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."
Despite the poo-pooing by some of the racial achievement of Dungy and Smith, I think it's wonderful that two African-Americans have achieved this remarkable moment in time.
It should be shouted from the roof tops that in America, those whose descendent's who were once considered less that human have achieved the highest levels of their profession.
I embrace the achievement and it makes me even prouder of my country and even prouder of the Founders who created a system that could so swiftly adapt to rectify a social injustice.
Good day for the country IMHO.
Okay. Then tell me what it is that he is "more proud" of?
He did state he was more proud of being Christian than something. Being black is the inferred something given the context of his statement and the question he was asked.
The leftist-atheist-oriented media will ignore that one. So will the race-baiters and hucksters who try to divide people by race.
He said he was more proud of doing it the lord's way than of being the FIRST African Americans. That's what he said, and it's a huge difference.
Boy, Dungy is going to have to come out for the Kyoto treaty or something else in the liberal orthodoxy real quick or they will un-annoint him as a saviour of modern America like they've been doing for the last two weeks. (Of course, Dungy actually IS a great role model but not for the reasons the media knows about).
No, the proper thing to infer is being the FIRST African Americans....
Bus seat is a reference to Rosa Parks and the 60s mentality among black activists.
No, my friend...YOU read it more carefully. The word FIRST pops up many times. He said their proud of being the FIRST African Americans but more proud of doing it the Lord's way. That's a long way from he's more proud of being Christian than of being black.
Eactly, and as a hoosier myself I AM PROUD; in more than one way!
Well..duhhh...of course I knew that. What is wrong with you people?
You just have to admire someone who would use the biggest moment of their life to witness for Jesus Christ rather than talk about themselves and their team. I admire this man sooooooo much. What a role model for a generation of black AND white kids.
Not that huge of a difference. You could easily infer the headline from that statement.
Seems to me he is "more proud" of Christ (As an example) showing them how to win the Lord's way.
If there was no Christ where is their "doing it the Lord's way" coming from?
Hence "more proud" of taking and using their faith in Christ than being PC token coaches.
Plenty of coaches cuss and yell but I figure the subtleness of their coaching style is inspired by their faith.
The last super bowl coach I can remember being this outspoken about the Lord was the great Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys.
You stated this headline is "dangerous", what the heck does that mean? Dangerous because a black man puts his faith ahead of his race? Dangerous to who and how? I don't see the problem.
Explain why the headline is dangerous and then maybe we will understand where you are coming from. Because I sure don't.
Nothing is wrong with us, it is just that the question you posed suggested a certain amount of ignorance.
That is exactly what he said or implied through his quote( though I think explictily..). That he was proud of being an African American Coach but MORE proud that His Lord, Christ was guiding him (and Lovie S.) in their lives/coaching! You can't take that quote any other way, and since I am a Hoosier, I happen to have known about the Coach's strong faith for years..
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