I recently read “First Things First: The Rules of Being a Warner” by Kurt and Brenda Warner. Kurt Warner’s impressive football career and his proclivity for crediting all his successes to Jesus Christ has made him an interesting media figure.
This book has it’s roots in a popular 2008 New York Times article called “Rules of the Family” where author Karen Crouse lists the eight rules for being a Warner kid. Reader response was so positive that the Warner’s thought they’d elaborate on more of their family values, and First Things First was born.
I don’t typically buy biographies, but as a Cardinals fan (and specifically a fan of Warner and what he stands for), I thought I’d give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised at my level of enjoyment. The book is an open and honest look into the ups and downs of Warnerhood. From setting-straight the internet version of how they met, to learning to live a life of celebrity and influence, to stories of how they deal with everyday marriage and family situations, the book is excellent.
One recurring theme that I found particularly fascinating was how Kurt and Brenda differ when it comes to signing autographs away from the field. Even though both work hard to preserve their family time, Kurt tends to take the position that simply signing an autograph is quicker and easier than explaining that he’s with his family and that he needs to stay focused on them. Brenda seems to prefer that he do the latter, but Kurt generally does the former. Kurt also seems torn because he sees each fan interaction as a chance to influence that person for Christ.
This got me thinking about how difficult it would be to live a life where people are always interrupting your family dinner, your trip to the grocery store, your vacation, and even your small-talk with the auto mechanic. That has to get old. I also began thinking about how we as fans tend to act so selfishly with celebrities. Somehow, in our excitement to meet someone famous, we fall into a sort-of temporary narcissism that permits us to put our need for an autograph over all else.
Though I’m not a person who gets particularly star struck, I know that I have probably been guilty of approaching a famous person at an inopportune time. After reading this book, I’ll certainly think twice before interrupting someone’s dinner for my own benefit. I appreciated the chance to see the struggle that the Warners endure with something so seemingly superficial as signing an autograph. I can definitely see both sides of the issue.
What about you? Have you ever tried approaching a celebrity for an autograph on his/her personal time? What do you think you would do if you were in his/her shoes?
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I guess you could look at Kurt's willingness to sign autographs as setting a good example for his children. He is definitely not putting his own interests first and is being unselfish. People who choose to be in the limelight should definitely expect to be noticed. That's the way life is–Kurt's kids probably understand that they have what they have because he is who he is.
I totally agree with you. I know that he sees himself as being a witness for Christ on the field and off, and I'm certain his kids understand his desire to influence others. Still, I imagine it would be terribly difficult for him to allow a fan interrupt one-on-one time with one of his kids just to get an autograph. There has to be a line somewhere. Maybe the responsibility for drawing that line rests with the fan just as much as with the celebrity.
For my own part, I know that reading the Warners' perspective on this will cause me to think twice before interrupting a celebrity who is with family. Thanks Patricia!
I totally agree with you. I know that he sees himself as being a witness for Christ on the field and off, and I'm certain his kids understand his desire to influence others. Still, I imagine it would be terribly difficult for him to allow a fan interrupt one-on-one time with one of his kids just to get an autograph. There has to be a line somewhere. Maybe the responsibility for drawing that line rests with the fan just as much as with the celebrity.
For my own part, I know that reading the Warners' perspective on this will cause me to think twice before interrupting a celebrity who is with family. Thanks Patricia!
Great post Michael. My younger brother graduated from Notre Dame last year and as I was waiting in line to get in to the Arena, I passed Joe Montana. At first I walked past, but then went back to get a picture with him. He turned me down because he said he was there with his daughter. At first I felt rejected and kindof upset that one of the few people in the world that I would have even cared about taking a picture with just turned me down, but then I had a new found respect. It takes a lot to kindly turn someone down so that your family may enjoy you at such an occasion. Funny enough, we ended up in a line right in front of them and had to wait for about an hour to get in. Suffice it to say that I felt very awkward standing an arms length from a guy that had just turned down my request. At one point, my brother-in-law that was with me was standing in a perfect position to take a picture with Joe right over his shoulder, so I pretended to be taking a picture of him. Joe saw what I was doing and turned around. I've got a great picture of the back of his head if anyone cares to see it. That really didn't help the awkwardness and I felt like a total jerk for trying to take advantage. While we were waiting probably five others approached him and made the same request and he respectfully gave the same answer. I still wish I had that picture.