Posted on 02/05/2007 9:33:13 AM PST by Patriot28
Super Bowl XLI had been hyped as a major social milestone in U.S. history, since for the time, the head coaches of both teams were black.
But when the game was over and the Indianapolis Colts had defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17, the winning coach said Jesus Christ was more important than any racial moment.
During the nationally televised post-game show on CBS, coach Tony Dungy was asked specifically about the "social significance."
Jim Nantz of CBS Sports: This is one of those moments, Tony, where there is also social significance in this victory, and to have your hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tell me what this means to you right now.
Tony Dungy: I'll tell you what. I'm proud to be representing African-American coaches, to be the first African-American to win this. It means an awful lot to our country. But again, more than anything, I've said it before, Lovie Smith and I, not only the first two African-Americans, but Christian coaches showing that you can win doing it the Lord's way. And we're more proud of that.
The Associated Press reported Dungy's comments about God in stories it moved on its wire service, but the Bloomberg News Service only published the portion regarding African-Americans, and edited out the mention of Christian coaches.
Colts' owner Jim Irsay credited God with the victory as he held the sparkling Vince Lombardi trophy in his hands.
"Now there's an awful lot of shining glory, even more than last time up here," Irsay said. "But we're giving it all to God again because that's what got us here ... sticking together and believing that we could, and I know God has looked after us on this journey and bonded us into such a tight family."
Dungy has had a close relationship with Bears' head coach Lovie Smith since 1996, when Dungy hired Smith to coach linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"My relationship, first, is with Jesus Christ, and he is the center of my life," said Smith when asked about his faith earlier this week. "I try to live a Christian life. I would like for players to know my faith based on what they see on a day-to-day basis."
CBS anchor James Brown, himself a strong believer in Jesus Christ, told the Baptist Press this year's Super Bowl could be a welcome change in a sport that hasn't had that many Christian players and announcers in the past.
"Personally, I'm gratified to see that change," Brown said. "I think their faith is a wonderful example to see and I think both men are sterling examples of what character coaches should be. That's what we should be promoting."
That might be....but that's not what he said. My point was the headline was disingenuous. I don't like the media interpreting for me, that's all.
Tony Dungy: I'll tell you what. I'm proud to be representing African-American coaches, to be the first African-American to win this. It means an awful lot to our country. But again, more than anything, I've said it before, Lovie Smith and I, not only the first two African-Americans, but Christian coaches showing that you can win doing it the Lord's way. And we're more proud of that.
Thats okay. If you are not religious I suppose it offends you. Thats just Tony Dungy and he's not ashamed of it..But the title is not the exact words, the sentiment of it is.
Word Count:
African-American = 3
The Lord = 1
Christian = 1
NO, it doesn't offend me one bit...and I'm Jewish..what offends me is the media, ANY MEDIA, interpeting the news for me.
Okay.
"waiting for the ACLU to get into the act"
to bend an old Mort Sahl joke, the ACLU is going to sue both coaches for not having any Muslims on their staffs.
(Sahl said about 45 years ago, that he got a call from the
NAACP wanting to know why he didn't have any blacks in his act.--actually the only funny thing he ever said)
The man is CLEARLY stating that he's more proud to be Christian than black.
why does he have to have ANY label put upon him.
You make this statement after repeatly denying that he put his faith ahead of his skin color. Why can't we put the Christian label on this man? Clearly he is going out of his way in his interviews with the press to state such.
I believe it's clear in YOUR head, but that's not what he said.
Your post is extremely disingenous. Tony Dungy did indeed say he was more proud of being Christian than being the first black coach to win.
Why is pointing out that this fine man can look past color to Christ, who is indeed color-blind, "twisting it to look ugly".
I know you're not Christian, but being more proud of Christian than being black is definitely NOT ugly!!!!!
Wow. My opinion of him just went way up. Way to go, Coach!
First, he answered the question then he used a transition, which is a rhetorical device you see public speakers use to "get on message." The transition was "But again, more than anything."
You also have to look at the context of the message he transitioned to. Coach Dungy knew this message would be, to some extent, unwelcome.
The next rhetorical device Coach Dungy used is repetition. He concluded his statement with "And we're more proud of that." To stay on message you need to state the message ans then restate it.
The message is clear to me - Coach Dungy is more "proud" of his relationship with God than his accomplishment viewed in the context of his skin color.
I was so happy to hear and see this. Faith in God is our foundation.
My interpretation is the same as every other poster on this thread but you. I guess "More" means "less" in Hildy world.
Absolutely! That's what made their responses to these questions so refreshing. They didn't get where they are by political correctness -- they got where they are by the quality of their character, irrespective of the color of their skin. THAT is the real story.
Whatever...obviously you guys need this in your corner more than I need to argue the intent.
Do you think Coacg Dungy's intended to express that he was more proud of something other than his relationship with Godt when he transitioned and stayed on an unwelcomed message?
Hmmm...didn't know that. I hope you are right. Kudos to him if that is the case.
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