PRIORITY SPORTS SPEAKERS
Game-changing voices, on and off the field.
Brenda Warner
New York Times Best-Selling Author
Veteran
Philanthropist
Notes:
Brenda Warner, wife of Kurt Warner and mother of seven children, is a speaker, philanthropist, New York Times best-selling author, registered nurse, and United States Marine.
She, alongside her husband, founded the First Things First Foundation, a non-profit public charity dedicated to impacting lives by promoting Christian values and blessing the lives of those less fortunate. In addition to the First Things First Foundation, they also started Treasure House, a supportive living community for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities inspired by their son Zachary. She serves as the creative catalyst for most of the foundation programs and generates ideas based on her personal life experiences.
The film, American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story, displays the vital role that Brenda has played throughout the life of her husband and all the obstacles he faced in his career.
Books: First Things First, One Call Away
Testimonials: “She did awesome!!! She was so fun, engaging, and inspiring!!! I received so much positive feedback…it was exactly what we were hoping for!! “ – Evolus
Topics: Art, Disabilities, Faith, Family, Military, Motherhood, Nursing, Perseverance, Philanthropy, Writer
Links: Evolus Interview (2022), American Underdog Movie Trailer (2021), Kurt & Brenda People Magazine Feature (2021), Players’ Tribune “Long Live Love with Kurt Warner” (2018), Building Treasure House (2018), Women of Faith (2011)
Gordon Hayward
Retired NBA Player
Executive Basketball Advisor at Butler University
College: Butler University
Accolades:
NBA All-Star (2017) | Horizon League Player of the Year (2010) | FIBA U-19 Gold Medalist (2009)
Notes:
Gordon Hayward is an NBA All-Star who recently retired from the NBA after a 14-year career.
He went to Butler University, where he led the Bulldogs to the 2010 NCAA Championship game and became a household name for his clutch performances and all-around skill.
He was drafted ninth overall by the Utah Jazz in 2010 and developed into an NBA All-Star.
In 2017, he was traded to the Boston Celtics and immediately suffered a gruesome injury that sidelined him for a whole year. After battling through an extensive recovery, Hayward got back on the court and continued to be a reliable scorer, playmaker and teammate.
He played for the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder before retiring at the end of the 2024 season. recognized for his professionalism, leadership, and balanced game on both ends of the court.
He and his wife, Robyn, have four kids, three girls and one boy. They went viral in 2018 for a gender reveal video where Gordon found out he was having his third girl, famously saying “Daddy’s always happy.”
He is Catholic and has put his faith prominently in his life since retiring.
Topics: Faith, Family, Motivation, Perseverance, Recovery, Teamwork
Links: “Daddy’s always happy” gender reveal video (2018),, Gordon Hayward Opens Up on Retiring From the NBA, Why He Didn’t Sign with the Heat, & NBA Trash Talk (2024), Gordon and his faith
Kurt Warner
National Football Hall of Fame Quarterback
Retired NFL Player
Current NFL Network & Westwood One Analyst
College: University of Northern Iowa
Accolades:
Super Bowl Champion (XXXIV) | Super Bowl MVP (XXXIV) | 2× NFL Most Valuable Player (1999, 2001) | Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2008) | 2× First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001) | 4× Pro Bowl (1999–2001, 2008) | 2× NFL Passing Touchdowns
Leader (1999, 2001) | 3× NFL Completion Percentage Leader (1999–2001) | 2× NFL Passer Rating Leader (1999, 2001) | NFL Passing Yards Leader (2001) | Bert Bell Award (1999) | Bart Starr Award (2010) | Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
Notes:
Kurt Warner, though undrafted, had an incredible NFL career. He led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory, was named Super Bowl MVP, won NFL MVP in back-to-back seasons, was a 2x First-team All-Pro, and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times.
He joined Westwood One’s broadcast booth full-time in 2018 as the Lead Color Analyst for both Monday Night Football and the Super Bowl.
His success carries over from the gridiron as he is extremely dedicated to giving back to the community. As a man of his faith, Kurt and his wife Brenda, established the First Things First Foundation, a non-profit public charity dedicated to impacting lives by promoting Christian values and blessing the lives of those less fortunate. Kurt and Brenda, inspired by their son Zachary, also started Treasure House, a supportive living community for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
His philanthropy efforts earned him the 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the 2008 Good Guy Award from the Pro Football Writers Association, USA WEEKEND’s Most Caring Athlete in 2009, and the 2010 Bart Starr Award. Inspired by the galvanizing story of Kurt’s life and how he overcame several obstacles in his career, the movie, American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story, debuted in theaters on December 25th, 2021.
Books: First Things First, All Things Possible
Topics: Athletes, Broadcasting, Disabilities, Faith, Family, Leadership, Motivation, Perseverance, Teamwork
Links: American Underdog Movie Trailer (2021), A Profile in Character – Moderated Q&A (2022), Players’ Tribune “Player Evolution” (2019), HOF Speech (2017), NFL Films The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players (2010)
