I am not a Super Bowl fan. I sometimes watch parts of the game...never have I watched a full game. (Of course, everyone wants to see the commercials.) But this year, something special was happening at the Super Bowl. History was being made. Do you know the story of the two head coaches for the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears? It's a great story!
Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith made history.
It was the first time in history that not only did an African-American head coach participate in the Super Bowl, but 2 black coaches went head to head in football's biggest game. Each had coached his team to the verge of a world championship, something no African-American had ever done in professional football. Not only that...they are old friends!
These two men coached together for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...Tony as Head Coach, and Lovie as Linebackers Coach. But they also are bound together by something deeper and more profound than a love of football. Each of them is driven by a love of Jesus Christ.
Lovie says that he relies on his faith, which was cultivated in him during his childhood. "Everything that I am is based on my faith. It has been a big part of me," he says. "At a young age, I called on God to help me, and He was there as a comfort for me. That is something that I have leaned on ever since."
Both Smith and Dungy are known for their respectful treatment of players and their calm in situations where many other coaches would lose their temper or berate players. Lovie tries to model his faith to the players by the way he carries himself, both on and off the field.
"Yelling and screaming, that's one of the most overrated coaching ideas out there," he says. "Maybe in the old days that's what you had to do. Nowadays, what I've found is that if you tell guys what to do...they will do it. You don't have to belittle them, threaten them. I simply tell them what I want done. If they can't do it, there are other guys waiting for the chance to do it. I'm also not trying to be anybody's father, but I do accept the role as a father-figure."
Coach Dungy is known for building relationships with his players. He
often sends encouragement to his current and former players with a simple text-message that reads, “What are you doing to be a better husband and father right now?” Tony is also quoted as saying "Coaching the way I do, respecting the players, having the right people on my team, and being more concerned about character than athletic ability, I believe I can win like this. And they kept saying I was too nice to win. And I am so glad that I have proven that nice guys can finish first."
As for being the first blacks to head coach Super Bowl teams, Tony said, "It means a lot. I'm very proud to represent African-American coaches, but more than that, it's about the Indianapolis Colts."
Lovie said, "Being the first black coach to lead this team, of course our players knew about it and they wanted to help us make history. So I feel blessed to be in that position."
Well, I may not be a Super Bowl fan, but I have certainly become a Super Fan of these two gentlemen. I am very impressed with these men, and their constant testimony to not only their players, but to referees, other teams, and the whole nation. Congratulations!!!
You can read and watch more about the lives and faith of these two men at http://www.beyondtheultimate.com/.
(Tony Dungy and his family are still recovering from the sudden death of his oldest son, James. He was found dead only a few days before Christmas, in 2005. Tony credits his faith in Jesus Christ as sustaining him and seeing him through that tragedy.)
Have a great day! ~ Stephanie
