Running back Warrick Dunn is back in Tampa, after a five-year hiatus. And he’s already up to the same old stuff that he pulled during his first stint there.
He’s giving time and money to make the lives of less fortunate people better.
On Tuesday, three more single-parent families received assistance from Dunn in getting into a home of their own. In all, Dunn has helped 77 single-parent households makes down payments on fully-furnished homes.
He does it to honor his late mother, Betty Smothers, who was killed in 1993. “If anyone really knows me, and knows about my life, my mom was my best friend,” Dunn said. “She meant everything to me in this world. To be able to live out her legacy, I’m just really honored.”
(Editor’s note: We initially mentioned this item in a One-Liner on Wednesday afternoon. But because several members of PFT Planet commented that they’d like to see Dunn get more love on this site for his good works, we opted to make special mention of the item here. And as to anyone who thinks we don’t appreciate Dunn, also us to re-introduce you to the winner of the first PFT Joe Delaney Award.)
May 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
This guy is a true class act.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
May 7th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Warrick Dunn has always been a class act, and he’s always done it in a quiet and unassuming manner. I don’t know if his #’s are HOF material, but as a representative of the NFL, you couldn’t do much better.
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May 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
As a Panther fan, I can say that I’ve truely admired Dunn for his charity work and character during his career in the NFL even if it has been with the Bucs and Falcons. With people like vick and pacman in the league, it’s refreshing to see someone like Dunn and his character.
And I agree with the rest of the PFT planet in that we would also welcome more stories like this. I do want to know who the turds are in this league, but I’m sure there are others out there with children who would like to show their children who the real role models are.
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May 7th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Great story. Nice change of pace from all the stuff on the players who get into trouble for the wrong reasons. Nice to see someone getting into “trouble” for the right reasons.
If only every NFL player was as giving as Warrick Dunn, we wouldn’t need the Turd Watch meter anymore.
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May 7th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Report more of this kind of off field action. I know that it is out there.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 7th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Dunn is definately a role model for everyone (including NFL players). Also got to give credit to a guy who is only 180lbs and plays a position that probably takes the most beating for the period of time he’s been in the league.
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May 7th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Great story -can’t believe you caved to the comments Florio.
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
It’s nice to hear a feel-good story once in a while. Too bad there always overshadowed by the idiots of the NFL. Dunn is truly a class act and just one example of the many good guys in the NFL you never get to hear about, mostly because it’s not juicy enough to report.
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
says FreeMikeVick. Anyways regardless of his name hes right lol. I’m glad you guys decided to give this its own write up instead of a Weds morning one-liner. Dunn’s character is at the Hall of Fame level. Way to go Warrick!
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Also look into Edgerrin James’ work in the community if you guys are interested in class act football players
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I agree. Warrick Dunn makes a difference both on and off the field. He’s in a position to help and he does it. The world would be a better place with more Warrick Dunns.
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Usually you hear about professional athletes supporting 4 or 5 baby mamas, what Dunn is doing - helping carefully selected strangers - is real class. The world needs more guys like this.
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Good job, Florio….
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
It is really too bad more guys in the NFL aren’t this active in their communities (Chris Henry and Pacman listen up). I am not saying that there aren’t any other guys who do this, pretty much every guy in the NFL has a charity named after them and they contribute time and money to it. But Dunn truly cares about other people and he knows he ahs the resources to do it. Think of the problems that could be solved around these guys simply by taking a night off from making it rain and putting a roof over someone’s head.
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
ATTN: Chris Henry, Pacman Jones, Mike Vick, et al.
Pay attention.
Class dismissed.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 7th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Thank you, Warrick, on behalf of America.
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
As much as I love the turd watch, I’d love to see PFT also create a point system for the positive and good things players do. Perhaps it could be called the Dunn Tracker or the Delaney Tracker. I would find it interesting to see comparisons between teams and the good they do for their communities. Warrick Dunn has never played on a team I root for but his work needs to be broadcast at least as loud as the work of a Pacman Jones. Whattya say PFT? How about a little balance? Who knows, you might start a great competition…….
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 7th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Even after he left, he never quit doing this. He’d come back in the offseason just to do this.
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
That’s nice because he’s done and washed up as a RB; Mr. 3 yards per carry. And I’m a Bucs fan…
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May 7th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
@ patriot fan
I completely agree, they should have a counter for “Golden Nuggets” for guys who get written about for the charitable contributions they make.
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May 7th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Tampa should get Turd Credits rather than points for Dunn.
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May 7th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
warrick dunn just became one of my favorite nfl players. i wish more articles like this were posted on ESPN and other sites. its a shame the only bad publicity gets mentioned for athletes.
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May 7th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I love the “Denver Nuggets” add placed on the word nuggets for Golden Nuggets haha.
And good job Warrick Dunnnnnn. Keep it up. One true class act.
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May 8th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Even thought he’s a Nole, Warrick Dunn has always been one of my favorite Bucs players because of his charitable work.
Thanks for giving him some well-deserved props, PFT.
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May 8th, 2008 at 7:04 am
In a commercial, he jokingly calls Mike Alstott “Touchdown Vulture” when inducting him in the Fantasy Football Hall of Fame. Sadly, it’s those “stolen” TDs that may jeopardize his shot at getting a bust in Canton. He obviously and deservedly commands the respect of the league, his peers and this board.
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