Skip to main content

Warrick Dunn gave Watson his childhood home


This photo has been making its way around Twitter with Clemson winning a national title:

That's an 11-year-old Deshaun Watson with his family after then-NFL running back Warrick Dunn donated a house near Atlanta to the Watsons via his charity that builds or rehabbing homes for single-parent families.

Here's more on the story behind the photo from the Associated Press:

"I felt grown having my own room," Watson recalled Saturday. "Just having my own bed, not really being squished, not really worrying about someone sneaking up on me, it was a great moment, a special moment." …

Watson's mother, Deann, raised four kids on her own, the early years spent huddled in a cramped apartment in Gainesville, Ga. One day, Deshaun brought home a note from Habitat for Humanity, laying out a path to home ownership. She jumped at the chance, and put in some 300 hours helping build new houses before they could move in.

When that day finally arrived - Nov. 21, 2006 - Dunn was there with a special surprise. Through his charitable foundation, the ex-running back had fully furnished the four-bedroom, two-bath home, right down to stocking the refrigerator.

For more on Watson and Dunn, read more at Paste BN Sports.