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Kurt Warner went from working in a supermarket to becoming an NFL MVP and a Super Champion. Not many pro athletes can say that.

As a result of his inspirational story, the Iowa native became a popular player during his six years with the St. Louis Rams. During this time, he wore a jersey number many people try to avoid.

Kurt Warner’s football career

Warner’s football career began with four seasons at the University of Northern Iowa, in which he made just 12 starts in his senior year. He went undrafted in the 1994 NFL Draft but received a tryout with Green Bay that offseason.

The Packers released Warner before the regular season began. After his release, he worked a minimum-wage job at an Iowa grocery store. Then, Warner played for the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League before playing a season in the now-defunct NFL Europe in 1998.

Later in 1998, the Rams signed him, and he became their starter in 1999. Warner earned league MVP honors after going 13-3 and throwing 41 touchdowns. He also led the Rams to a Super Bowl title that season and was named Super Bowl MVP.

Warner ended up playing 12 seasons with the Rams, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals, earning a second MVP in 2001. After the 2009 season, he retired. In 2017, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kurt Warner’s jersey number

In his first season with the Rams, Warner wore jersey No. 10. But every other season he played in college or the NFL, he wore No. 13. Not many players wear that number, which is thought to be unlucky.

According to the New York Times, Warner was one of just five players on the 32 NFL teams to wear that number in 2008 and just the sixth Cardinal since the franchise entered the league in 1920 to sport No. 13.

So why did Warner choose to buck the trend and wear that number? Because of his religious background. He explained to the NY Times how he has “kind of embraced” the number and that his “life is never dictated by superstitions.” His faith comes first for Warner. The Hall of Famer believes “if you believe that God’s in control, there is no reason to believe in superstitions.”

Where to buy Warner’s Rams jersey

Because of the “everyman” nature of Warner’s story of going from the grocery store to the gridiron, he had a popular jersey that sold well during his career — and it continues to be available today.

You can buy authentic Warner jerseys wherever NFL jerseys are sold, including NFLshop.com, Mitchell & Ness, and Amazon. You can also buy his team-specific jerseys at the Rams’ and Cardinals’ official team stores.

Warner was popular during his career, but he doesn’t have the best-selling jersey of all time. NFL Shop reports that Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen had the top-selling jersey of 2022, with now-retired Tom Brady coming in at No. 10 after over 20 seasons in the league.

With a jersey selling that well after so many years in the NFL, Brady has to be near, if not at, the top of the list of all-time best sellers. Other players who are likely among the best sellers due to longevity, popularity, or both include Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Troy Aikman, and Jerry Rice. However, Warner has done well for himself after going undrafted out of UNI.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

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Contributing Writer

Scott Jenkins

Scott Jenkins has contributed content with a focus on Sportscasting. He also occasionally contributes content to MotorBiscuit like how to pronounce Audi and other riveting automotive topics.

Scott centers most of his writing for Sportscasting on the MLB and NFL, both of which he follows closely. (He’s even got fantasy teams for both leagues each year.) He’s more than halfway toward his goal of seeing a baseball game at all 30 MLB stadiums, and also checked off a bucket list item by attending a Texans-Packers matchup at Lambeau Field in 2016. (It was even complete with snowfall during the game, which was the icing on the cake.)