Violence in Baton Rouge brings painful memories to former NFL player as he calls for unity

The shooting deaths of three more police officers in Baton Rouge shocked the nation. However, the story literally hit home even harder for former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back, Warrick Dunn. He grew up in Baton Rouge and is very familiar with the city and gun violence.

During his senior year of high school, Dunn's mother, a Baton Rouge police officer, was shot to death leaving him to raise his five brothers and sisters.

Photo: wdcharities.wordpress.com

After working through the painful memories and taking time to reflect on the events that took place earlier in the day, Dunn released a powerful statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday night.

"We can't just sit around and talk about how horrible all this is — we have to do something. And that means it always starts with the individual," Dunn said. "One of the things I am doing is taking the role of fatherhood very seriously so I can raise a son who makes a positive contribution. And then we have to give justice a chance to work. When people are intentional about their use of guns against others, we have to make sure the message that crime doesn't pay means something."

Dunn also called for lawmakers to step up to the plate when it comes to police accountability and transparency. As well asking them to give meaning to the phrase "crime doesn't pay", taking away the attraction of committing a crime for young criminals and showing that laws will be upheld. Dunn asked that his hometown come together by cooling down and stopping the violence so that they can figure this out.

Warrick Dunn's strength and ability to call on unity within his community comes at a difficult time. This week he will attend a re-sentencing hearing for Kevan Brumfield, the man convicted of killing his mother over 20 years ago.

In his message, Dunn also stressed the importance of youth outreach.

"One of the things I am doing is taking the role of fatherhood very seriously so I can raise a son who makes a positive contribution. I am striving to be there for him emotionally, physically and intellectually. I want to give him something I never had because the statistics proves it makes a difference when a child has an active father in his or her life. And we have to do more to build empathy in children so they have a hard time treating one another badly. It all starts with kids, so we all have to care about kids. Especially kids at risk for never learning how to socially and emotionally relate.

Dunn went on to play for the NFL and founded the Warrick Dunn Charities where he continues to honor his mother legacy by making dreams come true for families.

Source: Violence in Baton Rouge brings painful memories to former NFL player as he calls for unity