Warrick Dunn in November 2008 with the Buccaneers . (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
THIS IS EPISODE 593 OF THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Warrick Dunn played 12 years in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. He was selected in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by Tampa after a stellar college career at Florida State.
In college with the Seminoles, Dunn won a national championship in 1993 and was a three-time All-ACC selection after rushing for more than 1,000 yards three straight years. Dunn’s No. 28 jersey was retired by Florida State.
In the NFL , he rushed for 10,967 yards and 49 touchdowns. He was named the 1997 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and the 2004 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. In 2017, he was inducted into the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor.
In 1997, Dunn established the “Homes For the Holidays” program through Warrick Dunn Charities, and since its inception it has furnished 185 homes, provided more than $875,000 in down-payment assistance, and served more than 250 families.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Dunn about playing for Christian coaches Tony Dungy and Bobby Bowden, how Coach Bowden helped Dunn cope with the death of his mother, Dunn’s battle with mental illness, and how his faith helps fuel him to give back and establish his “Homes For the Holidays” program.
Tony Dungy (left) and Cooper Kupp. (Photo courtesy of X/@TonyDungy)
The first four months of 2026 have been good to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
In February, the 32-year-old won his second Super Bowl title when the Seahawks took down the New England Patriots, 29-13, in Super Bowl LX. Then on Friday at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, he was presented with the 2026 Uncommon Award by legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy.
Dungy presents the Uncommon Award annually to someone who, according to the event website, isn’t “afraid to take the tough road, to follow a higher calling or set a higher standard.” Dungy’s passion for living an uncommon life and calling others to do the same came from his father, his collegiate coach at Minnesota, Cal Stoll, and Jesus’ words in the Bible passage Matthew 7:13-14.
We’re at our 13th annual Uncommon Award dinner and this year we are honoring Cooper Kupp. Cooper is a 2 time Super Bowl champ and an amazing man as well. He’s been a great leader for the Rams & the Seahawks and a true community servant. Cooper has shown that you can be at the top… pic.twitter.com/GqiQKXdzJV
The presentation of the Uncommon Award to Kupp was followed Saturday morning by the Arise with the Guys men’s event, which was attended by nearly 4,000 men. The event seeks to prepare men to create meaningful change and live an uncommon life. Recently-retired Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham was one of the speakers, and the event concluded with a Gospel presentation.
The morning centered on Kupp and Dungy as they participated in a Q&A, where they talked about football and their shared faith in Christ.
“I was made to play the game of football,” Kupp said on the stage. “Not to go do great football things or to win Super Bowls. I was made to play football to be on a stage to be able to point to Jesus, to be able to call people to Him, to be able to live a life that reflects Jesus in every way. I know that I would not be here without Him.”
Kupp was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams out of Eastern Washington in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and made an immediate splash in L.A. with 869 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. He continued to develop over the next few years, culminating in a historic 2021 campaign.
That season, he earned the NFL’s receiving “triple crown” in which he led the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16). Kupp was named a Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro, and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and he capped the season by leading his team to a 23-20 victory in Super Bowl LVI. He was the game’s MVP.
After three more seasons with the Rams, he was released and quickly re-signed by Seattle, where he continued to be a starter. His consistency and veteran leadership proved invaluable on the team’s journey to a Super Bowl title; he caught six passes for 61 yards in the big game.
Kupp’s full Q&A was featured in this week’s “Tuesday Morning RB” on the Sports Spectrum Podcast, and when asked about his release from the Rams only to be signed by the Seahawks and win a Super Bowl, he talked about trusting God’s goodness in the uncertainty.
“God has a plan for you that isn’t always going to be in alignment with what you want for yourself,” Kupp said. “But His plan is better. I promise you, it’s better. You know, I’ve lived that out. This year was a great example.”
Later, Kupp revealed that he signs autographs with one of his favorite Bible verses, 1 Corinthians 9:25, which says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” After Kupp quoted it, he reflected on its significance to him.
“I’m working out at 7:00 in the morning. I’m here not because I’m getting ready for a game. I’m here because I’m representing Jesus on earth,” he said. “That is a mindset that is going to give you everything you need, all the motivation you need, to go out and be the best football player that you can possibly be. More than enough motivation.
“We should be the hardest workers in the world, because we’re working for an eternal prize.”
Kupp was asked about what the Lord taught him in the past year, from the low of being released to the high of winning a Super Bowl with his favorite childhood team.
“What God taught me is that He’s there,” Kupp said. “He’s there for us, and when you pursue Him, He’s going to answer the bell. He will answer the bell, I promise you. Do not leave. Just stay on the path that He has for you because He is there for you and He has a great plan for you.”
Whatever 2026-27 holds for Kupp, this year’s Uncommon Award winner will seek to continue to live the uncommon life God has called him to.
“Without Jesus, I’m nothing. Without His love and His care and His guidance just going through my whole life — the ups and downs that I’ve been through — He’s the only Truth and the Way to help me through.”
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING ROBERT MATHIS
Robert Mathis spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2003-16) and is the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks (123). He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2021, and won Super Bowl XLI with the team in 2006-07. He retired as the NFL’s career record holder in forced fumbles (52).
Matt Forte welcomes Robert Mathis to the Sports Spectrum Podcast to talk about his journey of faith in Christ, the worst year of his life in 2014, the power of prayer, his favorite quarterback to sack, and the Colts’ culture.
Robert Mathis, who spent all of his 14 seasons with the @Colts and was part of the Super Bowl XLI winning squad, is now a Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. #PFHOF25pic.twitter.com/CErpQyajCL
