Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Atlanta Falcons Football Stars Also Shine in Life
From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at www.ajc.com
Vick, Dunn perform acts of kindness
Inspirational teen visits quarterback
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/13/05
Warrick Dunn's philanthropy is well known, but even for somebody who has made a habit of touching lives, the Falcons tailback's most recent gesture, literally, resonated deep. Quarterback Michael Vick, meanwhile, went long distance with his voice, not his legs or arm, to make arguably one of the most crucial scores of his life.
Kenny Gibson, a Southern California 17-year-old paralyzed while playing football last year, watched Vick, his idol and the person credited with inspiring him to live, play against the New Orleans Saints from the sideline at the Georgia Dome on Monday night.
Gibson was set to speak to Vick briefly before kickoff, making it the second time they were to meet in as many days. Gibson first met Vick after a closed practice Sunday, capping a long-sought face-to-face encounter.
In November 2004, Vick, through the When U Dream A Dream foundation, called Gibson in the hospital to encourage him to resume eating and to pursue a long life. Gibson had stopped eating, saying he wanted to succumb to his condition, which left him without the use of his legs.
"He told me to keep my head up, but the main thing when he called me a year ago was that I was an inspiration to him," Gibson said. "That's what helped me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I'm glad I can have it."
Dunn, meanwhile, awarded the 55th, 56th and 57th houses through his foundation to single parents last week. The highlight of Dunn's longstanding Homes for the Holidays program was him communicating through sign language to KaSheena and Keyonal Singleton, the hearing-impaired daughters of Melinda Hutchins, as they were awarded a fully furnished home in Gainesville.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank and coach Jim Mora were on hand for Dunn's project in Gainesville. He also awarded homes to families in Atlanta and Roswell.
Since 1997, personally and with the help of sponsors, Dunn annually awards homes to single mothers in metropolitan Atlanta, Tampa and his hometown of Baton Rouge, La., in tribute to his mother, Betty Smothers, a police officer killed in the line of duty.
Nearly 150 children and their mothers have been awarded homes through Dunn's program.
Vick, Dunn perform acts of kindness
Inspirational teen visits quarterback
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/13/05
Warrick Dunn's philanthropy is well known, but even for somebody who has made a habit of touching lives, the Falcons tailback's most recent gesture, literally, resonated deep. Quarterback Michael Vick, meanwhile, went long distance with his voice, not his legs or arm, to make arguably one of the most crucial scores of his life.
Kenny Gibson, a Southern California 17-year-old paralyzed while playing football last year, watched Vick, his idol and the person credited with inspiring him to live, play against the New Orleans Saints from the sideline at the Georgia Dome on Monday night.
Gibson was set to speak to Vick briefly before kickoff, making it the second time they were to meet in as many days. Gibson first met Vick after a closed practice Sunday, capping a long-sought face-to-face encounter.
In November 2004, Vick, through the When U Dream A Dream foundation, called Gibson in the hospital to encourage him to resume eating and to pursue a long life. Gibson had stopped eating, saying he wanted to succumb to his condition, which left him without the use of his legs.
"He told me to keep my head up, but the main thing when he called me a year ago was that I was an inspiration to him," Gibson said. "That's what helped me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I'm glad I can have it."
Dunn, meanwhile, awarded the 55th, 56th and 57th houses through his foundation to single parents last week. The highlight of Dunn's longstanding Homes for the Holidays program was him communicating through sign language to KaSheena and Keyonal Singleton, the hearing-impaired daughters of Melinda Hutchins, as they were awarded a fully furnished home in Gainesville.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank and coach Jim Mora were on hand for Dunn's project in Gainesville. He also awarded homes to families in Atlanta and Roswell.
Since 1997, personally and with the help of sponsors, Dunn annually awards homes to single mothers in metropolitan Atlanta, Tampa and his hometown of Baton Rouge, La., in tribute to his mother, Betty Smothers, a police officer killed in the line of duty.
Nearly 150 children and their mothers have been awarded homes through Dunn's program.
