Legendary Coach Tony Dungy Inducted into the Hall of Fame
At his hall of fame induction speech Friday night, Tony Dungy reflected on his journey from an undrafted player to a Super Bowl-winning coach, according the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
"The Lord has truly led me on a wonderful journey through 31 years in the NFL—through some temporary disappointments to some incredible joys," Dungy said.
The former Indianapolis Colts head coach quoted in his speech at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame stadium in Canton, Ohio.
"What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul."
Dungy did not have an easy path on his way to being a great football player and hall of fame inductee. As an undrafted player in 1977, then being fired from his first head-coaching job 25 years afterwards, he has learned to walk by faith and not by sight.
He was overlooked in 12 rounds of the NFL draft after his college career at the University of Minnesota.
"I was devastated," he said. "But it is just one example of God's plans being better than our plans."
Dungy grew up in a Christian home and he learned the Bible from his parents, but it was Pittsburgh Stealer teammate Donnie Shell who showed him how to live out his faith in every area of his life.
"Donnie took me under his wing, and I learned so much from him - not just about playing safety, but about being a Christian athlete, a husband, father and teammate," he said.
Dungy continued the rest of his career as an NFL football coach spending four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he was the first African American defensive coordinator.
Team Chaplain Tom Lamphere spent a great deal with Dungy, meeting with him weekly.
"Tom met with me weekly, going through the book of Nehemiah to give me a picture of biblical leadership that I would use to guide my teams," Dungy said.
Fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a rough playoff loss, he was quickly hired by the Indianapolis Colts. Paired with quarterback Peyton Manning, the team made seven consecutive playoff appearances and Dungy became the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl.
Dungy recognized key players that were at the ceremony, saying, "you don't win in the NFL without players, and was I ever blessed with players."
The culmination of an unbelievable night. God has blessed me and my family tremendously. pic.twitter.com/2vUKP1zXsd
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) August 7, 2016
