2008 Woodie Awards
A True Champion: How Tony Dungy Persevered to Win "The Lord's Way"
Zack Gugenheim
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Sports
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On Sat. Feb. 4, 2007 Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy became one of the select few coaches to ever win a Super Bowl Title. He and his Colts squad defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win the franchise's first Super Bowl Championship since moving to Indianapolis, as Dungy became the first African-American Head Coach to ever win a Super Bowl. These two facts alone (accompanied by Quarterback Peyton Manning's quest to win a Super Bowl), were enough to drive the media into a frenzy during the two week preparations. However, it was something else that truly motivated Dungy.
Although he acknowledged his accomplishment becoming the first African-American Head Coach to win the Super Bowl, at the end of the night, he disclosed his true accomplishment, winning "The Lord's Way." As an Evangelical Christian myself, I was amazed that he was so willing to even say that comment, as there always seems to be controversy, anger and frustration from other people. It's for those reasons in which I find it so hard to share my faith with others. However, Dungy was bold enough to say in front of a nationally televised audience, that he dedicated his team to God. Not only does he say it, he backs it up on and off the field of how it is his dedication to God, not football, is what drives him.
Coach Dungy's Head Coaching experience began in 1996 when he was signed to a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout the years, he began building a team that would soon be a championship team. Ultimately, his efforts helped the Buccaneers win their first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history. Unfortunately, Dungy didn't win a ring because he had been fired the year before. Although he had built the team, he would never get credit it for it, and was forced to move on. He went to Indianapolis to coach the Colts, and instead of complaining about getting shafted from a chance at glory, he was patient and knew that, "in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Although he acknowledged his accomplishment becoming the first African-American Head Coach to win the Super Bowl, at the end of the night, he disclosed his true accomplishment, winning "The Lord's Way." As an Evangelical Christian myself, I was amazed that he was so willing to even say that comment, as there always seems to be controversy, anger and frustration from other people. It's for those reasons in which I find it so hard to share my faith with others. However, Dungy was bold enough to say in front of a nationally televised audience, that he dedicated his team to God. Not only does he say it, he backs it up on and off the field of how it is his dedication to God, not football, is what drives him.
Coach Dungy's Head Coaching experience began in 1996 when he was signed to a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout the years, he began building a team that would soon be a championship team. Ultimately, his efforts helped the Buccaneers win their first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history. Unfortunately, Dungy didn't win a ring because he had been fired the year before. Although he had built the team, he would never get credit it for it, and was forced to move on. He went to Indianapolis to coach the Colts, and instead of complaining about getting shafted from a chance at glory, he was patient and knew that, "in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)