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Warrick Dunn: What Might Have Been

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2008

TAMPA - Warrick Dunn optimistically believed he could watch his former team play in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Dunn was in San Diego for Super Bowl week with every intention of supporting the Bucs. Dunn spent the first five years of his career in Tampa Bay as a running back before signing with Atlanta as a free agent in 2002. He still had friends on the team and planned to root for them.

"I left San Diego that morning in case they did win. I really didn't want to be caught up in the midst of it," Dunn said recently. "I wanted to get away and let them have their moment."

Just Another Game

Dunn flew to his home in Louisiana and hung out with family. He barely watched the game. The biggest moment in Tampa Bay's history was just another football contest to Dunn.

As Dunn, who re-signed with the Bucs this offseason, attempts to be a part of Tampa Bay's effort to make this year's Super Bowl a home game, he still remembers that Sunday from six years ago.

"It wasn't easy to watch them play and go off and win the Super Bowl," Dunn said. "I was happy for the guys I played with because I knew how hard they worked and the things they had been through.

"For me, you also want to have the opportunity to play in that big game. We had a pretty good year the previous year. We lost in the playoffs. But to not have an opportunity to play in that game is tough. Any player who hasn't had that opportunity will tell you that."

Bucs receiver Ike Hilliard had the opportunity, but agrees with Dunn.

Hilliard played for the Giants against Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV, which was held in Tampa. The Ravens won the 2000 championship and Hilliard has not been back to the Super Bowl.

"This is my 12th year in the NFL and I've only had one opportunity," Hilliard said. "There are guys who have been great in this league for a long time, like Joey Galloway and Warrick Dunn, and haven't gotten that opportunity.

"I think that speaks volumes about how hard it is to get there."

Tough To Get There

If anyone knows how difficult it is to make the Super Bowl, Dunn does.

Dunn has rushed for 10,181 yards and 47 touchdowns, plus 4,009 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns in his career. He is among 22 running backs in NFL history to gain over 10,000 career rushing yards. He has three Pro Bowls on his resume.

Yet, Dunn, 33, faces the potential of being remembered as a great player without any Super Bowl experience.

"Unfortunately as athletes, as years go by, your days are numbered. Your games are numbered," Dunn said. "Every year you get older, it makes it that much more important to give yourself an opportunity to play in that game.

"The clock is ticking. To play 12 years and not even play in that game, it's tough, but this team does have the opportunity to help me get there."

Considering Dunn left Tampa Bay a year before it advanced to the Super Bowl, he can recognize championship talent.

Dunn is expected to support running back Earnest Graham, who rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Graham, who started in only 10 games, is expected to improve this season behind Tampa Bay's offensive line, which could be the best in franchise history.

Tampa Bay running back Michael Bennett also will be part of the Bucs' three-man rotation, and Coach Jon Gruden hopes they have enough firepower to play a Feb. 1 game in Raymond James Stadium.

"We probably would have had a better year in 2002 if we had Warrick Dunn," Gruden said. "We all know what he missed. It's what you play the game for. Being in the pinnacle on your profession, it's the top.

"I want it for Jeff Garcia. I want it for Galloway. I want it for Aqib Talib. I want it for all these guys. Warrick is a special guy. All of these guys are working to get there."

Dunn is ready.

He never took the time to watch Tampa Bay play in its last Super Bowl. Now, Dunn's goal is to finally play in a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

"It makes it so much better with the ring, but I think the career I've had, the things I've accomplished, my career would be complete without a Super Bowl," Dunn said. "The things I've done away from the field are way more important than football. I think I've accomplished a lot, but having a ring would mean a lot."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can

be reached at (813) 259-8425

or arichardson@tampatrib.com

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