Warrick Dunn

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

At Catholic High in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dunn played quarterback, cornerback, and running back. During his sophomore year, he helped lead Catholic High to the state 4A championship game for the first time in its history. He was an All-America honorable mention selection by USA Today as a senior. On January 7, 1993, two days after Dunn's eighteenth birthday, his mother, Betty Smothers, a Baton Rouge police officer, was murdered while working an off-duty security job. Dunn became the head of his family and raised his siblings. He later met with one of his mother's killers, Kevan Brumfield, and offered his forgiveness. Dunn played college football at Florida State University, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards in 3 straight seasons. He graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in information studies. He was a three-time All-ACC selection. 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. He also won a national championship in 1993 with Florida State. Dunn was also an accomplished track and field star, named as an Associated Press All-American as a member of Florida State's men's 4 × 100 m relay team. Dunn competed on the Seminoles' track & field team as a sprinter during all four years he was enrolled at Florida State. His personal best in the 100 meters is 10.3 seconds.

In Their Own Story

In 2005, Dunn achieved another milestone by earning his third Pro Bowl selection after leading the Falcons in rushing again. His versatility was showcased during the 2007 season when starting quarterback Byron Leftwich suffered a high ankle sprain; Dunn stepped up as the emergency third-string quarterback behind Joey Harrington and Chris Redman. However, his time with Atlanta concluded on March 3, 2008, when the Falcons released him at his request, one day after signing Michael Turner. Even before leaving the field, Dunn had already cemented his legacy off it. In December 2009, he returned to the organization not as a player, but as a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons, completing a full-circle journey from the grieving son who raised his siblings to a leader shaping the team's future.

Reader's Guide

Dunn was selected in the first round of the 1997 NFL draft with the 12th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dunn had a highly successful rookie season, was selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team, and named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. Dunn spent the next four years of his career in Tampa Bay, and was again named to the Pro Bowl in 2000. In game 13 of that season, he had a career-best 210 yards rushing against the Dallas Cowboys (then, 2nd most in franchise history). A free agent in the 2002 offseason, Dunn signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Once again, he made a positive impact on his team with 9 total TDs and in that year, he led the league with a 5.4 yards per carry average. Dunn scored the most rushing touchdowns in his career, 9, in the 2004 season despite splitting carries with T.J. Duckett and also led the team in rushing with 1,106 yards. Having led his team in rushing yards again in 2005, Dunn was named the NFC's Pro Bowl team, marking his third selection to the team. For his career, Dunn has only missed 10 games and has a total of 2,256 carries for 9,461 yards 43 touchdowns and a 4.2 average. Dunn finished his first 10 seasons with at least 1,000 combined rushing and receiving yards per season. During the 2007 season, with Falcons starting quarterback Byron Leftwich out with a high ankle sprain, Dunn served as the third string emergency quarterback behind Joey Harrington and Chris Redman, a position he played in high school. On March 3, 2008, the Falcons released Dunn per his request. This came a day after the Falcons signed former San Diego Chargers backup running back Michael Turner. On December 17, 2009, he became a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. On March 10, 2008, Dunn returned to the Buccaneers after signing a two-year, $6 million contract. In week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, Dunn had his first 100-yard game since re-joining the Buccaneers. Dunn was released by the Buccaneers on February 25, 2009. He retired from the NFL 14th all-time in all-purpose yards with 15,306 (20th As of 2020) and 19th in rushing yards with 10,967 (23rd As of 2020).

Did You Know?

• Dunn was named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1997.
• He earned three Pro Bowl selections (1997, 2000, 2005).
• Dunn won a national championship with Florida State in 1993.
• He established the Homes for the Holidays program in 1997.
• Dunn was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2004.