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Running for My Life: My Journey in the Game of Football and Beyond
Pro Bowl star running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons, Warrick Dunn tells his extraordinary story in Running for My Life, a poignant and inspirational true tale of tragedy, success, depression, denial, and ultimately, hope. One of the most gifted players in the NFL, Dunn talks about his remarkable career and accomplishments while sharing the pain of his lifelong battle with depression, a result of losing his mother—a police officer killed while off-duty—when Dunn was 18 Thought-provoking and uplifting, Running for My Life is the story of an exceptional athlete’s secret torment and inspiring courage.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2008
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309 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 15, 2011
Warrick is truly one of the good guys in the National Football League. It’s pretty well-known what he does for families through his Warrick Dunn Foundation and amazing Homes for the Holidays program. In case you don’t know, about 12 years ago Warrick started this program where he makes the down payment on a home selected by a single parent associated with an approved, non-profit, affordable homeownership program. He provides furniture for every room, kitchen appliances and dishes, washers, dryers and refrigerators, lawn & garden equipment, linens, a fully-stocked kitchen, cleaning supplies and home decor items. The whole nine yards. To date, Warrick has assisted 78 single parents and 205 dependents in Tampa, Atlanta and Baton Rouge. He’s really an amazing and caring person. He’s helped change a lot of people’s lives for the better.
Anyway, in this revealing autobiography, which was written along with New York Times author Don Yaeger, Warrick tells his incredibly moving story of courage and determination in the face of the devastating loss of his mother, Betty Smothers. Warrick and his five brothers and sisters all idolized their mother, who was a Baton Rouge police officer. As the oldest, Warrick was the closest to her, and thus the man of the house. On January 7, 1993, while Warrick’s mom worked a second job as a supermarket security guard, she was ambushed, shot, and killed while making a bank deposit. At the time, Warrick was a high school senior, just a few weeks away from choosing among his college football scholarship offers. As you can imagine, the loss of his mom devastated him. In fact, that isn’t even a powerful enough word. He was only eighteen when his circumstances changed and he had to look after his five siblings, but he somehow managed to enroll at Florida State and, in only his freshman year, help their team quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and roommate Charlie Ward, win the National Championship for the 1993–94 season. This was just the beginning of a successful career as a student athlete, which resulted in his selection to the FSU Hall of Fame.
Despite his small stature by NFL standards, Warrick’s athleticism, incomparable drive, and personality convinced Tampa Bay Bucs coach Tony Dungy to select him in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft with the 12th overall pick. He proved coach Dungy right. During his career with the Bucs and, subsequently, the Atlanta Falcons, Warrick amassed five 1,000-yard rushing seasons, was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl three times, and became one of only twenty-three running backs to exceed the 10,000-yard career rushing mark. This season, he returned to the Bucs and continues his NFL success story.
I was surprised to learn that despite how much Warrick has helped others throughout his lifetime thus far, there was one person he neglected to help — himself. He spent all of his emotional energy on his siblings and their pain, and never focused on his own pain. His only solace was the football field, where he truly was “running for his life.” It wasn’t until a Falcons teammate suggested psychological counseling that Warrick began to battle the demons that still haunt him from his mother’s death.
Anyway, in this revealing autobiography, which was written along with New York Times author Don Yaeger, Warrick tells his incredibly moving story of courage and determination in the face of the devastating loss of his mother, Betty Smothers. Warrick and his five brothers and sisters all idolized their mother, who was a Baton Rouge police officer. As the oldest, Warrick was the closest to her, and thus the man of the house. On January 7, 1993, while Warrick’s mom worked a second job as a supermarket security guard, she was ambushed, shot, and killed while making a bank deposit. At the time, Warrick was a high school senior, just a few weeks away from choosing among his college football scholarship offers. As you can imagine, the loss of his mom devastated him. In fact, that isn’t even a powerful enough word. He was only eighteen when his circumstances changed and he had to look after his five siblings, but he somehow managed to enroll at Florida State and, in only his freshman year, help their team quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and roommate Charlie Ward, win the National Championship for the 1993–94 season. This was just the beginning of a successful career as a student athlete, which resulted in his selection to the FSU Hall of Fame.
Despite his small stature by NFL standards, Warrick’s athleticism, incomparable drive, and personality convinced Tampa Bay Bucs coach Tony Dungy to select him in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft with the 12th overall pick. He proved coach Dungy right. During his career with the Bucs and, subsequently, the Atlanta Falcons, Warrick amassed five 1,000-yard rushing seasons, was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl three times, and became one of only twenty-three running backs to exceed the 10,000-yard career rushing mark. This season, he returned to the Bucs and continues his NFL success story.
I was surprised to learn that despite how much Warrick has helped others throughout his lifetime thus far, there was one person he neglected to help — himself. He spent all of his emotional energy on his siblings and their pain, and never focused on his own pain. His only solace was the football field, where he truly was “running for his life.” It wasn’t until a Falcons teammate suggested psychological counseling that Warrick began to battle the demons that still haunt him from his mother’s death.
December 1, 2016
Briton Allen
Mrs. Wray
English 10
1st December 2016
Book review
Strolling through the library looking for a new book I found a very interesting book and it caught my eye just because it was about football, and when I see about football I usually stop and see what it's about just because it's my favorite sport, also it had a very odd and different title Running for Life. In my opinion I think this was the best book I've read so far I enjoyed the story all around I just felt like I could connect with the writer, especially as a football player Warrick Dunn, he made it to the highest level capable as a football player, and that's one of my dreams. Also he grew up with a single parent, after reading this book it excelled my expectations and I really loved it I would honestly read this book over again. " That's the question I faced following my junior season at Florida State: Should I return for my senior year at FSU or depart early for the National Football League and it's millions of dollars". (Dunn 108) In the book how did you have enough strength and integrity to not attack the person that shot your mother to death ? How we're able to keep calm and control your attitude when sitting face to face with him ? In conclusion I would recommend this book too all my peers and all readers it's a very good story and what makes it better is that it's a true story so it makes everything much better.
Mrs. Wray
English 10
1st December 2016
Book review
Strolling through the library looking for a new book I found a very interesting book and it caught my eye just because it was about football, and when I see about football I usually stop and see what it's about just because it's my favorite sport, also it had a very odd and different title Running for Life. In my opinion I think this was the best book I've read so far I enjoyed the story all around I just felt like I could connect with the writer, especially as a football player Warrick Dunn, he made it to the highest level capable as a football player, and that's one of my dreams. Also he grew up with a single parent, after reading this book it excelled my expectations and I really loved it I would honestly read this book over again. " That's the question I faced following my junior season at Florida State: Should I return for my senior year at FSU or depart early for the National Football League and it's millions of dollars". (Dunn 108) In the book how did you have enough strength and integrity to not attack the person that shot your mother to death ? How we're able to keep calm and control your attitude when sitting face to face with him ? In conclusion I would recommend this book too all my peers and all readers it's a very good story and what makes it better is that it's a true story so it makes everything much better.
June 14, 2021
This book shares a title with the book I actually wanted to read. An avid football fan would have appreciated this one more than I did. It was a great story though of Warrick growing up fast after his mom's murder and learning to deal with that, plus helping raise his siblings, seeking God, working hard, and giving back to his community.
January 13, 2016
Running For My Life: My Journey in the Game of Football and Beyond by Warrick Dunn and Don Yaeger was a fantastic book to read for me. I expected this book to be about some old football player but the more I read the more I could relate some of his sport struggles to mine. I liked this book because me being an athlete especially a football player I was able to relate to a lot of the adversity and situations Warrick Dunn had to face through life and on the football field. This book for me helped me understand the struggles for people who weren't as lucky as me to have everything handed to them like I do.
A question I had after reading this book was did Warrick Dunn problems growing up poor and without a father figure help him in the process of playing sports and did not having a father give him motivation in that sport?
Running For My Life: My Journey in the Game of Football and Beyond by Warrick Dunn and Don Yaeger talks an NFL running back named Warrick Dunn who tells about his inspirational story of courage and determination in the face of devastating loss, it's a story that makes his many achievements on the football field much more spectacular.
This book had a great inspirational story about determination and heart. I recommend this to people who play any sport because anyone can relate to this book like I did. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5.
A question I had after reading this book was did Warrick Dunn problems growing up poor and without a father figure help him in the process of playing sports and did not having a father give him motivation in that sport?
Running For My Life: My Journey in the Game of Football and Beyond by Warrick Dunn and Don Yaeger talks an NFL running back named Warrick Dunn who tells about his inspirational story of courage and determination in the face of devastating loss, it's a story that makes his many achievements on the football field much more spectacular.
This book had a great inspirational story about determination and heart. I recommend this to people who play any sport because anyone can relate to this book like I did. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5.
March 11, 2016
I truly enjoyed reading Running For My Life by Warrick Dunn and Don Yeger. This book goes through his life and his path to success. After experiencing something horrific, Warrick learns how to grow up fast and provide for his family at a very young age. This is a great example of starting from the bottom and rising to the top.
"I was in the courtroom both days and I really wasn't sure what I wanted-death or life for Brumfield." This quote explains a tough time Dunn had to go through, it helped shaped him into the person that he is today and something he will never forget, he decided to just live his life and leave everything in gods hands.
Reality is living off the decisions you make day in and day out to provide for your family. Although he was young, Warrick had to do these things so his family could live. Being the oldest sibling he had to literally watch over each and everyone of his sibling make sure they were situated with whatever they had going on, something like a mother would do.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to hear an inspirational story that will change your view on things. When the only option is to succeed, of course it adds pressure but it makes the story that much better in the end, all of the hard work and sacrifices pay off and you can say that you made it. This book will not disappoint!
"I was in the courtroom both days and I really wasn't sure what I wanted-death or life for Brumfield." This quote explains a tough time Dunn had to go through, it helped shaped him into the person that he is today and something he will never forget, he decided to just live his life and leave everything in gods hands.
Reality is living off the decisions you make day in and day out to provide for your family. Although he was young, Warrick had to do these things so his family could live. Being the oldest sibling he had to literally watch over each and everyone of his sibling make sure they were situated with whatever they had going on, something like a mother would do.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to hear an inspirational story that will change your view on things. When the only option is to succeed, of course it adds pressure but it makes the story that much better in the end, all of the hard work and sacrifices pay off and you can say that you made it. This book will not disappoint!
May 23, 2016
Running for my life is a touching story about star running back Warrick dunn. It's a book that talks about his life and the bad adversity he went through. He grew up in the ghetto in Louisiana and went through of harsh time. In this book you will see to how emotional Warrick Dunn gets. Warrick grew up poor so he use that to his advantage. He worked really hard and got an scholarship to go to FSU. Then later played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When i was young I always looked up to Warrick Dunn.
When reading this book it made me want to work hard. And also gives me confidence. “My Journey in the Game of Football and beyond.” This is an quote from the book really give the reader a blueprint on what this book is all about. It also teaches the reader life lessons outside of sports.
Warrick Dunn value and beliefs are what make him a good person. I recommend jalen townshend this book because its might inspire him. I also recommend this book for someone that like to hear good stories.
When reading this book it made me want to work hard. And also gives me confidence. “My Journey in the Game of Football and beyond.” This is an quote from the book really give the reader a blueprint on what this book is all about. It also teaches the reader life lessons outside of sports.
Warrick Dunn value and beliefs are what make him a good person. I recommend jalen townshend this book because its might inspire him. I also recommend this book for someone that like to hear good stories.
January 31, 2011
This book is about Warrick Dunn and his life. With life comes struggles and things you just have to do. Warrick gerw up with just his mother around the house. He bonded a lot with his brothers, sisters, and neighbors because his mom was gone a lot working. Warrick was very close to his mother and when she got killed it devastated him and he thought there was nothing left in him. One of the main things Warrick does is meets with his mother's murderer in which he felt called to do so he could forgive him.
This book was very unique because of the way Dunn wrote it. It told a lot about himself and how he felt which you don't see a lot guys trying to do that in their books. It was pretty easy for me to read because it was a professional athlete and it was about sports. Although it was a very good book it was just a little bit slow moving sometimes.
This book was very unique because of the way Dunn wrote it. It told a lot about himself and how he felt which you don't see a lot guys trying to do that in their books. It was pretty easy for me to read because it was a professional athlete and it was about sports. Although it was a very good book it was just a little bit slow moving sometimes.
December 24, 2013
As a Louisianian, I was aware of Warrick Dunn's football greatness from the time he played high school football in Baton Rouge to his retirement from the pro ranks. He never failed to show up and do the absolute best he could do, with a work ethic and attitude that were phenomenal. When his mother was killed, newspapers were full of the tragedy. Its effect on her children was heartbreaking. Despite all the challenges, Warrick Dunn continued to live up to his amazing potential, give his all, and show grace under fire. His work with Homes for the Holidays has been well publicized in Louisiana, and he is greatly admired for his philanthropy. He is also greatly admired for his dedication to his family and to his very successful career. I enjoyed reading about his life but found the book only a so-so read.
February 15, 2018
What scares you the most (losing someone you love, killing someone, getting killed, being in charge.) That is what running back Warrick Dunn experienced after losing his mother in a very tragical accident. This book is full of sadness, action, and love. The action in this book comes from when Darrick explains in his book how his football dream was achieved. The love in this book comes from the love he offers to his family and friends, and he takes care of all of them after his loss. The most interesting part of this book is when the sadness comes in when he loses his mother and he doesn't know what to do anymore. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves non fiction true sports stories and tragical comebacks.
April 8, 2009
Warrick Dunn is a football player I really admired not just for his playing ability, but how he helped others. I looked forward to reading this book since I never knew all he went through in his life to play football in college and the NFL. Yeah, I did cringe when a few games against my beloved Gators were brought up. I cried at times at the pain he went through. And I smiled at the good times when he was on my side as a Buccaneer. This book definitely gave me insight into an incredible human being and is a lesson to not let anything stop you from making your dreams come true.
December 23, 2012
Warrick Dunn is one of my favorite athletes already, being an FSU and Buccaneer fan I've already seen all his work on the field and heard of his great off the field work and was really excited to hear more of his story. But sadly he(or the SI writer Dan Yeager) is a pretty terrible writer. While his story is truly inspirational the book does not tell it in such a way which made the reading interesting.
February 2, 2019
If you are a big play by play fan...
I guess I was expecting something more, or something else. Seems like too many football stats, game by game, year by year, blah by blah.
It’s too repetitive—how many times does he tell us where he went to high school? Or college? Or that his 3youngest siblings lived with him for a time? Or that he and brother Derrick had personality clashes?
Arghh! This book could have been condensed from nearly 300 pages to 125!
I guess I was expecting something more, or something else. Seems like too many football stats, game by game, year by year, blah by blah.
It’s too repetitive—how many times does he tell us where he went to high school? Or college? Or that his 3youngest siblings lived with him for a time? Or that he and brother Derrick had personality clashes?
Arghh! This book could have been condensed from nearly 300 pages to 125!
May 29, 2012
I remember watching the nightly news and hearing of his mothers' killing. I also know today of the neighborhood that he has established in Baton Rouge, LA...in honor of his mother. The neighborhood is for single mothers like his own who work hard to provide for their children. His mother did a wonderful job raising this young man, and I can only imagine how proud she is of him today.
March 14, 2016
The story was good, the writing was awful. It was unnecessarily wordy and went around in circles, and it repeated. A lot. I abandoned this book. I guess you could read it because the story is good, but the writing was a little wacky.
This is nothing against Warrick Dunn, I believe he is a strong and good natured individual. He is just a football player, and not a writer.
This is nothing against Warrick Dunn, I believe he is a strong and good natured individual. He is just a football player, and not a writer.
September 5, 2016
Warrick Dunn is a true inspiration. He overcame tremendous tragedy and become both a successful professional athlete and inspiring philanthropist. His story is a great read for any fan of his, and any football fan who'd appreciate his amazing story. I really enjoyed this book. Warrick Dunn is an amazing person!
January 6, 2021
Having trouble staying interested enough to finish... The life of Warrick is interesting, but it seems to take a very long time to get to the end, and there isn't too much after the first few chapters to keep engaged... Sorry Warrick! Maybe if you were a Gator...
August 19, 2014
I bought this for Jeremy and am reading it first ...it is a great read, Warrick Dunn is such a wonderful example of what a professional athlete should be ... Doing what he has done on the field with his size and what he has done in his life thru his adversity is just amazing.
March 26, 2009
Not bad- not great, standard footbal player bio. I probably wouldn't have stuck with this one if I wasn't such a big Warrick Dunn fan. Good story, but nothing spectacular.
Want to read
June 18, 2009Received this as a gift. Former FSU player...and all-around good guy! (knew him way back when - when he banked with me in Tallahassee)
July 14, 2011
It's nice to read about an athlete who's giving back. Of course, he's a Seminole, so there's no surprise there.
June 15, 2012
Its good
July 9, 2014
When you read a book like this you need to stop and thank God for the blessing. Very honorable guy and very good to his siblings. I wish him good days ahead.
September 30, 2015
This one sat on the back burner about 1/2 read for a long time. So glad I finished it. Very inspirational.
August 28, 2016
He has a good story and is an inspirational man.
December 27, 2017
Dunn’s story is gripping and inspiring, but this is simply a poorly written memoir. If I weren’t an FSU grad, I would have put it down after the first two or three chapters.
April 12, 2018
Best book I’ve read
July 7, 2018
It was sorta odd to read a biography of a 32 year old (at the time), but it was interesting. Warrick was a great player and an even better person.
December 17, 2018
Amazing book by an amazing human being
April 29, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “WITH HOMAGE TO HIS MOTHER… WARRICK IS A TRUE ROLE MODEL!”
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When the first page of the first chapter of a book takes the reader on a trip to *DEATH-ROW-AT-ANGOLA-STATE-PRISON-IN-LOUISIANA* you can be sure you’re not at the beginning of a typical sports book! The author Warrick Dunn is assuredly a star football player in the NFL… and a former college All-American at Florida State University… and a first round draft choice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… and the twenty-second player in NFL history to rush for ten-thousand-yards in his career… and the owner of many more enviable statistics...
**BUT**… more than anything else in the world… Warrick is his Mother’s son… and there is nothing in his lifetime that he’s prouder of! Warrick’s Mother was much more than a Mother to him… they were also best friends. Part of the dedication in the front of the book is to his Mom and other special individuals… but… the story that unfolds as the author shares the innermost secrets… hopes… dreams… and pain of his very soul… are all a testament of the impact that his loved and idolized Mother… had on Warrick… and through him… on the world.
Betty Dunn Smothers was a Baton Rouge police officer and a single Mother with six children. In addition to working fulltime as a police officer she also took on after hours security work at department stores, convenience stores, and football games, in order to survive as a single Mother of six. On January 7, 1993 while working an extra-duty security job at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, she was taking an employee to make a night deposit at the bank… and she was ambushed and shot and killed. Officer Smothers was Warrick’s Mother. Warrick would never be the same. A senior in high school, Warrick had to become the Parent of his five brothers and sisters. Throughout the story that follows, which includes his college and professional football careers, Dunn had to carry the extra burden of making sure his family was safe, disciplined, and going in the right direction. When Warrick was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft and signed the lucrative contract that followed… he never forgot where he came from… and the lifelong stress and dreams that his deceased Mother had always carried with her… especially the dream of a single Mother to get a nice home for her kids. His first NFL coach was a devout-spiritual-man, Tony Dungy. Tony told him that one of the first things he should do is make a commitment to helping the community. Warrick had already had that desire, but hadn’t really found the right vehicle that would make him feel complete. Then, because of his never-ending thoughts of his Mother… he devised a way to help deserving single Mom’s down on their luck.
“IT HAD TAKEN A WHILE, BUT I’D REALIZED MY DREAM. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TRANSLATE MY TALENT ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD INTO SOMETHING TRULY MEANINGFUL FOR HARD-WORKING, DETERMINED PEOPLE WHO DIDN’T WANT A HANDOUT, BUT JUST NEEDED A BOOST. I KNEW THAT WAS WHAT MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST PROUD OF: NOT MY RECORDS, NOT MY AWARDS, BUT THE WAY I USED MY WORLDLY SUCCESS TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK.”… “AND THAT’S HOW *HOME-FOR-THE-HOLIDAYS* GOT ITS START.” “TO DATE, *HOMES-FOR-THE-HOLIDAY* HAS HELPED 77 FAMILIES WITH 201 CHILDREN IN TOTAL. THE WARRICK DUNN FOUNDATION NOW HAS THE CAPACITY TO SPONSOR TEN HOMES ANNUALLY.” Warrick assists with the down payment, along with everything imaginable a new homeowner would need to start a dream of living in a house they couldn’t have afforded otherwise… everything from furniture… to a refrigerator… to food in the refrigerator… lawn mowers… even flowers and a toothbrush.
The author has come a long way from the awful night he lost his Mother in a brutal murder… and on October 23, 2007 Warrick sat face-to-face on death row with the man who killed his Mother and best friend… and asked why?
Warrick Dunn is an absolute role model in any way you care to define it. Today… and everyday… since his Mother left this earthly world… he is making her proud… and also making the world a better place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the first page of the first chapter of a book takes the reader on a trip to *DEATH-ROW-AT-ANGOLA-STATE-PRISON-IN-LOUISIANA* you can be sure you’re not at the beginning of a typical sports book! The author Warrick Dunn is assuredly a star football player in the NFL… and a former college All-American at Florida State University… and a first round draft choice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… and the twenty-second player in NFL history to rush for ten-thousand-yards in his career… and the owner of many more enviable statistics...
**BUT**… more than anything else in the world… Warrick is his Mother’s son… and there is nothing in his lifetime that he’s prouder of! Warrick’s Mother was much more than a Mother to him… they were also best friends. Part of the dedication in the front of the book is to his Mom and other special individuals… but… the story that unfolds as the author shares the innermost secrets… hopes… dreams… and pain of his very soul… are all a testament of the impact that his loved and idolized Mother… had on Warrick… and through him… on the world.
Betty Dunn Smothers was a Baton Rouge police officer and a single Mother with six children. In addition to working fulltime as a police officer she also took on after hours security work at department stores, convenience stores, and football games, in order to survive as a single Mother of six. On January 7, 1993 while working an extra-duty security job at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, she was taking an employee to make a night deposit at the bank… and she was ambushed and shot and killed. Officer Smothers was Warrick’s Mother. Warrick would never be the same. A senior in high school, Warrick had to become the Parent of his five brothers and sisters. Throughout the story that follows, which includes his college and professional football careers, Dunn had to carry the extra burden of making sure his family was safe, disciplined, and going in the right direction. When Warrick was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft and signed the lucrative contract that followed… he never forgot where he came from… and the lifelong stress and dreams that his deceased Mother had always carried with her… especially the dream of a single Mother to get a nice home for her kids. His first NFL coach was a devout-spiritual-man, Tony Dungy. Tony told him that one of the first things he should do is make a commitment to helping the community. Warrick had already had that desire, but hadn’t really found the right vehicle that would make him feel complete. Then, because of his never-ending thoughts of his Mother… he devised a way to help deserving single Mom’s down on their luck.
“IT HAD TAKEN A WHILE, BUT I’D REALIZED MY DREAM. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TRANSLATE MY TALENT ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD INTO SOMETHING TRULY MEANINGFUL FOR HARD-WORKING, DETERMINED PEOPLE WHO DIDN’T WANT A HANDOUT, BUT JUST NEEDED A BOOST. I KNEW THAT WAS WHAT MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST PROUD OF: NOT MY RECORDS, NOT MY AWARDS, BUT THE WAY I USED MY WORLDLY SUCCESS TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK.”… “AND THAT’S HOW *HOME-FOR-THE-HOLIDAYS* GOT ITS START.” “TO DATE, *HOMES-FOR-THE-HOLIDAY* HAS HELPED 77 FAMILIES WITH 201 CHILDREN IN TOTAL. THE WARRICK DUNN FOUNDATION NOW HAS THE CAPACITY TO SPONSOR TEN HOMES ANNUALLY.” Warrick assists with the down payment, along with everything imaginable a new homeowner would need to start a dream of living in a house they couldn’t have afforded otherwise… everything from furniture… to a refrigerator… to food in the refrigerator… lawn mowers… even flowers and a toothbrush.
The author has come a long way from the awful night he lost his Mother in a brutal murder… and on October 23, 2007 Warrick sat face-to-face on death row with the man who killed his Mother and best friend… and asked why?
Warrick Dunn is an absolute role model in any way you care to define it. Today… and everyday… since his Mother left this earthly world… he is making her proud… and also making the world a better place.
September 18, 2022
Overall I enjoyed this book. I’d heard Don Yaeger speak at a Maxwell Leadership Conference and he talked a lot about Warrick, so going into the book I knew some key points of his life. This is the reason I cried for about the first 1/5th of the book while reading it. I believe Warrick did an amazing job opening up about his life and his personal emotions and struggles, but also honoring his mother. I enjoyed the stories from some of the receivers of his Homes for the Holiday’s charity and his vulnerability throughout the whole book. The only two gripes I had, and they are probably personal preferences, is that: 1) There were several points in his story that he repeated details…for me reading it, it felt like he’d forgotten that he’d already mentioned that before and not that he was reiterating it for emphasis. 2) I love biographies and tend to enjoy when they tell the stories in chronological order, so it was a struggle for me when we were in 1998 than 2000 than 2004 and all of a sudden were jumping back to 2000, etc. My preference would have been to have his points unfold in chronological order so you would have the knowledge of situations or patterns of thinking or things he’d done to work on himself while reading about other key things in his life. Again, that is probably personal preference and that is why I do believe this book deserves a 4/5 star rating.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews