Warrick Dunn

From rookie of the year to Falcons minority owner, Warrick Dunn's legacy runs deep.

via Wikipedia: Warrick Dunn · see source

Warrick De'Mon Dunn (born January 5, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL draft, after playing college football for the Florida State Seminoles. Dunn was named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1997 and earned three Pro Bowl selections in his career. After his playing career, Dunn took a minority stake in the Falcons' ownership group led by Arthur Blank.

Quick Facts

Position: Running back
Born: 5 January 1975
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
High school: Catholic (Baton Rouge)
College: Florida State (1993–1996)
Draft year: 1997
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 12

Lore & Background

Dunn's jersey, along with those of other Seminoles players such as Fred Biletnikoff, Ron Sellers, Ron Simmons, Charlie Ward, Deion Sanders, and Chris Weinke, has been retired by the university. His number (28) may still be worn by Seminole players, but his jersey will be displayed in the Moore Athletic Center at FSU.

Reader's Guide

Dunn established the Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) program in 1997, and started Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) in 2002. The HFTH program rewards single-parent families for reaching first-time homeownership. As of July 2012, HFTH has assisted over 150 single parents and over 300 dependents in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Tampa and Tallahassee. In 2006, one of those homes went to the family of future NFL player Deshaun Watson. Dunn received a Giant Steps Award from former President Bill Clinton, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2005, the 2009 Bart Starr Award, and a Jefferson Award for Outstanding Athlete in Service and Philanthropy in 2011. In 2007, he co-founded Athletes for Hope. His 2008 autobiography is titled 'Running For My Life'.

Did You Know?

He earned three Pro Bowl selections (1997, 2000, 2005).
Dunn's mother, a Baton Rouge police officer, was murdered two days after his 18th birthday.
He later met with one of his mother's killers and offered his forgiveness.
Dunn won a national championship with Florida State in 1993.