This week, we asked our readers and followers who their favorite Florida State athlete of all-time is.
From the Staff
Charlie Ward is a very close second, but for me, the answer is former running back Warrick Dunn. I was 8 years old when Dunn went down the sideline in Gainesville and then in the Orange Bowl, put FSU in field goal range against Nebraska.
Dunn is not only FSU’s all-time leading rusher and one of the most dynamic players ever to play at Florida State, but he’s also a great guy. Dunn, whose mother was killed in the line of duty as a police officer when he was a teenager in Louisiana, also has a foundation that provides single mothers a down payment on a house. I’m very happy with my two little girls, but if I had a son, I would have named him Warrick.
-Mike Ferguson
Editor of Noled Out
Written Responses
I imagine answers to this question will vary but will have more than a handful of football players. As someone who worked with the basketball program, I had friends who played and could choose one of them. I watched Al Thornton go from an unheralded freshman to put in the time and work in the gym to become a lottery pick but many athletes could make that same argument playing a Division I sport.
From a fan’s perspective (which is what I imagined this question was attended) I will choose Warrick Dunn. As a young kid many of my favorite memories of Florida State had Warrick Dunn doing Warrick Dunn like things seemingly when it mattered most. Many plays could be mentioned, but it is the man he became off the field that made him one of my favorites. Building homes for single mothers (he lost his own mother, a police officer, before ever attending FSU) and just being a generally good citizen in the communities of Tampa, Atlanta, and Shreveport. Thanks for the memories Warrick.
-Randall Hoffman
Davenport, FL
FSU class of 2004
Twitter Responses
Truly one of the greats….
@Noled_Out All time favorite—Derrick Brooks!!!
— Jennifer Cruce (@262Cruce) July 31, 2015
@DJCURTI5 @Noled_Out Derrick Brooks
— nole infantry (@nolesince92) August 5, 2015
Telvin Smith is an underrated guy both in FSU history and in the NFL…
@Noled_Out if I'd been alive I would probably say Deion, but in my lifetime: Telvin Smith
— IHearTheWhispers (@NolesVikesMavs) August 5, 2015
Peter Warrick was so much fun to watch…
@Noled_Out Pdub.
— Jimbro Fisher (@Jimbro_Fisher) August 5, 2015
@Noled_Out —-> @Pdub80 is my all-time FAV Nole
— Nole Since Day 1 (@born2chop) August 5, 2015
Not a player, but whatever….
@Noled_Out Bowden. Carrying the ACC all those years required superhuman strength
— Chief Josheola (@SpiritualBacon) August 5, 2015
The highest Seminole ever selected in the NFL Draft…
@Noled_Out Jameis. Nobody like him.
— Curtis (@DJCURTI5) August 5, 2015
Jameis. RT @Noled_Out: #NoleFam, who is your favorite #FSU athlete of all-time? Long responses to NoledOut@gmail.com. #NoleNation
— TJ Pittinger (@TJ_Pittinger) August 5, 2015
@Rcarpentieri1 @Noled_Out J.A.M.E.I.S W.I.N.S.T.O.N.
— Karen Johnson (@KarenKeyLargo) August 5, 2015
Mr. Deion Sanders was the most popular answer….
@Noled_Out Before my time but….. PRIMETIME
— WINSlow (@fsuboy1523) August 5, 2015
@Noled_Out Deion, but Shad is a really close second.
— BobLoblaw113 (@BobLoblaw113) August 5, 2015
@TJ_Pittinger @Noled_Out too many to choose from. But probably Prime Time Neon Deion Sanders. #fsufootball
— Michael Muller (@M_O_Muller) August 5, 2015
@Noled_Out Deion is my fav. All time.
— B Hath (@BHath4) August 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/ween87/status/629058474069114880
@Noled_Out Deion.
— Aaron Hafner (@ahaf21) August 5, 2015
One of the greats from the early Bobby Bowden era…
@TJ_Pittinger @Noled_Out Ron Simmons.
— Derick Schroeppel (@schroepnuts) August 5, 2015
The only non-football selection…
@Noled_Out Buster Posey
— L.C. Burchett (@lukasburchett) August 5, 2015
Hard to go against the school’s first Heisman winner and national championship quarterback…
@Noled_Out Pure football impact Deion or Jameis. Overall (everything from football, leadership & image) Charlie Ward.
— Robert Carpentieri (@Rcarpentieri1) August 5, 2015
@Singleshot25 @Noled_Out I have to go with Charlie Ward. But man I could list about 10 guys on this list.
— Anthony (@carpediemfsu) August 5, 2015
@Noled_Out I really enjoyed watching Charlie Ward.
— Wayne Richardson (@Sauteeman) August 5, 2015
That’s Greg Reid for those of you who don’t Twitter….
@TJ_Pittinger @Noled_Out Easily said this a million times @G5Takeover Most Dynamic & Talented Player I've ever watched. Emotionally charged
— Tobi muller (@tobi_muller) August 5, 2015
Probably wouldn’t have a third championship without him…
@Noled_Out Timmy Jernigan
— Brett Bassett (@BBassett33) August 5, 2015
Amazing Warrick Dunn didn’t get more votes…
@Noled_Out Warrick Dunn.
— De'Rrick (@ThyCallMeD) August 5, 2015
Sometimes, you can’t choose just one…
@Noled_Out Too difficult. Dunn, Derrick Brooks, Deion, Carruthers, Shadetree, Ward, Weinke, P Dub, Dawsey, Big Play Tommy P., T Buck, Amp
— CRE (@EvergladesNole) August 5, 2015
Next Week’s Question
What would it take for you to consider FSU’s 2015 season a success? Send your tweets to @Noled_Out. You can send long responses to NoledOut@gmail.com.
Thanks to all who participated this past week!
