Warrick Dunn – Building more than a legacy!

By Steve O’Reilly

Very few people have affected others in the way that Warrick Dunn has. His generosity is legendary and now it’s time to shine some light on all he has been through, all he has done and what he continues to do.

Warrick grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he went to high school at Catholic High. In those years his athletic ability was evident as he played multiple positions including Quarterback, Runningback and Cornerback. As a sophmore, he led his school to a Division 4A State Championship and in his senior year was an honorable mention for the USA Today All American team.

Warrick had some great moments on the field and on January 5th, 1993 he turned 18. Two days later disaster struck. On January 7, 1993 his mother Betty Smothers was fatally gunned down while escorting a woman to her job at a bank. Mrs. Smothers was off duty at the time and she left Warrick and his siblings way too soon. Warrick was left with the responsibility of caretaker for his 5 brothers and sisters, he stood up and took on the role.

While taking on the heartache, the role of a parent and the responsibilities of College student at Florida State, Warrick stood tall. He succeeded tremendously at everything. While at FSU he set many school records, he was the only player in school history to rush for over 1000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons. He was named to the All ACC team 3 times during his time as FSU. His number 28 jersey has been displayed at the Moore Athletic Center at the University. Warrick also was named to the AP All American team in Track and Field for his success in the 4×100m relay. Dunn graduated FSU in 1997 with a degree in Information Studies.

After college he was selected 12th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and during his rookie campaign he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year and was elected to the NFC Pro Bowl. The running back was indeed off and running. He later made the Pro Bowl again with the Bucs in 2000.

In the offseason of the 2002 season, Warrick was off to the Atlanta Falcons, later that year Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl. With Atlanta, Dunn continued to shine. He was elected the NFC Pro Bowl starting Running Back after a great season in which he ran for 1416 yards and started all 16 games for the Falcons. After the 2007 season his time with the Falcons was over, he returned to the Bucs where he played one season in 2008.

It’s clear that Warrick is a man who overcame tragedy in his youth and he continued to carry on and blossomed as a football player. What many may not know is that Dunn has accomplished so much off the field. He started the Warrick Dunn Foundation and the Homes for the Holidays program where Warrick and his charities assist single parents and their families become home owners. To this date Dunn has assisted 86 single parents and 233 of their dependents own a home. This excerp is from his website…WarrickDunnFoundation.org -

The Warrick Dunn Foundation’s mission is dedicated to providing opportunities for economically-disadvantaged single parents and their children who have demonstrated a commitment to achieve financial independence and stability.

Through the program, Dunn provides the down payment on a home selected by a single parent associated with an approved, non-profit, affordable homeownership program.

Recipients are qualified through the non-profit programs and must complete all requirements to be eligible for consideration.

The Foundation, through its title sponsor Prudential Tropical Realty, and its in-kind sponsor, Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership, also provides:

Furniture for every room	Kitchen appliances & dishes
Washers, dryers & refrigerators	Lawn & garden equipment
Linens	Fully-stocked kitchen
Cleaning supplies	Home decor items.

To date, Dunn has assisted 86 single parents and 233 dependents.

1. 36 mothers and 97 children in Tampa, Fla.
2. 25 mothers and 74 children & dependents in Baton Rouge, La.
3. 24 mothers and 58 children & dependents in Atlanta, Ga.
4. One father and four children in Tallahassee, Fla.

The program was expanded in 1998 to include families in Baton Rouge, La., where Dunn grew up

In 2002, St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda began a partnership with the Warrick Dunn Foundation in St. Louis. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shelton Quarles and wife Damaris assisted in Tampa in 2004 and 2005. Quarles expanded the program in 2005 to his hometown of Nashville.

In 2007 the Homes for the Holidays program expanded to include families in Tallahassee, Fl., where Dunn attended college at The Florida State University.

After learning all that Dunn has accomplished, it’s hard not to wonder how a man who stands 5′9″ can have a heart so big.

 Before you go, we want to leave you with a letter that Warrick wrote and has posted on his website…his words are better than mine.

Welcome to my Foundation Web site and thank you for taking an interest in my charitable activities. Growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I was blessed to have people in my life who taught me the importance of helping others in need.

I did not grow up with many material things, but I was surrounded by the love of my family, friends and coaches. My mother worked overtime to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. Although we did not have much, she taught me how to give of myself and to be generous to those in need.

Walking down the street you will see common, everyday people going about their daily lives, working hard to make ends meet. Look closer and you will see their hardships and responsibilities.

…the mother on the street holding her toddler in one arm as she waits for the city bus so she can take her child to daycare and then go to work.

…the lady at the grocery store check–out counter with three kids in tow having to put items back because she just does not have enough money to cover the bill.

Look even closer and you will see the pride in their eyes that they are doing everything they can to provide for their children. These are the people I feel most compelled to help. The Warrick Dunn Foundation strives to help those who are helping themselves. I learned a long time ago that you cannot be all things to all people. However, each of us can do our part to help in some small way to make our community a better place to live. As a result of growing up in a single-parent household, I have focused my charitable efforts on helping single parent families obtain first-time homeownership. I believe that homeownership is the foundation for establishing a stable and productive family environment, an environment in which children can thrive educationally, socially and economically.

Sincerely,
Warrick Dunn

This is a man that anyone would be proud to follow…hat’s off to Warrick Dunn!