Home Is Where the Heart Is for #20 Varner
April 29, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - Twenty-odd years ago, he was leaping over couches in his living room, scrambling past an older brother and sisters, to catch the mini-footballs his dad would casually toss their way.
Twenty years later, the living room couches are now arena walls, his brother and sisters have been replaced by 6-3, 225, wide receivers, and his dad has left the passing game up to professional quarterbacks that have more on-the-line than the worries a simple game of catch can bring.
Over the past twenty odd years, Tanner has grown from a valued son and brother of the Varner family, to a valued all-pro defensive back in the secondary of the Philadelphia Soul. After twenty years of delivering hits, intercepting passes, and earning countless football related achievements, Varner credits his personal success to the support of his family.
"My brother and sisters have always been there for me and my parents are the type of people that are willing to do anything for you," said Varner. "My siblings always pushed me to do better with our interest in sports through high school and college, and my family as a whole was always there to support me every step of the way."
A successful supporting cast at home has always been important to Varner as he now builds onto his family, engaged to fiancée Lauren Elizabeth Conway, with a wedding date set in September, and eleven-month old daughter Mia Elizabeth.
The place that Varner has always called 'home' is the mid-west state of Iowa. He was a multi-sport athlete at Ottumwa High School, attended Ellsworth Community College for two years, then transferred to the University of Northern Iowa, where he recorded 85.5 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, and three interceptions during his senior campaign. He was awarded with First-Team All-American, All-Gateway Conference, and team Defensive MVP honors that season.
After finishing college, Varner received minimal interest in the National Football League Draft despite wanting to continue his football career. Varner then received support from another 'family' member, with this particular 'family' being his alma mater. John Gregory, the Panthers head football coach from 1957-62, and 2003 Northern Iowa Hall of Fame inductee, gave Varner an opportunity to prove that he is capable of playing on a professional level.
"Coach Gregory saw what I could bring to a team while I was at UNI, so he introduced me to Arena Football when he brought me on to play for him in Arkansas with the Twisters of the af2," said Varner.
Gregory has proven to have an eye for talent, and Varner was no exception. Gregory also recruited Kurt Warner, former quarterback of the Iowa Barnstormers and Super Bowl XXIV MVP of the NFL St. Louis Rams, and Aaron Garcia, a 17-year AFL veteran quarterback.
With the Twisters, Varner recorded 83.5 tackles and led the team with nine interceptions while being named an All-League Defensive Back. When Des Moines, IA was granted an af2 team, the Barnstormers, in 2008, Varner joined Gregory to return to his home state.
"To play in front of my family and friends again, on a pro-level, was something special. It was great having them there, and even now in Philly, it's great to know I have them back home supporting me," said Varner.
Varner led the Barnstormers in tackles in 2008 and 2009, before the team was promoted to the AFL in 2010. That season, Varner led the league with 129.5 tackles and 113 solo tackles, and also added eight interceptions as he was named the Barnstormers' Defensive MVP and First-Team All-Arena.
Following the season, Varner decided to take his talents to Philadelphia, where after six games of action he leads the team in tackles with 37.0 and four interceptions, and has also added four pass break ups, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick.
This Saturday, April 30, Varner and the Soul are traveling to Iowa, to take on the Barnstormers, to again have the opportunity to play in front of his family, friends, and now fiancée and daughter. He will also be facing his former coach, Gregory, teammates, and Iowa fans.
"I'm excited to head back to Iowa, against a team I know very well, and crazy fans that I'm hoping won't give me too hard of a time," said Varner. "I still know most of the guys on that team. One of them is going to be in my wedding in September, so it's going to be pretty fun."
No. 20's current focus is on football, the team, and patrolling the secondary of the Soul, but sees himself one-day patrolling a city, as a policeman.
"I'd like to get into criminal justice and become an officer in a place like Florida, where it's warmer and I can enjoy plenty of football year-round," said Varner.
Whether it's jumping on couches twenty years ago, tackling receivers now, or making a city safer in the future, Varner will never lose focus of the importance of his family, friends, and all who have supported him along the way.
"I know they're willing to do anything to help me get where I want to be," said Varner. "I just try to do the best I can on and off the field to show them how much they mean to me."
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- Home Is Where the Heart Is for #20 Varner - Philadelphia Soul
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