This is Warrick Dunn. His mom was a police officer in Baton Rouge and was shot when he was in high school. The beginning. Warrick Dunn. His mom—police officer. In Baton Rouge. Shot. Killed. When Warrick was in high school. Losing his mother to violence. To the dangers of her job. When he was still a teenager.
After losing her, he raised his five younger siblings while going to college. The responsibility. After his mom died. Warrick—still in high school, then college—raised his five younger siblings. Five. Not one or two. Five younger siblings. While going to college. Taking on parental role. Making sure his siblings were cared for while pursuing his own education.
He later made it to the NFL and used his money to build and pay for over 145 homes for single mothers, giving up millions just to help them live better lives. The legacy. Made it to NFL. Professional football. Made money. And used that money—gave up millions—to build and pay for over 145 homes. For single mothers. Not for himself. Not for luxury. But for single mothers who needed homes. Giving up millions. Sacrificing his own wealth. Just to help them live better lives.
This is Warrick Dunn. The man. Not just NFL player. But the man who lost his police officer mom. Who raised five siblings. Who made it to NFL. Who gave up millions to build 145 homes for single mothers.
His mom was a police officer in Baton Rouge and was shot when he was in high school. The tragedy. His mother. Police officer. Serving in Baton Rouge. Shot. In the line of duty probably. Killed. When Warrick was in high school. Teenage son losing his mother to gun violence. To the dangers of police work.
After losing her, he raised his five younger siblings while going to college. The responsibility that followed. After losing his mom. Warrick could have fallen apart. Could have given up. Instead he raised his five younger siblings. Became their parent. While going to college. Managing school and parenting. Making sure his siblings were taken care of. Making sure they had what they needed. Being both brother and father.
He later made it to the NFL. The achievement. Despite raising five siblings. Despite losing his mom in high school. Made it to college. Made it to NFL. Professional football player. Success. Money. Achievement.
And used his money to build and pay for over 145 homes for single mothers. The purpose. Could have spent NFL money on himself. On luxury. On wealth accumulation. Instead used his money to build and pay for homes. Over 145 homes. For single mothers. Women like his mom probably was. Single mothers who needed housing. Who needed help. Who needed someone to see them and provide for them.
Giving up millions just to help them live better lives. The sacrifice. Not just donating some money. Giving up millions. Plural. Sacrificing his own wealth. His own financial security. Just to help single mothers live better lives. To give them homes. To give them stability. To honor his mom probably. To make sure other single mothers got the help his mom deserved.
The photograph shows Warrick Dunn—professional portrait. NFL player. The man who lost his mom. Who raised five siblings. Who made it to NFL. Who gave up millions to build 145 homes for single mothers. Not for recognition. Not for publicity. Just to help them live better lives.