Warrick Dunn has always been more than just a football player. On the field, he was a dynamic running back who made defenders miss and moved the chains with quiet consistency. Off the field, he’s built a legacy that’s arguably even more impactful - and this week, that legacy reached a remarkable milestone.
On Tuesday, Dunn and his non-profit, Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC), handed over the keys to a fully-furnished home to a single mother and her children in metro Atlanta. It wasn’t just any home. It was the 250th house delivered through WDC’s “Home for the Holidays” program - a 28-year tradition that’s helped turn the dream of homeownership into reality for hundreds of families.
The program, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, focuses on helping single parents become first-time homeowners. Habitat builds and finances the homes, while Dunn’s organization steps in to furnish them - with a big assist from Aaron’s, which provides the furniture and appliances that make a house feel like home.
But the support doesn’t stop there. This mother also received a $5,000 down-payment assistance grant, thanks to additional help from philanthropist Ryan Jumonville. It’s the kind of financial boost that can help a family start strong in their new chapter.
And this wasn’t just a quiet handoff. The moment was shared with the community - including current Falcons safety Jesse Bates III, who showed up to support Dunn’s mission and witness the impact firsthand.
For Dunn, this isn’t a one-off gesture. It’s a continuation of a deeply personal mission.
After losing his own mother, a Baton Rouge police officer, when he was just 18, Dunn stepped into a parental role for his younger siblings. That experience shaped his understanding of the challenges single parents face - and it’s been the driving force behind his charitable work ever since.
Now, nearly three decades later, “Home for the Holidays” has become more than a program. It’s a symbol of what can happen when athletes use their platform to create lasting change. With 250 homes delivered - and countless lives touched - Dunn’s legacy is cemented not just in Falcons history, but in the hearts of families across the country.
And with each new set of keys handed over, he proves that giving back is more than a gesture - it’s a game plan that wins every time.