Why Is Tony Dungy Endorsing Anti-Gay Fundamentalists?
Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy—who recently became the first black coach to win a Super Bowl—is being criticized for his decision to appear at an upcoming fund raiser for a conservative Christian group that is well known for opposing gay rights and same-sex marriage.
On March 20, the Indiana Family Institute will honor Dungy with its "Friend of the Family" award. The $75-per-person event is expected to draw nearly up to 700 people and raise more than $50,000. The IFI—affiliated with the fundamentalist, rabidly anti-gay Focus on the Family—is the leading supporter of a proposed state constitutional amendment to restrict marriage between one man and one woman. According to Outsports, "Dungy has a long, vocal history as a devout Christian. He has often made religious comments in his remarks to the media."
The Colts front office issued a statement saying it was unaware of the institute's agenda, although the IFI website prominently displays photos of President George Bush, Coach Dungy, and, reports its anti-gay crusades.
Cyd Zeigler at Outsports says its misleading for the Super Bowl-winning coach to pretend the he is not aware of the Indiana Family Institute's homophobic agenda. "When you start helping groups like this raise money, it becomes problematic to me. Be very clear about this: Tony Dungy is raising money for this organization. He is the face of the event."
The Indiana Family Institute also works with the same "ex-gay" defenders who recently suggested blacks were "better off" under slavery than living in Africa.
Groups Question Appearance [WLS-TV]
Dungy Raising Money for Anti-Gay Organization [Outsports]
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Dungy has been invoking God and Jesus whenever his team wins and that plays well in the heartland. As long as he's winning and bringing Super Bowl trophies to Indianapolis, the people of Indiana will allow him to keep up the Bible thumping.
Posted by: rob a | 12 March 2007 at 09:28
How can the Colts or Dungy claim they don't know what this group stands for? And how can they claim Dungy is not endorsing them if he is their keynote speaker?
That's called an endorsement where I come from ...
Posted by: derrick | 12 March 2007 at 09:29
The Tim Hardaway incident showed that homophobia can no longer be openly celebrated in professional sports. The Colts know Tony Dungy is a fundamentalist and this is their way of back-pedaling.
He's the Teflon coach ... until he explicitly says something anti-gay. Which he is probably too smart to do ...
Posted by: er | 12 March 2007 at 09:37
More part of the right-wing agenda to influence the black church and win black voters. I'm sure a lot of black men and women will be hoodwinked by Tony Dungy's "pro-family" talk.
Posted by: West Side Poz | 12 March 2007 at 09:40
Y'all will let me know if I'm out of place, but I always wondered what inner turmoil must have been in Tony Dungee's son's mind leading to his suicide. These religous fanatics often do more harm to young folks than good, perhaps, they always do.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 12 March 2007 at 09:49
Troubling, but thanks for alerting us, Rod.
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 12 March 2007 at 10:27
Derrick Ive thought the same thing. I was happy for Dungy's superbowl win but turned off by him pointing out that he and Lovie Smith wer two "Christian coaches doing it the Lord's way"
Posted by: DFS | 12 March 2007 at 12:45
Why is it when someone disagrees with your beliefs he is "hoodwinking" others?
Regardless of the fact that I don't agree with the views of this organization... I respect their right to have those views and will just not support Dungy or others that support the organization.
Hit them where it hurts... just like Hardaway loosing endorsements.
Posted by: C. Baptiste-Williams | 12 March 2007 at 12:59
I agree with the above poster just because we disagree with an org. philosophy doesn't give us the right to blast the coach for upholding his Christian values. Please don't turn our dislike for persons misguided judgement to an anti Christian rant. This is a trend happening in our community today lets not lose sight on how far we have come by His grace.
Posted by: hood2big | 12 March 2007 at 13:55
I don't see any anti-Christian rants, in the post or the comments.
The Indiana Family Institute has opposed the recent gay rights ordinance in Indianapolis, is trying to pass an anti-same sex marriage amendment and believes in ex-gay philosophy. Their position is clearly outlined in the links and on their website. It is what it is.
This site certainly isn't anti-Christian. Rod has taken a lot of heat for being a progressive Christian (UCC? Episcopalian?) and several churches and denominations advertise here.
There is a big difference between "upholding Christian beliefs" and persecuting people based upon their God-given sexuality and life. Big difference.
Posted by: tyler grey | 12 March 2007 at 14:08
my comments are not to Rod but to the posters on this and other blogs that dive into a anti-Christian tirade.
Posted by: hood2big | 12 March 2007 at 14:31
I think many/most gay people, especially blacks, are just frustrated with so-called "Christian" people and organizations using "Christianity" and the Bible to justify their anti-gay oppression. It's very difficult to separate the two when it is part and parcel of their agenda. Especially when there are so many Christians who feel just the opposite and welcome everyone into God's kingdom.
Dungy may or may not be good-hearted, or may or may not be anti-gay. But the fact remains he is raising money for a group that is very anti-gay. Let's talk about that. "Christian" or not, Suyper Bowl winner or not, Dungy is raising money to oppress our community.
Posted by: tyler grey | 12 March 2007 at 15:02
Hood, not everybody in our "community" is Christian, so the talk about losing sight of how far we have come by His grace is making an assumption and a generalization that doesnt apply to everyone here
Posted by: DFS | 12 March 2007 at 15:15
Tony Dungy is a Christian man; which is why he is seeking to live a life that is consistent with God's Word.
The Word of God, which is The Holy Bible, is clear and unambiguous: homosexuality IS a sin.
Therefore, it is Christian to be against homosexuality because homosexuality is a sin. Homosexuality is a sin, just like adultery is a sin; just like lying is a sin; just like stealing is a sin. Homosexuals want Christians to ignore God and to accept homosexuality. A true Christian cannot do that. Gays have this incorrect notion that to love them requires you to also love their sin.
According to homosexuals, the Church and Christians should recognize everyone in their sin such that everyone can be comfortable and happy in their sin. For if the Church and Christians must ignore the Word of God on homosexuality, the Church must also ignore the Word of God on slanderers, swindlers, thieves, prostitutes, and all the rest. Sin is sin. Homosexuality is a sin. And the Church is against sin.
As they have displayed, homosexuals are against God and against his Word. Gays want what they want, despite what the Bible says. If that's the choice they have made, fine; gays have received the Word of God and have rejected it. They must deal with the consequences of their actions with God. But why is it so important for homosexuals to receive the approval of the Church and Christians for their sin? Obviously gays want to sin and they enjoy their sin, and do not seek to turn away from their sin, so sin. But don't get angry with the Church or Tony Dungy and other Christains for refusing to give its stamp of approval for an act which by God's Word is sin.
Posted by: Brad | 17 March 2007 at 00:05
Dungy has broken the heart of this native Hoosier. More in my personal essay on the subject on my site
Posted by: Randy Boyd | 21 March 2007 at 14:40