The Atlanta Falcons have partnered with Truist for a new weekly series designed to help fans get to know the limited partners of the franchise.
Over the next 11 weeks, AtlantaFalcons.com will publish a Q&A with one of the 11 limited partners of the Atlanta Falcons. In these discussions, the limited partners share advice for navigating the world of business, their favorite Atlanta Falcons memories and so much more.
This week, Warrick Dunn shares his answers.
Warrick Dunn
Dunn played running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons during his 12-year NFL career. Originally selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft, Dunn earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and was named to three Pro Bowls in his career. In six seasons with Atlanta, Dunn rushed for nearly 6,000 yards and was inducted into the organization's Ring of Honor in 2017. Dunn founded his Homes for the Holidays initiative to honor his mother, a police officer who was killed in the line of duty when Dunn was 18. The initiative helps single-parent families fulfill the dream of home ownership. For his tremendous play on the field and impact off of it, Dunn was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2005.
What is your favorite Atlanta Falcons-related memory?
I am lucky to have so many that it's impossible to name just one, but when I think back, they all center around community building and trying to be actively engaged in a city I love. Memories for me are the ones where we made a difference in the community as a member of a team.
When you look back at your career, what is something that makes you the most proud?
What makes me most proud is that I went on the field every day and gave my all for my teammates. When I played, it was for my teammates and the city of Atlanta. I was and still am proud to represent the team and this great city.
Can you briefly describe any philanthropic passions you have?
I am passionate about helping people who help themselves. Through my philanthropic work at Warrick Dunn Charities, single parents who are first-time homebuyers are rewarded for their self-reliance, and we support them with wraparound programming to achieve healthy bodies, healthy minds and healthy lives. Through WD Communities, we build workforce housing to help families build generational wealth, and I believe that starts with owning a home.
What's the best business advice you've ever received?
As a professional athlete, retirement comes at an early age. Mr. Blank encouraged me to think ahead and think big while I was still playing. Our conversations about life really made me think about my next step after retirement. It felt very similar to the planning I had done as a young man to keep my family together after losing our mom. I believe we all have people in our lives who are there to help us and when we listen to and heed their advice, we grow in ways we didn't know we could. So, when the day came that Mr. Blank invited me to become a limited partner, I accepted the offer.
Who have been your biggest personal and professional influences?
My mom was my best friend. She and my grandmother, auntie and great-grandmother were big influences in my life growing up. Since I didn't have a father in the house, I didn't have the influence of a positive male role model, but I met my pops, Malean "Choo Choo" Brooks playing Pee Wee football when I was nine years old. He became my father figure because he believed in me and my abilities. He taught me how to be strong and humble. After losing my mom at 18, I still had my grandmother and my family around, but I realized I was missing the balance of a mother and a father figure, so I leaned on Choo even more. He taught me to remember we are all human and we all make mistakes. When we are young, we get mad when life happens and sometimes, we choose to blame others. Choo taught me that when we experience bumps in road, it's important to stay true to our core values. He was a man of faith, and I believe God put him and others in my life to help guide me, identify my purpose and keep me on track.
In college, I met [Florida State quarterback] Charlie Ward and got to room with him my freshman year. Charlie was someone who supported me, someone around my age who stepped up to listen, and he didn't judge me. He helped set the foundation for the next few years and was someone I could communicate with honestly. I had so many emotions being away from my family right after my mom was killed, and Charlie really taught me and modeled for me how important it was to support each other as teammates.
Coach Bowden also played a vital role early on for me, and his influence shaped my development not only as a player but as a man. He talked to me about being a dad, the importance of having work/life balance and to put family first.
Once I signed with Tampa Bay, Coach Dungy became a strong influence in my life. His leadership style is all about life, not just the game of football. He taught us to take care of each other and the community, remembering that we need to think of others more than we do ourselves.
Mr. Blank has become a second father figure to me. He is someone who echoes what I've been taught, that life is about community. He's become a mentor and has helped me learn and grow as a business owner and philanthropist, as well as a man. I'm grateful for his guidance, love and support.
Who is your favorite player (Falcons or otherwise) of all time?
Hands down, my favorite player of all time is Tony Dorsett. He was my idol growing up, and I wanted to be like him!
