Who: Falcons running back Warrick Dunn
What: NFC divisional playoff game, Rams vs. Falcons
When: Jan. 15, 2005
Where: Georgia Dome
Score: Falcons 47, Rams 17
What happened: Dunn's record-breaking run starts Falcons on their way to a romp.
The Falcons scored a touchdown three minutes into the game, and the Rams needed a little more than two minutes to tie the score at 7-7, on Marc Bulger’s 57-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Curtis.
That quieted the rowdy Georgia Dome crowd, but only for a bit. Four plays later Dunn ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run that set the franchise playoff record for longest run and gave the Falcons the lead for good.
“I knew because of the way we practiced that week, it was going to be a big night for us overall,” Dunn said. “Because of the atmosphere at the dome, guys were really just geeked and keen, and things just opened up with ease. It really was just one of those nights.”
Dunn added a 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He finished with 113 yards rushing — another Falcons playoff record — even though he ended with only 17 carries as the Falcons eased to victory.
“I think of all the things I could have done, like ‘Why did you take me out of the game?’” Dunn said, laughing. “I could have done more. I remember having 100 yards in the first quarter. We set the tone early. Once got the crowd in it, it was over.
“We tried to make a statement. It was fun. It’s hard to even describe it. It was just like, ‘Damn, we’ve got to run them out of the dome.’”
Where is he now: Dunn lives in metro Atlanta. He's part of the Falcons' ownership group and said he's on track to receive an MBA from Emory in May.
Through Warrick Dunn Charities (www.wdc.org), Dunn supports Homes for the Holidays for single parents working toward first-time home ownership and the Betty’s Hope grief-support program for children.
About the Author
