A Very Sad Day For Me

From ESPN:

The Indianapolis Colts have scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon, presumably to announce the retirement of coach Tony Dungy.

Foxsports.com reported Monday that Dungy will step down after seven seasons in Indianapolis. The news conference is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET at the team's practice facility in Indianapolis, although the Colts have not given a reason for their announcement.

A source told Foxsports.com that Dungy has talked his decision over with family members and they decided it was the best time for Dungy to step down. Dungy, the source said, was at the team's complex Monday morning saying goodbyes to players and team employees.

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In Dungy's 13 seasons as a head coach, including six with Tampa Bay, he's put together a sparkling resume.

He has 148 career wins, including playoffs, and ranks 19th all-time in victories. He's the only black coach to win a Super Bowl, the first coach in league history to reach the postseason in 10 consecutive seasons and the only coach to preside over six straight seasons of 12 wins or more.

The NFL is losing a great man today and that is not an exaggeration. I knew Coach Dungy on a personal level for a time and whatever you have seen of him on Tee Vee still doesn't tell the tale of how genuine and strong the guy is. I remember when he was still coaching here in Tampa how idiots in the sports media would opine that because he didn't cuss that he wasn't the kind of coach who could lead a team all the way. You have no idea how much further from the truth they could have been. Its not just that he DID go all the way with Indy, although it was personally gratifying for me to see him do it. No its also the legacy that he left behind here and what he will be leaving behind in Indy.

Coach Dungy carried himself with such a confidence and calm that it trickled down to all of the guys who played for him. He in fact DOES scream but only when he deems it necessary and the words he chooses when addressing the team, while not cuss words, cut to the chase and command respect. You won't find a player who was with Tony for any good period of time who will say they didn't respect him and support him, even those who may not have neccesarily done as well under him as they would have liked. Not only that, he lives his words and his faith whether you agree with him or not. And he inspired his players to give back to the community and donate time, money and effort to help better the lives of those less fortunate than themselves.

So I am very conflicted at this news. I am saddened to know that he will no longer be shaping the lives of the young men he coached but also heartened to know that he will now turn his attention to other meaningful issues in our community like prison outreach.

Farewell Coach Dungy, and God bless you in your new endeavors!