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."
He just blew his invitation to next year's NAALCP meeting.
Wow!
w00t!
Sales of smelling salts just spiked
B - U - M - P !
Wow. Didn't Manning also give God the glory?
When Jim Nance asked that question about the "social significance" of this Super Bowl, everyone in our party of watchers groaned. We cheered when Dungy gave his answer. I bet Nance was sorry he asked the question.
What a great way to represent the State of Indiana.
I was so glad to hear him receive the trophy in that way. God bless Dungy and Smith. They are both winners.
I have the utmost respect for Dungy and Smith. Dungy made the whole racial whores look pathetic in their never ending quest to fracture and divide by means of drawing constant attention to meaningless differences.
I bet Je$$e Jack$on was rolling over in his grave. Oh, sorry -- he's not dead yet.
They should put a picture of Tony Dungy next to the dictionary definition of "class". He was the only reason I was pulling for the Colts.
A humble man who can think past a bus seat.
that is an extremely disingenuous headline...he didn't say he was MORE proud...leave it to our side for taking a wonderful moment and twisting it to look ugly.
Dungy and Smith have been playing down the African-American issue all along, but the MSM keeps pressing them on it.
Im really sick and tired of hearing about the first black coach to win the superbowl. Neither coach really wanted to ride that horse and were more vocal about their Christian beliefs of which the media really didnt want any part of.
I hope they continue their walk with Christ and continue to put the focus on Him rather than a different shade of skin color.
What the hell does that mean? what is happening here at FR??
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