Kurt Warner took a unique route into the NFL. After going undrafted coming out of Northern Iowa, the Green Bay Packers would sign him, but they released him from the roster.
Before the 1994 season, when no other NFL team would give him an offer, he went to work at a grocery store in Cedar Falls for $5.50 an hour, according to David Mikkelson of Snopes.
In 1995, Warner signed a deal with the Iowa Barnstormers of Arena Football League (AFL). He would go on to be named to the AFL's First-team in both 1996 and 1997. He would also lead the Barnstormers to ArenaBowl appearances in both seasons in the league.
Before the 1997 season, Warner was invited to a tryout with the Chicago Bears, but an injury to his throwing elbow ended his opportunity. In 1998, he would sign a future contract with the St.Louis Rams (now the Los Angeles Rams), but he was sent to play in NFL Europe, backing up future Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme.
After his stint in Europe, Warner was signed by the Rams, and during the 1999-2000 season, Warner led the Rams to their first and only Super Bowl. He would make one more appearance in the Super Bowl in a Rams uniform in 2001, but they would fall to Tom Brady and the Patriots.
After a very successful career, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.