Kitna's miracle journey began with a 12-inch growth spurt between his 14th and 15th birthdays, transforming him from the smallest in his class to one of the tallest by his sophomore year. Suddenly, at 6-foot-2, Kitna found he had the height to go along with the grit it would take to play high school football. But Kitna wouldn't start at quarterback until his senior year, leading Lincoln High of Tacoma, Wash., to a 6-3 record that included a come-from-behind 43-40, triple-overtime victory. At one time, Lincoln trailed 30-8.Kitna earned all-league honors but no college scholarship. A University of Washington coach called, but that was only to inquire about Kitna's teammate, LawyerMilloy, now a starting safety for the New England Patriots. Washington State also showed little interest.

Overlooked, Kitna walked on at Central Washington University, then an NAIA school that didn't offer scholarships. On his first day of practice, he figured he was 12th string with little chance of ever playing. The quarterback coach didn't even know Kitna's name. So this kid with an attitude ("I was real cocky."), earring and buzz haircut, stood on the sidelines, helmet under his arm, waiting for a chance. If anyone ever had a reason to quit, it was Kitna. But few are so determined as this kid who grew up in a rough part of Tacoma, where gangs were always recruiting. But Kitna was always in his backyard shooting baskets or throwing passes with his best friend, E.J. Henderson, who always seemed to be half a foot or so taller. Sports became their focus, their escape. They weren't interested in gangs. Rather than quit at Central, Kitna stuck it out, determined to prove everyone wrong. After redshirting, he won the starting spot the following year. In his senior year, he led the Wildcats to the 1995 NAIA national championship and earned first-team All-America honors. Starting 42 of the final 43 games of his college career, he set 72 school, league and national passing records.

However, escaping 265-pound defensive linemen and threading passes through a zone defense weren't Kitna's only challenges. There was also an inner struggle, one that took him down and nearly landed him in jail. Before Kitna became the Seahawks' leader who inspires teammates with his gritty determination, before he became the running, throwing quarterback with the strong arm and quick feet, before he became the surprise of the NFL, his life was spinning out of control. During his first two years of college, Kitna drank until he'd black out, or he drank until he was stumbling drunk —sometimes partying several days in a row. He'd drive home and not remember how he got there. He began shoplifting, stealing food, clothes, and bikes — and then selling them. Eventually, he was arrested for petty theft. He hit his lowest point in Oct., 1993, when his girlfriend, Jennifer, caught him with another girl.

Kitna spent a year on the practice squad and was then sent to the NFL's minor leagues, the World League (now called NFL Europe). He wasn't supposed to start for the Barcelona Dragons, but he beat out hot-shot quarterback Stoney Case out of New Mexico and ended up leading his team to victory in the 1997 World Bowl. He passed for a World Bowl record 402 yards in leading the Dragons past the Rhein Fire 38-24. The scrambling underdog had come out on top again. Last year, he still seemed a long way from the field, listed behind Moon and Friesz on the depth chart. But Kitna climbed into the driver's seat — starting the final five games.Kitna, despite his inexperience, has gained the respect of his teammates.It's been an unlikely journey. From overlooked high-schooler to NFL starter. Kitna says there's only one explanation for his climb to the top of football.