ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200087
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: KIRKLAND, WASH.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Eugene Robinson remembers his first impression of Chris Warren.
He was in awe.
``I said to somebody, `Look at that dude catching punts with one hand,''' recalled Robinson, an 11-year veteran free safety for the Seattle Seahawks.
Six years later, Warren is a three-time Pro Bowl running back with four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons for Seattle. The Seahawks think he's every bit as good as Detroit's Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith of Dallas.
Warren had a career year last season when he led the AFC with 1,545 rushing yards.
Warren is the main reason the Seahawks (8-7) have bounced back to win six of seven games and position themselves to make the playoffs for the first time since 1988.
The Seahawks can earn a wild-card berth Sunday if they win in Kansas City (12-3) and if San Diego, Miami or Indianapolis lose.
Warren, 27, has rushed for 1,339 yards and a club-record 15 touchdowns this season. He was at his best Sunday night in the Kingdome against Oakland, when he ran for three touchdowns and had his team-record eighth 100-yard rushing game.
Because the Seahawks-Raiders' game was on national television, the nation's pro football fans got a long look at Warren, too.
``We were just determined to win this game,'' Warren said.
Officially, Warren is a linebacker-sized 6-foot-2, 226-pounder. On game days, dressed in his pads, he's probably closer to 240 pounds.
Because Warren finished his college football career at Ferrum after playing his first two seasons at Virginia, he was overlooked in the 1990 NFL draft. The Seahawks drafted him in the fourth round.
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Former Ferrum standout Chris Warren has 1,339 yardsby CNBand a team-record 15 touchdowns for Seattle. color.