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Dunn Doesn't Mention Being Cut During Talk At School

Tribune photo by LENORA LAKE

Warrick Dunn speaks to students Wednesday afternoon at Brooks-DeBartelo Collegiate High School. He said nothing about being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with school co-founder Derrick Brooks and three other teammates the same day.

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By LENORA LAKE

Tampa Tribune Correspondent

Published: February 25, 2009

Warrick Dunn never let on to the students and guests at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School on Wednesday afternoon that he had been cut.

The running back appeared as part of the charter school's fundraising program, the Distinguished Speaker Series.

The Bucs issued a press release shortly after 2 p.m. announcing that Dunn, along with fellow veterans Derrick Brooks, Ike Hilliard, Cato June and Joey Galloway had been released by the team in order to create playing time for younger players.

The Tampa Tribune reported that the players had been cut at 12:50 p.m. Wedensday.

The Brooks-DeBartelo Collegiate High School was founded by Derrick Brooks and Lisa DeBartolo. It is a college prepatory charter school that was opened in 2006.

Many guests did not know the Buccaneers had released him until word began circulating at the post-speech reception. A Brooks-DeBartolo spokesman said the school found out minutes before Dunn's scheduled 1 p.m. appearance. School administrators lauded him for being a "class act" and following through with his scheduled appearance.

Dunn spoke about his mother, a police officer, who was slain during off-duty work, and the support he received from others as a young man. He talked about his Home for the Holidays program which helps single parents buy houses.

He encouraged students to stay in school, to be role models and to help those in need.

"Consider what you can do to help someone in a situation worse than yours," he told them.

Dunn briefly mingled with students, teachers and guests after addressing the group. He stayed to autograph his recently published book, "Running For My Life," which was for sale.

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