Well-known soccer coach Tony Dungy is thought for his dedication to soccer in addition to his character, compassion and religion.
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Dungy, a former NFL defensive again who coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts, additionally spoke overtly about his biblical views and what’s most essential in life.
In a latest interview with CBN Information, Dungy revealed the most important lesson he believes God has taught him throughout his decades-long profession in soccer.
“Our mom's favourite verse within the Bible that she handed all the way down to us was Matthew 16:26, 'What shall it revenue a person if he positive factors the entire world and loses his soul?'” he mentioned. “And sadly, I've seen quite a lot of that in 30 years within the Nationwide Soccer League.
Dungy continued, “I've seen younger males climb the ladder as excessive as you would climb, get every little thing you may think about from a sophisticated perspective — recognition, fame, cash, notoriety and take a look at them from the within and say, 'Boy, there's one thing lacking, and that's not good.'
Watch Dungy clarify:
The NFL legend mentioned he doesn't need to expertise the identical loss. Moreover, Dungy wished to stop all of the gamers on his workforce from feeling so deeply disconnected. That's why he despatched a strong message to each rookie who got here onto his roster.
“Once I got here into our rookie class yearly, I might say the identical factor: 'Benefit from the spoils of the Nationwide Soccer League. That's nice. Sure, you may present to your households, your dad and mom, you are able to do quite a lot of issues, but when that's all you care about, you're going to be in shock on the finish of the day.'”
Dungy mentioned he needs gamers to know they want a supply from which they will get “actual satisfaction,” saying it “needs to be non secular.” Years later, he mentioned former gamers nonetheless method him to precise their appreciation for that steerage, explaining that on the time they didn't at all times know what he meant, however got here to grasp higher the true worth he inspired them to position within the Almighty .
“These are the letters. [are] actually, actually gratifying,” he mentioned.
Dungy's feedback to CBN Information come as he plans to current the Bart Starr Award to Pittsburgh Steelers security Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr. The Bart Starr Award is given to an NFL participant who “greatest exemplifies excellent character and management at house, on the sphere, and locally.”
“The gamers vote on it, which is essential to them,” Dungy mentioned. “Given to an individual who demonstrates excessive management and group service.”
He described Fitzpatrick as a person who actually suits that description.
“He was traded from the Miami Dolphins, the No. 1 draft choose, performed on the College of Alabama, gained a nationwide championship. So I had all these accolades,” Dungy mentioned, including that Fitzpatrick's choice was well-deserved. “[He has] solely the center of a servant.”
Dungy mentioned he has been lucky sufficient to teach 5 males who’ve acquired the award and has been amongst a gaggle of individuals to current the award to the annual winner over the previous decade.
He’ll be a part of Athletes in Motion at Christian Ministries' 2024 Tremendous Bowl Breakfast on Feb. 10 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas to current the award to Fitzpatrick.
“The breakfast itself is a promotion of the gospel,” Dungy mentioned, noting that amid the festivities surrounding the Tremendous Bowl, there’s a presentation of biblical fact.
It's an occasion that pulls 5,000 to six,000 individuals who will hear lots about soccer, however extra importantly hear the gamers focus on their religion.
“Participant after participant they're going to speak about their relationship with Lord, perhaps the way it began,” Dungy mentioned. “Some unbelievable tales have simply occurred with it, and it's a gospel outreach that lets folks know that Christ is the reply to a lot of our issues, and there's at all times a gospel invitation on the finish.”
Be taught extra concerning the 2024 Tremendous Bowl Breakfast right here.
