Dungy's Doing the Right's Dirty Work
The much-loved former NFL player/coach is sullying his reputation.
Former NFL coach Tony Dungy has been admired and respected most of his life. The former NFL player and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been universally lauded for his outspokenness about the lack of Black and minority representation in NFL coaching and executive ranks.
For all of the goodwill and positive sowing Coach Dungy has done, he is working furiously to undo it all under the guise of errant Christian witnessing.
Currently a commentator for NBC Sports, Dungy’s most recent public statements have been less about Christian testimony and inclusiveness advocacy, and more about preaching from the right wing’s dark hymnal.
One instance is his tweeting a thoroughly discredited report about school districts putting litter boxes in restroom to accommodate students who identify as cats. This ridiculous, but oft-repeated urban legend has been making the reactionary rounds for a while, and Dungy foolishly repeated the tale.
It is despicable enough to minimize the plight of LGBTQ+ students by passing on lies, but he went as low or lower in a speech to the anti-abortion organization March For Life. Wielding the falsest of equivalencies, he attempted to compare the recent on-field collapse of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin to abortions:
“Those prayers were answered. Damar’s recovering now, he’s home, he’s been released from the hospital. But what’s the lesson in that? An unbelievable thing happened that night in a professional football game with millions of dollars of ticket money on the line. That game was cancelled. Why? Because a life was at stake. And people wanted to see that life saved. These are people who aren’t necessarily religious, they got together and called on God. Well, that should be encouraging us, because that’s exactly why we’re here. Because every day in this country, innocent lives are at stake. The only difference is they don’t belong to a famous athlete, and they’re not seen on national TV. But those lives are still important to God and in God’s eyes.”
Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with abortion, to equate a football player’s cardiac arrest and the encouraging public response to the belief that abortion is murder is nonsensical and inane.
Dungy has the right to believe whatever he chooses. He can advocate for the “Right-To-Life.” He can, as he has for many years, speak against LGBTQ+ rights, even though it seems less than Christ-like to attack a group of people because he doesn’t agree with their existence.
He can speak and feel as he chooses.
But as a very public employee of a very public entity like NBC Sports, there are possible consequences and repercussions.
Many are already calling for his firing from his commentating duties.
Whether that happens or not, it would be wise for Dungy to remember that public commentary from a public figure can have public consequences.