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12/26/05 I was privileged to meet and visit with Tony Dungy in January 2004 in Kansas City, as his team was preparing to play the Chiefs the next day in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Hold that thought... I've always been a Tony Dungy fan. A native of Jackson, Michigan, he starred in basketball and football before accepting a scholarship to play QB for the University of Minnesota. He started from 1973-1976, and for good reason. As an athlete, he was tough and talented, but more importantly, he was smart. Mature and cerebral, he earned the respect of coaches, teammates and opponents. After college, he was undrafted because of his 'size,' so he signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers and although he lacked the height and power of other players at his position, he made the team on the strength of his astute understanding of the defense the Steelers were running and his ability to anticipate situations based on long hours of study and analysis. During his 4-year NFL career he led the team in interceptions in 1978, and even won a Super Bowl ring in 1979. His transition into coaching was a natural one because all Tony Dungy does is get better every year, no matter what. From HS, to college, to the NFL as a player, and now an elite coach of the Super Bowl bound Colts, Dungy gets better every year. Individuals who coach professional sports teams for a living are a unique breed. Their personalities must be fiery enough to contend with the antics of the most pampered athletes. At the same time, they must be modest enough to credibly project their beliefs, teachings, and motivation on a disparate group of human beings and find a way to win, week after week. By now you know that Tony Dungy's 18-year old son was found dead in his apartment on Dec. 22nd, as the result of an apparent suicide. The fact that I interacted with Dungy once and we connected on an issue causes me to observe this tragedy on a more personal level. And as a recipient of a National Fatherhood Award in 2002, I can't imagine how Dungy must feel right now. Universally hailed as a coaching genius, capable of turning moribund situations around, this man of valued intellectual accomplishments and athletic prowess will now face the toughest opponent of his life. Somehow you know he will prevail, as he always does. A picture of humility, Dungy has overcome the odds his entire life. He's at his best when life is at his worst. God Bless Tony Dungy. Even though I never played for you, I sure benefit from your coaching... (c) 2005 Novi
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