The announcement of Tony Dungy’s retirement as head coach of the NFL Indianapolis Colts leaves a great gap in the world of professional football. There is no doubt that Dungy will be remembered for his lifetime of extraordinary coaching skills, both on and off the field.
As a player, assistant coach, head coach and Super Bowl champion, Dungy enjoyed success built on a reputation of hard work, fair play and integrity. His influence impacted his teammates, players, sports commentators and fellow coaches. But it didn’t stop when the clock ran out.
Dungy has always extended his reach beyond the field and into the community, working to promote strong families and encouraging men to be the best fathers they can be. His work with All Pro Dad, a division of the national non-profit organization, Family First, has been an encouragement and inspiration to thousands of fathers and kids around the world.
Anyone can say, ‘spend time with your kids, love your wife, be a man of honor,’ But when Tony Dungy says it, men not only listen, they’re inspired to actually do it. They believe in Tony because his life reflects his beliefs.
One dad who brought his kids to an All Pro Dad Father & Kids Experience hosted by the Indianapolis Colts put it this way: “It’s great that Coach Dungy is truly involved, and genuinely believes in the importance of the cause. He is not merely a spokesman on a brochure; he lives the message and projects it.”
The NFL’s loss is the private sector’s gain. Now that Dungy has retired from football, he’ll have more time to reach more fathers as he continues his second decade of work with Family First and All Pro Dad.
I want to congratulate Tony on an amazing NFL career, and thank him for contributing his coaching and mentoring skills to help fathers through All Pro Dad during that time. He is an extraordinary man, and it’s been humbling and inspiring to watch him in action.
Tony Dungy has been and will continue to be a true champion – both on and off the field.
– Mark W. Merrill
To send a note of congratulations to Coach Tony Dungy, follow this link.
For an NFL Films recap of Coach Tony Dungy’s career, click here
