By Lori Leath Smith
Each year at this time, some of the area’s top high school, collegiate, amateur, professional, Special Olympics athletes and individuals who have fostered youth activities are honored during the annual All Sports Association’s (ASA) Awards Banquet. The ASA is a Northwest Florida non-profit organization whose primary mission is to help raise money for local youth-oriented non-profit organizations with an emphasis on sports programs. The All Sports Association and its volunteers have raised more than $2 million in the last 10 years for our local youth and the promotion of youth athletics.
The annual awards banquet is used to identify, then recognize and honor some of the finest athletes from Northwest Florida who are contributing to their sports and their community. The recognized individuals not only excel in their sports, but also are at the top in academics and community involvement. Since 1970, the ASA has brought together the finest athletes in Northwest Florida.
This year’s speaker, Warrick Dunn, joins a growing list of impactful past speakers—Herschel Walker, Tom Glavine, Bo Jackson, Nick Saban, Bobby Bowden, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Tim Tebow and Herm Edwards.
Dunn, a prominent figure in both college and professional football, was elected to the prestigious College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 in January! His road forged by this amazing accomplishment was inspired by his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the field. He began leaving his mark in college football history at Florida State University as a running back from 1993 to 1996. Dunn’s speed, agility and versatile playing style with the Seminoles made him a standout player and helped secure Florida State’s first national championship in 1993. Dunn became the first player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in three different seasons and left FSU as the program’s career rushing yards record holder, finishing his college career with more than 3,000 rushing yards. Dunn becomes the 11th FSU representative in the College Football Hall of Fame, including Dunn’s teammates Charlie Ward (2006) and Derrick Brooks (2016) as well as head coach Bobby Bowden (2006).
Having displayed his dynamic and multi-dimensional athletic ability, Dunn was picked as 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1997 NFL Draft. His transitioned to the professional league seamlessly, quickly becoming an integral part of the Buccaneers’ offense. Throughout the 12 seasons of his NFL career, Dunn played for both the Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons, not only winning the hearts of his fans, but also leaving an enduring football-great legacy on the program as a whole.
Dunn’s impact on the field was profound. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and surpassed the 10,000 rushing yards milestone during his tenure. His ability to maneuver through defenses with speed and finesse made him a formidable force in the league. Dunn’s consistency and dedication to his craft solidified his reputation as one of the league’s premier running backs.
However, Dunn’s contributions extended far beyond his accomplishments on the football field. His was truly commited to philanthropy and community service. He established the Homes for The Holidays program and the Warrick Dunn Charities, aiming to provide affordable housing to single-parent families. This initiative was deeply personal to Dunn, as he lost his mother, a police officer, during his college years, leaving him to take care of his siblings.
In 2007, he and other greats—Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning and Cal Ripken, Jr.—founded Athletes for Hope. Dunn’s charity work reflected his empathy and desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
In recognition of his contributions, Dunn received numerous accolades, including the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2004, highlighting his excellence on and off the field.
Celebrating 55 years, the awards banquet will be held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Feb. 23 from 6-9 p.m. Other events include the 2024 Buck Smith FCA Breakfast with guest speaker Isaiah Sanders on Feb. 24 at Northwest Florida State College Arena from 7-9:15 a.m. Isaiah is the winner of the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy and a United States Air Force Academy and Stanford University graduate.
All-sports weekend activities also include a golf outing and fish fry with guest speaker Colonel (retired) Kurt Buller. Through the efforts of the annual All-Sports banquet and summer golf tournament, and in addition to supporting local high school athletic programs, the association helps fund numerous worthwhile sports organizations and charitable causes. The primary beneficiaries are the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Special Olympics Florida- Okaloosa, Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center and Okaloosa Walton FCA.
For more information, visit allsportsassociation.org.
