all, it's the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That Arena League team gave Warner an opportunity to showcase his skills after the former I-AA standout at Northern Iowa went undrafted and began stocking shelves for minimum wage in Cedar Falls.

That five-year Hall of Fame clock is now ticking for the grizzled gunslinger, who announced his retirement from the Cardinals on Friday - to the delight of defensive backs from the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers who won't have to face Warner twice a year anymore.

Three years ago, Warner seemed unlikely to be honored with a bust in the Canton, Ohio, shrine to excellence.

But the more you look at the man's body of work, the more you realize how lucky we've been to have No. 13 in our midst.

When Warner became the St. Louis starter for Coach Dick Vermeil in 1999, he was already 28. Those Rams edged the Bucs in the NFC title game before beating Tennessee as Warner won the daily double - MVP of the regular season and Super Bowl MVP.

Two years later, he ran for one fourth-quarter touchdown and threw for another as the Rams rallied from a 17-3 deficit against New England in the Super Bowl, only to lose 20-17 in Tom Brady's first star turn.

And we won't forget Warner's valiant efforts for the Cardinals last year in Tampa, where he ripped the NFL's No. 1 defense for 377 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-23 Super Bowl loss to the Steelers.

The man easily could be 3-0 in the league's showcase game, but Warner's postseason numbers (9-4 record, 102.8 passer rating) remain glittering.

In the games that matter most, Warner's clubs averaged 29.6 points in his 13 postseason starts.

His back story, of course, is made for the big screen."