Dunn is scheduled to throw the first pitch at 3:45 p.m. on June 18 at Tropicana Field
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Former Florida State running back, NFL star and standout philanthropist, Warrick Dunn, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Tampa Bay Rays host the San Francisco Giants at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, at Tropicana Field.
In its fourth year, “Chop at the Trop” has become a fan favorite for Seminoles all around the Sunshine State.
“We enjoy bringing Florida State Athletics to fans that can’t always travel to Tallahassee,” Seminole Boosters CEO Andy Miller said. “‘Chop at the Trop’ is a great experience for Nole fans of every age and era.”
Previous Seminoles to throw out the first pitch at the event include: Florida State head baseball coach Mike Martin (2013), Bobby Bowden (2014) and current FSU football head coach Jimbo Fisher (2015).
Dunn starred at Florida State from 1993-96, becoming a three-time All-ACC selection and helping the Seminoles capture their first national title during his freshman season. He became the first FSU running back to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and is the program’s career leader in rushing yards (3,959). Following his collegiate career, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Dunn with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He went on to star for five years for the Bucs before spending six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He wrapped up his career with a final season back in Tampa in 2008 to complete an outstanding 12-year NFL career that saw him go to three Pro Bowls and finish ranked in the Top 20 in NFL history in rushing yards at the time of his retirement.
Dunn is also well-known for his philanthropic efforts and amazing generosity. Warrick Dunn Charities improves lives through innovative programming inspired by Dunn’s life journey. He started Homes for the Holidays, a program of the Charities, in 1997 during his rookie year with the Buccaneers. The program is a tribute to his mother, Betty Smothers, a Baton Rouge police officer who as a single-mother of six worked tirelessly to achieve the American dream of owning her own home. While working a second job as a security guard, she was killed in the line of duty and was never able to realize that dream. Warrick Dunn and Warrick Dunn Charities will celebrate the 150th family acquiring their new home with Homes for Holidays this year. To read more about Warrick Dunn Charities, visit www.wdc.org.
Florida State fans and Tampa Bay Rays fans can purchase discounted tickets at www.raysbaseball.com/noles and use the promo code: “NOLES2.” Portions of the tickets sold will support Florida State Athletics.
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