It is well-known that Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner is an evangelical Christian who is outspoken about his beliefs. After winning Super Bowl XXXIV to cap off a Cinderella season that thrust him into the national limelight, Warner famously shouted “Thank you, Jesus!” in the post-game interview. He is involved with a number of Christian-based and conservative organizations and spends much of his free time proselytizing and making motivational speeches regarding his religious beliefs.

Now retired from the NFL, Warner is an analyst for NFL Network. During a live TV segment on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Warner discussed the “evolution” of Big Ben and his ability to adapt to different defensive schemes. Warner framed the entire segment around his belief that the Theory of Evolution is a myth and how he doesn’t believe that species can evolve into other species. Deadspin has video of the TV segment here.

After Warner’s piece aired, the former QB started taking a lot of heat on Twitter. Against better judgement, Warner engaged a number of critics on the social media platform, responding to the insults that came his way. As one would expect, this didn’t go well for him, considering he essentially voiced his belief in Creationism on air.

@MercerCreed @nflnetwork Haha, c’mon man that was good… And not sure that is actually science more than a theory??? � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

@blastertheburro c’mon, really? Plus I said I’m not buying it… Still waiting to see a monkey become human in my lifetime? You? � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

@MrMikeMasters Really? What evidence do u see today of one species becoming another – even so, it was a fun fball piece, RELAX! � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

@gkhndnc9000 just waiting 2 c it on my watch! Didn’t say don’t believe in evolution just not the kind I was taught at times, ok 2 disagree! � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

@pablogoldstein @blastertheburro ppl I know, it was simply a play for the “evolution” of BigBen – wasn’t trying to teach science! � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

@WhosDownWithPDT that’s what I thought, just not species to species I said… � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

@TampaPhil That was a joke… Man, thought this was fun, but always just leads to hate/anger! � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

@WaywardWaffles That is what I was saying I didn’t buy… But again a 2min fball piece that was intended to explain evolution! And thanks � Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 9, 2014

In the end, it would have just been best for all involved if Kurt didn’t do the piece. It resulted in him having to deal with a number of people blasting him on Twitter. Worse yet, he tried to engage them in a discussion about evolution, religion and his beliefs, and it wasn’t a good look for either him or the network. He was put in a bad position by NFL Network as they placed him out there to do a segment that would play on his personal beliefs. It was an unfortunate mixture of religion, science, politics and football that obviously did not sit well with a lot of people.