Atlanta may be Warrick Dunn’s primary residence now, but Tallahassee remains just as meaningful a place he proudly calls home.
That enduring connection is why the former Florida State and NFL running back — widely respected for his lasting impact through affordable housing initiatives for single mothers — returned to Tallahassee on Saturday, June 27.
Through its SCULPT Brand of Health & Wellness, Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc. hosted “Plant Your Path to Wellness,” a free, community-focused event at the Lawrence-Gregory Community Center aimed at helping individuals and families build healthier, more stable lives.
“This is home,” Dunn, 51, told The Tallahassee Democrat. “Being here in Tallahassee, it’s home. Always feel comfortable, safe. I feel like this is an environment that I am always supported in. Definitely, when I came here in 1993 after losing my mom, I just feel like the city wrapped their arms around me and really showed me they cared about each other.
“To come back here to help other individuals, other families live a fruitful life long term, help create memories. I don’t want kids to go through what I went through. I want to be able to help people help themselves as well. I did my part back then. I am on that same path of wanting families to help themselves. Tallahassee is home.”
Tallahassee return a ‘full-circle moment’ for Charlie Ward, Warrick Dunn
The scheduled five-hour event brought together local partners, wellness professionals and community resources, offering engaging, hands-on experiences for adults, teenagers and children. Participants explored ways to improve physical health, strengthen financial stability and support overall mental well-being.
Among those in attendance was former FSU teammate and roommate Charlie Ward, now the head men’s basketball coach at Florida A&M. Ward, along with his wife Tonja, is moving forward with The Charlie Ward Champions Ranch — a faith-based sports, wellness and youth development destination currently under construction in southeast Tallahassee.
“We always want to support each other,” Ward said. “Raising awareness of holistic health is important — mental, physical and spiritual. To be able to come back to a place where I once played and now engage with young people in this community, it’s a full-circle moment. It’s about encouraging people to learn and live healthier lives.”
The event featured free health screenings, fitness and nutrition demonstrations, financial education resources, access to community organizations and support services, along with youth engagement activities and interactive experiences.
FSU also showed its support, with members of the women’s lacrosse team — including head coach Sara Tisdale — volunteering at the welcome table and throughout the event. FSU Vice President and Athletics Director Michael Alford also attended.
“Not only does Warrick continue to give back, he’s a great friend of Florida State,” Alford said. “To see what he does in all these communities, and continues to come back to Tallahassee and provide leadership within this community. He’s such a great story himself, what he has overcome and to see him want to give back to help people and provide them with means and education, especially the housing he does for single moms. He just has so many different charities he’s involved in – but he continues to show up. That’s the amazing feat about the caliber of person that he is.”
Warren Dunn’s tragic and triumphant back story
Dunn’s journey has been marked by tragedy, resilience and remarkable generosity.
His mother, a police officer, was killed in 1993 while off duty in Baton Rouge when Dunn was an 18-year-old senior in high school.
He went on to star at FSU, where he and Ward helped the Seminoles win Bobby Bowden’s first national championship, before enjoying a 12-year NFL career.
Through his Homes for the Holidays program, Dunn has helped 252 single-parent families achieve home ownership, providing down payment assistance and furnishing homes with the support of corporate partners.
“He has a heart for people,” Ward said “We all have a circle of influence and God has blessed us to have opportunities outside of our little bubble. … this is about taking advantage of those networks that you’ve had opportunities to be a part of.
“Warrick has a heart from his mom experience, which could have gone in the other direction. (He) always gives an active voice to something that’s going to benefit others.”
Warrick Dunn talks FSU football, a return to winning
Count Dunn among those eager to see FSU coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles return to their winning form after two losing seasons. Preseason projections have reflected a wide range of possibilities — from uncertainty to optimism — with FSU viewed as a potential bowl team if it can navigate a demanding early schedule that includes a trip to Alabama Sept. 19.
“For me I am always going to be there to encourage and support,” said Dunn, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024. “I think a little bit of it is about getting to the basics — we can’t go back to the day I was playing — but I think their love and passion for really wanting to help and support each other. …. anytime I talk to the guys on the team, I say it’s not just about you. It’s about the team. We have to all help each other.
“I want them to take the right steps forward.”
Of course, there’s also NIL compensation that has changed the face college athletics, specifically football. FSU’s 2026 roster has an estimated total NIL market valuation of $28.69 million to $29.7 million, according to analytics and data compiled by The NIL Standard. That spending is split between university-directed revenue sharing and third-party NIL collectives.
“It has changed the game a lot — can I get some back pay?” Dunn asked and laughed.
“I am happy guys are making money. I am happy that is happening. But it can’t be just the focus. You have to love what you are doing and give it your all. I would encourage all the guys that get NILs to think about your futures, but when you step on the field you still have to show up and show out. You still have to play at a high level… this is what I am expecting you as a player to come in and really set the example, be the example.”
Here is FSU football’s 2026 schedule
Aug. 29: vs. New Mexico State, 7 p.m. (CW)
Sept. 7: vs. SMU, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sept. 13: Bye
Sept. 19: at Alabama, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Sept. 26: vs. Central Arkansas, TBD
Oct. 3: vs. Virginia, TBD
Oct. 9: at Louisville, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)
Oct. 17: at Miami, TBD
Oct. 24: Bye
Oct. 31: vs. Clemson, TBD
Nov. 7: at Boston College, TBD
Nov. 13: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)
Nov. 21: vs. NC State, TBD
Nov. 27: vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. (ABC, Friday)
Jim Henry is one of the state’s longest-tenured sports writers covering FSU athletics and the sports editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. He can be reached at jjjhenry@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU great Warrick Dunn returns to Tallahassee to host wellness event
Reporting by Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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By Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
