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DUNN-omite!

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It seems that the lines between the music industry and sports worlds get more blurred each year. Such was the case at Falcon Warrick Dunn’s Foundation Gala Monday (Oct. 1) at the Westin Buckhead.

Songwriter/performer Ne-Yo (you know, the one that lives to channel Michael Jackson and penned that “to the left, to the left” Beyoncé hit “Irreplaceable”) managed to upstage the soft-spoken namesake of the event. It seems that every five minutes someone was asking the musical phenom to pose for a picture, and he graciously obliged. (Random thought: I wonder if restaurateur Tom Catherall landed the Beatles memorabilia he vied for in the silent auction?)

Dunn made sporadic appearances throughout the night, but he must have been busy backstage preparing for the less-than-impressive Falcons fashion show that he headlined. The clothes were okay, and players Keith Brooking and Chris Crocker certainly got their share of catcalls, but I’m sure I wasn’t the only female waiting for a glimpse of half-naked hottie DeAngelo Hall, who was a no-show for the show (maybe he’s still mad about that $100,000 fine for a few blowups during the Carolina game).

Well, what the fashion show lacked was made up for by the fabulous food. The VIP reception featured an open bar and delectable edibles such as to-die-for crab cakes, yummy smoked salmon, and prawns that seemed big enough for a forklift. And that was just the beginning.
The main reception included tasty sushi, chicken skewers, and fresh fruit. That was followed by a great dessert spread that included chocolate fondue and fruit, crème brulee, cake, and mousse.

For the record I didn’t eat all of that, but I guess you can tell that I was hungry. All I have to say is kudos to the caterer! The best part was knowing that the $125-a-ticket affair raised money for Dunn’s annual donation of furnished homes to single parents, just in time for the holidays. He does that every year in honor of his police-officer mother who was gunned down in the line of duty when he was 18. That’s just so sweet of him to do that. In light of recent Falcons headlines it’s certainly refreshing to see a “dirty bird” in such a positive light!