Nice Guy Finishes First (Warning to hypersensitive atheists: Biblical references herein.)

The Tampa Tribune ^ | Feb 5, 2007 | MARTIN FENNELLY

[bperiwinkle7]

My husband and I heard Tony speak at a small Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting many years ago.

What a gracious and courageous man.

Hallmarked by humility, which the LORD loves, and is a light in this present darkness.

[bondjamesbond]

No "first" in that quote.

It was in the broadcast. Clear as day.

I gotta figure he mis-spoke, though. Not going to hold it against him.

[bondjamesbond]

It was during the broadcast that he said they were the first. But those speeches are always pretty chaotic, so it's not surprising that things don't come out right every now and then. I wouldn't hold it against him.

[bondjamesbond]

Repeating......Tony didn't say they were first.

Aw, c'mon. Don't make me go find this silly thing on You Tube. It doesn't really matter though. Don't get hung up on that.

[tacticalogic]

What a great testimony. Classy guy!

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have been part of the title of the published article.

[good old days]

I played it back and he did not say that they were the first Christian coaches.

[cgk]

NFL ping.

[JimRed]

Surely, of the 80 coaches before them, there is at least one Christian.

Pehaps the first outspokenly so.

[induk]

Ah yes, you had your Superbowl over there didn't you. It didn't really get much airplay over this side of the pond, they mentioned it on one of the radio stations I listened to yesterday. Hope you all enjoyed it anyway.

[ohioWfan]

I listened to him, and I didn't hear him say they were the first.........just that they were Christians doing it 'the Lord's way.'

Every Chriatian who cares about football even a little bit knows about Tom Landry and his unwavering testimony for Christ. It doesn't make sense that Tony said he was first does it......even by mistake? Maybe you just inferred it because they were talking about his being the first African American?

I'm not trying to make a 'big deal' out of it. Just aiming for accuracy, that's all.

[Finalapproach29er]

Joe Gibbs/Redskins?

[Redleg Duke]

Vince Lombardi, the driving force behind the concept of a Super Bowl was a devout Christian. So devout, in fact, that he would not allow the Packers to play on Thanksgiving, as he believed they belonged at home with their families on that day!

[Hildy]

Does anyone know who the beautiful woman is?

[A Citizen Reporter]

Why is there such a concerted effort to put the word "first" into Tony Dungy's quote, and then get indignant about it?

I saw this start on the thread last night.

He most certainly did NOT say first. And the way he deflected all of the media hoopla, to a Christian reference was absolutely wonderful.

[Guenevere]

Appreciate the ping!

[lysie]

Wonderful! Thanks, J.

[Northern Yankee]

Always a pleasure!

[Northern Yankee]

Tom Landry, Don Shula, and Vince Lombardi; all very devout Christians.

[rusureitflies?]

Thank you. Your page became our morning devotion. In His Name. Peace I leave with you. Tony: storing up Treasures in Heaven.

[Northern Yankee]

Agreed about Lombardi, but didn't Alex Karras, Joe Schmidt, and the rest of the defense just tear them apart in 1962, on Thanksgiving Day? (Nov. 22, 1962)

The "Look Out Bart" block was established!