PHX Reporter

Kurt Warner, the former NFL quarterback and Hall of Famer, was among several past recipients of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award honored at a special luncheon in New Orleans. The event was organized by the NFL and Sport For Impact (SFI), an organization co-founded by Anquan Boldin to educate athletes about the non-profit sector.

Warner expressed his views on philanthropy before attending the event. "It's always an honor to be recognized for the work that you are doing but to me, as we go through this thing and move into the next phase, so many of these moments are simply about sharing with other people the kind of impact they can have," he said. He emphasized that their platform allows them to continue impacting lives beyond their playing careers.

The luncheon celebrated not only Warner but also other former players who have maintained their commitment to community service after retiring from professional football. Alongside Warner and Boldin, honorees included Derrick Brooks from the Buccaneers, Warrick Dunn from the Falcons, Marty Lyons from the Jets, and Troy Vincent from the Eagles.

Warner received his Man of the Year award in 2008 during a ceremony held at Raymond James Stadium before Super Bowl XLIII. Since then, he has continued his charitable efforts through his First Things First foundation, benefiting communities in Phoenix, Iowa, and St. Louis.

The importance of this award is underscored by current Cardinals player Trey McBride's comments: "This year's Cardinals MOY...was just the 'first step' in what he plans to make a long-time commitment to charity."

Warner hopes that events like Friday's luncheon inspire current players to remain committed to charitable work after their sports careers end. "To me it's simply more about showing guys that it doesn't have to stop once your career stops," Warner stated. He encouraged ongoing engagement in philanthropic endeavors as part of a lifelong mission.