How 'bout Them ... Christian Coaches? by Steve Watters on 02/05/2007 at 10:49 AM

If you tuned in to some of the pre-game coverage, stuck around for the trophy presentation or caught the full-page ad in USA Today this weekend (and followed this link), you probably saw that Tony Dungy, coach of the Super Bowl winning Colts is a Christian who seeks to glorify God in how he coaches football. The same is true of Lovie Smith, a former assistant coach with Dungy, who did a great job getting his team to the big game.

Both coaches sought to use the superbright spotlight given to the first African American Super Bowl coaches to defer glory to God and to draw attention to their ability to win without cursing or screaming at their players.

I know it's easy to get used to hearing players and coaches throw God talk around in interviews, but the messages surrounding this particular Super Bowl event seemed different and inspirational in a way I don't remember seeing in a while.

Do you think it had any resonance? How do you think it was received by non-believers in the audience?

How 'bout Them ... Christian Coaches? by Steve Watters on 02/05/2007 at 10:49 AM

If you tuned in to some of the pre-game coverage, stuck around for the trophy presentation or caught the full-page ad in USA Today this weekend (and followed this link), you probably saw that Tony Dungy, coach of the Super Bowl winning Colts is a Christian who seeks to glorify God in how he coaches football. The same is true of Lovie Smith, a former assistant coach with Dungy, who did a great job getting his team to the big game.

Both coaches sought to use the superbright spotlight given to the first African American Super Bowl coaches to defer glory to God and to draw attention to their ability to win without cursing or screaming at their players.

I know it's easy to get used to hearing players and coaches throw God talk around in interviews, but the messages surrounding this particular Super Bowl event seemed different and inspirational in a way I don't remember seeing in a while.

Do you think it had any resonance? How do you think it was received by non-believers in the audience?

Comments

[1. John said the following at 10:59 AM on Feb 5:]

1

I believe the Christian character of Dungy and Smith came through in their interviews, and what their players had to say about their coaching styles -- their manly dignity, their lack of profanity and yelling.

Some, of course, will quibble that these Christian men should not be in a job that requires them to work on Sundays. It could be argued, however, that the presence of Christian coaches -- and players -- is a kind of ministry, and a high-profile one at that.

[2. JessicaF said the following at 11:26 AM on Feb 5:]

2

Note: I didn't know anything about either coach before the game and I only caught most of the 2nd half. I haven't really ever watched any football so I had no previous frame of reference.
That said, I don't know how well it was received, but I did notice that the commentators took notice of his commitment not to curse or raise his voice. It made me wonder...then I was encouraged by his responses when receiving the trophy. What struck me was the commentators comparing him to other coaches who instill fear in their players. They said the players were afraid to let him down as compared to afraid of getting an earful later. I always wondered what a team would look like with leadership of this sort in whatever sport. It is a breath of fresh air. It made me proud of the team I was already cheering for!

[3. Colette said the following at 11:55 AM on Feb 5:]

3

I think it was such a great witness! Not only did Tony Dungy give glory to God, but so did the owner of the Colts. I think that his testimony does give non-Christians something to think about. The announcers kept pointing out how Dungy made it this far without ever cursing or raising his voice. It shows that people are paying attention when what you say matches what you do.

[4. Zeph Greenwell said the following at 12:47 PM on Feb 5:]

4

Normally, Christians do not get much good publicity by the secular media. This, I think, is one exception. I feel that Tony Dungy sets a great example for his players, other coaches, and NFL fans. I don't know if people are being converted by seeing the coverage on the news, but its nice to see nonetheless.

[5. kendra said the following at 1:27 PM on Feb 5:]

5

I thought Dungy making his way to the crowd and grabbing Smith like he did spoke volumes of his respect and love for his friend.

Likewise, Dungy's comments about the owner of the victory will truly make an impact, as did his 2005 press conference where he shared his faith after the death of his son.

This man is truly a man of integrity and great character.

[6. Kyu said the following at 10:55 AM on Feb 6:]

6

The media definitely played it up. There were many articles circulating before the Super Bowl about Coach Dungy and Smith's unorthodox coaching styles and their Christian faith. During the post-game interview on the world stage, Coach Dungy emphasized that he and Coach Lovie Smith did it "the Lord's way." How? Based on other news articles, for Dungy, it was having the right priorities in life: 1)Faith, 2)Family, 3)Football (a distant third). And for Smith, making lifestyle choices that deny certain pleasures that the world seeks: smoking, drinking and swearing.

I'm thankful for their genuine witness not just to unbelievers, but to us, the believers. How many times do we see ourselves compromising our standards in order to blend in with the crowd: obsession with work/drinking/smoking, keeping our faith hush-hush in the workplace and with friends, and letting success get to our heads.

Two men glorifying God with their lives, win or lose.

[7. Scott said the following at 4:05 PM on Feb 6:]

7

For me (although going for the Colts) the Superbowl game was a win-win situation.

And although I knew that Coach Dungy was Christian and that he would give glory to the Lord, I was really pleased how open, honest, and willing he was to do it. what a great testimony. I think that it really did show the world that you can do it "the Lord's way"

[1. John said the following at 10:59 AM on Feb 5:]

1

I believe the Christian character of Dungy and Smith came through in their interviews, and what their players had to say about their coaching styles -- their manly dignity, their lack of profanity and yelling.

Some, of course, will quibble that these Christian men should not be in a job that requires them to work on Sundays. It could be argued, however, that the presence of Christian coaches -- and players -- is a kind of ministry, and a high-profile one at that.

[2. JessicaF said the following at 11:26 AM on Feb 5:]

2

Note: I didn't know anything about either coach before the game and I only caught most of the 2nd half. I haven't really ever watched any football so I had no previous frame of reference.
That said, I don't know how well it was received, but I did notice that the commentators took notice of his commitment not to curse or raise his voice. It made me wonder...then I was encouraged by his responses when receiving the trophy. What struck me was the commentators comparing him to other coaches who instill fear in their players. They said the players were afraid to let him down as compared to afraid of getting an earful later. I always wondered what a team would look like with leadership of this sort in whatever sport. It is a breath of fresh air. It made me proud of the team I was already cheering for!

[3. Colette said the following at 11:55 AM on Feb 5:]

3

I think it was such a great witness! Not only did Tony Dungy give glory to God, but so did the owner of the Colts. I think that his testimony does give non-Christians something to think about. The announcers kept pointing out how Dungy made it this far without ever cursing or raising his voice. It shows that people are paying attention when what you say matches what you do.

[4. Zeph Greenwell said the following at 12:47 PM on Feb 5:]

4

Normally, Christians do not get much good publicity by the secular media. This, I think, is one exception. I feel that Tony Dungy sets a great example for his players, other coaches, and NFL fans. I don't know if people are being converted by seeing the coverage on the news, but its nice to see nonetheless.

[5. kendra said the following at 1:27 PM on Feb 5:]

5

I thought Dungy making his way to the crowd and grabbing Smith like he did spoke volumes of his respect and love for his friend.

Likewise, Dungy's comments about the owner of the victory will truly make an impact, as did his 2005 press conference where he shared his faith after the death of his son.

This man is truly a man of integrity and great character.

[6. Kyu said the following at 10:55 AM on Feb 6:]

6

The media definitely played it up. There were many articles circulating before the Super Bowl about Coach Dungy and Smith's unorthodox coaching styles and their Christian faith. During the post-game interview on the world stage, Coach Dungy emphasized that he and Coach Lovie Smith did it "the Lord's way." How? Based on other news articles, for Dungy, it was having the right priorities in life: 1)Faith, 2)Family, 3)Football (a distant third). And for Smith, making lifestyle choices that deny certain pleasures that the world seeks: smoking, drinking and swearing.

I'm thankful for their genuine witness not just to unbelievers, but to us, the believers. How many times do we see ourselves compromising our standards in order to blend in with the crowd: obsession with work/drinking/smoking, keeping our faith hush-hush in the workplace and with friends, and letting success get to our heads.

Two men glorifying God with their lives, win or lose.

[7. Scott said the following at 4:05 PM on Feb 6:]

7

For me (although going for the Colts) the Superbowl game was a win-win situation.

And although I knew that Coach Dungy was Christian and that he would give glory to the Lord, I was really pleased how open, honest, and willing he was to do it. what a great testimony. I think that it really did show the world that you can do it "the Lord's way"