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Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Warrick Dunn takes the stage for charity
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Photos by Curtis Compton
Warrick Dunn, the Buccaneer-turned-Falcon-turned-Buccaneer, was back in the town he prefers Monday night.
“Atlanta’s like a mini New York and L.A. rolled into one,” Dunn said at the reception prior to his foundation’s annual fashion show at the Buckhead Westin.
“I miss the restaurants” in Atlanta, the once and present Tampa Bay Buccaneer running back said.
He’s received a warm welcome back from the Bucs, though.
“They’ve really accepted me,” he said. “The guys in the front office have done a great job making me feel like I never left.”
Dunn, whose foundation has provided homes for 78 single-parent homes and 205 dependents and children since 1997, starred as usual in his show. So did a few of his past and present teammates.
Falcons defensive end Jonathan Babineaux, shown below in blue, seemed made for the stage.
“Some guys like to lay low, some like to be real flashy,” he said at the pre-party. “I’m kind of in between.”
He displayed his sense of style on his wrist, with a white and canary-colored diamond bracelet with a bold masculine design. It was a gift from his brother, Seattle Seahawks player Jordan Babineaux
Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran, a fixture at Dunn’s charitable events over the years, was ready to model again. (He was hoping to avoid wearing another fur coat down the runway. No dice.)
Sidelined for two years with injuries, Finneran had hoped to play with Dunn again.
“Now I get to play against him,” he said.
Falcons defensive back Lawyer Milloy was at the party, but didn’t participate in the fashion show.
“I’m not pretty enough,” he joked.
But he is a fashion-forward kind of guy, always keen to coordinate.
“I like to match,” he said. “If I’m wearing black shoes, I’m wearing black underwear.”
(Yes, that’s really what he said.)
Milloy did turn heads - well, this one at least - with his dazzling 3-ct. diamond stud earrings.
“You can’t have them,” he chided.
Before the show, Mayor Shirley Franklin took the stage to welcome Dunn back to Atlanta and salute the good work he’s done. His foundation works with families here, in Tampa Bay, in Dunn’s native Baton Rouge, La. and in Tallahassee, where he went to school at Florida State University.
“This is the kind of role model we need,” Franklin said. “A great guy, giving back to the community. We love you in Atlanta. You can come back any time.”
Dunn’s foundation was inspired by his mother’s untimely death. Betty Smothers was a Baton Rouge police officer shot in the line of duty.
“My mom died almost 15 years ago,” Dunn said. “I’ve had the opportunity and blessing to have other people live her dream for me.”
