Posted on 03/31/2009 8:24:04 PM PDT by STARWISE
The White House has invited recently retired NFL Coach Tony Dungy, whose outspoken Christian faith fueled his 2007 support for a gay marriage ban and has won accolades from evangelical leaders, to join its Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. News has learned.
The invitation is likely to draw praise from conservative evangelical groups and criticism from liberals and gay rights activists.
Dungy has long been active with evangelical Christian charities like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Prison Crusade Ministry, along with other nonprofit groups, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the United Way. Leading the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, he became the first black coach to win the Super Bowl.
The White House press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Officials with the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships would not confirm the invitation to Dungy, but his publicist said rumors of the invitation in Washington were true.
"I can confirm that Tony was contacted by the advisory council and asked to join," said Todd Starowitz, a publicist at Dungy's book publisher, in an E-mail message this morning. "He has yet to make a decision if he will accept the offer."
The White House is expected to announce the final 10 members of its faith council this week. It had announced 15 members of the council when it unveiled its Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in February.
The soft-spoken Dungy sparked controversy in 2007 by endorsing an Indiana ballot initiative to ban gay marriage and similar legal arrangements for gay couples. "I feel like telling people when they look at this issue of same-sex marriage . . . I'm not on anybody's side," Dungy said at a 2007 banquet sponsored by the Indiana Family Institute, a conservative Christian group associated with Focus on the Family. "I'm on the Lord's side."
At the event, Dungy said he "embraced" the Indiana Family Institute's support for the gay marriage ban. "IFI is saying what the Lord says," Dungy said, accepting the group's Friend of the Family Award. "You can take that and you can make the decision on which way you want to be."
"We're not trying to downgrade anyone else," Dungy added. "But we're trying to promote the family—family values the Lord's way."
Dungy has often cited his Christian faith's central role in his life, including in his bestselling 2007 book Quiet Strength. On the night of his 2007 Super Bowl victory, Dungy said that he was most proud of being one of the "Christian coaches showing that you can win doing it the Lord's way."
Tony D. is not just a good man, he's a great and godly man. I'm sure he feels he can contribute his values to this White House, but I halfway hope he turns it down because it's so obvious that his attempts would likely be futile. But I guess there's always hope.
He voted for Obama....
Im a big fan I bet he’s Black first I hope he turns it down though
Tony...if you do it....wash yourself with a double bleach solution, and scrub down with borax afterwards.
Indianapolis is going to miss Tony. I’m going to miss him. A class act and the leader of a fine group of men.
What?
Jim Wallis is a heretic and false teacher. A champion of the apostate Emerging Church.
I bet he takes the job to help a brother out
But did he cheat on his taxes? If not bye byeeeee.
Are you sure about that? I don't believe he did.
I heard an interview where he said it....I was SOOOO disappointed.
In fact....I think it was on the interview he did with Rush regarding his book. (I think it was on Rush....but, it was about his new book.)
If that's true (and I'm not calling you a liar), then I'm disappointed as well. Really disappointed.
p.s. Please come back to the Bucs. Tampa needs you.
I understand that a lot of people are disappointed but who did Jesus hang out with? He hung out with the “sick” (sinners). Pray for Tony that he will boldly proclaim the Gospel to BO and maybe we can see that man be converted to a new believer in Christ.
I know it seems impossible but nothing is impossible with God.
Diane Baillargeon, President & CEO, Seedco, a secular national operating intermediary New York, NY
~~~~
A secular national operating intermediary .. ??
See her at the 17:00 mark on the left bottom of screen.
http://fora.tv/2007/09/25/Urban_Conversations_Strengthening_the_Middle_Class#chapter_02
As a former resident, I agree.
Gruden was such a sparkplug when
he came in .. what happened ?
I think Dungy’s now totally devoted
to his family and his Christian
good works.
Tony, please don’t go to the WH.
From your keyboard to the ear of God.
Go suck a lemon, Glazers Brothers.
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