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."
Joe Gibbs!!!!
nice article. personally, i am taking bets on how long it will be until a superbowl team has a white starting running back.
My 10-year-old caught that also and thought it was completely retarded.
then there's...
Dung heap=Crass
I was at the Post Office the other day to get some stamps. The guy in front of me asked for commemoratives, and the clerk mentioned the Ella Fitzgerald commemorative. I heard that, and I immediately asked for it. Imagine my disgust when I saw that although it had her picture and name on it, it wasn't a commemorative for her, it was actually a commemorative for the fact that she wasn't white!"Black Heritage!" Thanks for including me OUT! . . . and thanks for denigrating her by suggesting that she only mattered because she was black! She mattered because she was uniquely talented at what she did - and talented in a unique way.
Well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black... even though the kettle is more proud of heating water the Lord's way.
Here is a man that has his priorities straight. I was so moved when he spoke last night. What a great example.
Precisely. This is the not-so-subtle perpetuation of racism.
"I bet Nantz knew what he was doing."
I think you're right. He simply said there was a "social" significance to the occasion, which is different from going straight into the racial issue. In doing so, he served up a nice pitch which Dungy hit out of the park. Dungy did not express pride in personal blackness (Why should he? No one has control over his race.) but in being an African-American coach, i.e. earning a leadership position, and in maintaining his faith in a rather hostile environment. Dungy and Smith are gentlemen of the highest order and examples to people of all races.
His testimony to the importance of faith and character is a huge example to everyone, regardless of race.
The headline accurately represents the coaches views.
Your claim that the headline is disingenuous is therefor incorrect.
disingenuous // adj. having secret motives; dishonest; insincere. disingenuously adv. disingenuousness n.
I don't have a corner...my only beeof was with the headline writer. That's all.
The headline is disingenous. He essentially said he was more proud that they won by running the team on Christian principles, not that he was more proud of Christ. There is a subtle difference.
Thank you. That was my only point.
Likewise, Lovie Smith deserves respect and admiration for taking his team back to the glory of it's heyday, when the Bears were winning NFL championships and of course the Super Bowl in '86.
Both men are winners, IMO. Would that more of their Afro brethren emulate their example, instead of this hip-hop gangsta stuff they seem to be into. Hard work and love of your fellow man goes a lot further than drive-by shootings and dealing crack on the streets.
Another great man. Thank you.
MSM says comments on Christ not as welcome at SB as a Jackson/Timberlake wardrobe malfunction.
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