ATLANTA – DECEMBER 30: Warrick Dunn #28 of the Atlanta Falcons waves to the crowd as he leaves the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 44-41 on December 30, 2007 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Former All-Pro NFL running back Warrick Dunn is raking in large sums after what now appears to be a very sound investment.
Dunn, who played his college football at Florida State, was drafted as the 12th overall pick of the 1997 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and fashioned a 12-year career. He spent the first four years of his career with the Bucs, earning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award as a first-year star. He moved to the Atlanta Falcons in 2004, before returning to Tampa Bay, where he retired in 2008.
Happy Birthday @WarrickDunn #Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/2uxNtH4KGO
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) January 5, 2023
Dunn made $36 million over the span of his 12 years in the league but should have been worth around $11 million after taxes and expenses.
One year after retiring, the former running back purchased a minority stake in the Falcons for $9 million. The team was worth $856 million back then – according to Forbes, they’re now worth $4 billion, which leaves Dunne with an investment that has gone up over 500 percent since he put his money into it.
An all-pro running back made $36 million during his 12 years in the NFL.
1 year after retiring, he bought the team he played for (and it’s turning into millions).
Here’s the fascinating story: pic.twitter.com/ERrIbKnpgy
— Andrew Petcash (@AndrewPetcash) January 11, 2023
That initial $9 million has been turned into at least $50 million, while the former player remains a part owner of an NFL franchise. It’s worth noting that NFL teams increase in value every year as the league continues to make profits.
Dunn has been giving back too, having helped build over 200 homes for single-parent families in Tampa.
Shouting out Twitter user @AndrewPetcash for bringing this wonderful story to light
