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."
Same here at our place.
I also found it interesting when one of the commentators made a remark about how they gave credit to "Their" God.
What a great example these guys are, regardless of what color your skin happens to be.
"Hello? Operator this is an emergency - connect me to the nearest office of the ACLU!"
Anyone want to set an over/under on -
A. How long until the first DBM bit whining about how all this Super Bowl "evangelizing" is "intolerant"?
B. How long until the first race baiter pops up to question Tony Dungy's "blackness" because he talked about God and put his faith first, and didn't grab his crotch, talk "street", drop the f-bomb every other word and say that being black was the only thing that mattered?
Now that I think of it. I don't want them to. It would cause people to blaspheme.
Somewhere today is the headline, "Dungy Disrespects Non-Christian Religions."
Indeed he is a class act.
I didn't hear either coach thank the grand pimp of racism, Jesse Jackson. Maybe I missed it.
I bet Nantz knew what he was doing. Jim Nantz is a good guy, a big supporter of Bush and a Republican donor.
Reread the article. Dungy said he was more proud that he and Lovie showed they could win doing it the Lords way, than he was at being two black coaches.
Martin Luther King, Jr., looked to the day when people would be judged by their character rather than the color of their skin, and when we live in a color-blind society. Considering all the twittering by the white media over this Super Bowl, I guess we're not there yet.
Maybe I'm just missing your point.
Re read it more carefully. He said exactly that.
No doubt. And somebody will be offended that the players actually pray before and after games.
"And we're more proud of that."
Did not see it but looks like it was quoted.
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 [CENSORED] coaches showing that you can win doing it the [CENSORED] way. And we're more proud of that.
This is "quote" what he said. Do you really think the correct way to interpret this is that he's more proud of being Christian than of being black???? That's not what he said.
"..the winning coach said Jesus Christ was more important than any racial moment."
Not only did the coach get a reward of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, there's an even greater reward he has now earned for eternal reward at the bema seat.
Semper Fi Coach!
I'm waiting for the ACLU to get into the act.
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