Cardinals team president Michael Bidwill shows Kurt Warner where his name is on the stadium after Warner was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor Monday night.
Kurt Warner wore those familiar Cardinals colors at University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday night, but this time he traded a football for a podium.
The former star quarterback, clad in a black suit with a white shirt and red tie, was added to the Ring of Honor during halftime of the
Cardinals' nationally televised matchup against the Chargers. Warner was introduced by team president Michael Bidwill and gave a speech to the sellout crowd from midfield.
After a memorable peak with the Rams when he won a Super Bowl and went to another, Warner reignited his career with the Cardinals, playing five seasons and leading the team to a pair of playoff appearances, including the only Super Bowl appearance in team history.
"I look back and I say, with everything we did here, and what we changed here, and what we brought here, it was the perfect ending to what I believe in a lot of ways was the perfect career," Warner said.
Warner's name and No. 13 were added into the northwest part of the stadium – or "Warner's Corner," as his kids call it -- between Marshall Goldberg and Dick 'Night Train' Lane. Warner harkened back to the beginning of his storybook tale during the speech, when he worked nights at a grocery store before becoming a star NFL quarterback.
He soaked in the adulation as his name was unveiled during the ceremony.
"What a ride it's been," he said.
ELLINGTON FIGHTS THROUGH PAIN
After much will-he-or-won't-he speculation, Andre Ellington shook off a foot injury to start at running back
against the Chargers. He admitted he wasn't his normal explosive self, but still finished with 13 carries for 53 yards and five catches for 27 yards.
Ellington said it took until warm-ups to get the official go-ahead to play in the game.
"I didn't run after the injury this week," Ellington said. "I didn't run at all. But I was able to get out there before the game and give it a shot."
Ellington originally feared the tendon injury would keep him out for an extended time, but conversations with multiple doctors eased those concerns. He said the foot was sore and he's not sure how long the injury will linger, but will continue to play through it.
"This game you will never play pain-free," Ellington said. "I'm willing to play through any pain."
ABRAHAM WITH CONCUSSION, CARDS USE TWO PUNTERS
Safety Tyrann Mathieu (knee) did not play, while Dave Zastudil did not punt due to a groin injury but was active for the contest to hold the ball on field goals. The Cardinals signed Drew Butler earlier in the day and he punted four times for 218 yards while a fifth was blocked.
Coach Bruce Arians said using two punters was a risk but he didn't want rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro to have a new holder in his NFL debut.
"We dressed two punters, and we took a big chance," Arians said. "We were thin at a couple spots."
Linebacker John Abraham left the game to be tested for a concussion, while defensive end Frostee Rucker suffered a calf injury.
