Warren Bryant

BRYANT, Warren

Warren Bryant of Smyrna, Georgia passed on October 10, 2021 at the age of 65.

He was preceded in death by his parents Warren and LeaNora Bryant, brother Dwayne Bryant, and sister Paula Smith. He is survived by his wife Vergie Avery Bryant, daughter Consuela Bryant, sisters LaDonna Ashby, Willette Harrison (David), and Debra Bryant, cousin Valerie Bryant, three sisters-in-law: Farris Avery, Darlene Pettigrew, and Letha Jenkins (Alonzo), and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Warren Bryant attended Miami Edison from 1970 to 1973. He was a valuable player on the Basketball, Football and Track and Field teams. He was inducted into the Miami Edison Alumni Hall of Fame in 2019. He was recruited by Fran Curci as an Offensive Lineman at the University of Kentucky. At 6'6" and 275 lbs he became a dominant player for the Wildcats and in the National Football League.

With the Wildcats, he received many honors, as follows:

-Selected All SEC 3 times, 1974-1976.

-Selected to the Walter Camp and Kodak All American teams.

-Received the Jacob Blocking Trophy Award.

-Victorious in the Peach Bowl in 1976.

-Inducted into the SEC Living Legend Hall of Fame, the State of Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame (2016), and the University of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame (2005).

-Received the Kentucky Governor's Cup and was made an official Colonel.

-In 1977, he graduated with a degree in Special Education.

-Named to the Kentucky All-Time Football Team in 1990.

-One of 45 players to have his jersey retired at the University of Kentucky.

Warren had a stellar NFL career lasting from 1977 to 1986.

-6th Overall First Round Draft Pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1977 draft.

-All Rookie Team, 1978.

-Deemed Offensive Lineman of the Year for the Falcons, 1980.

-Started 94 of 104 games.

-Retired in 1986, finishing his last year with the Los Angeles Raiders.

Post-retirement, he returned to Atlanta and began working on another one of his passions, helping the disabled. From 1987 to 2017, he lived his dream. He stated, "I enjoyed my years with the NFL, but my passion was working with the disabled. After the NFL, God blessed me to achieve that passion through supported employment programs for disabled and troubled youth of Cobb County, Georgia." Warren was also involved with the Youth Mentoring Program for Cobb County Community Service Board of Georgia for more than 20 years. This giant of a man had a compassion heart!

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta, 461 Manget St. SE, Marietta, GA 30060.

Memorial Celebration Saturday, October 23, 2021, 1 PM in our Cascade Chapel. Limited seating. Mask required. Services will be live streamed. Murray Brothers, (404) 349-3000, mbfh.com.