Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy finally answered some questions about his views on gays, which has been an issue since he helped raise $75,000 for an anti-gay political group in Indiana. In a profile on HBO’s “Costas Now,” Bob Costas asked Dungy questions about religion and then this:
Costas: What if you had a player who was openly gay? Would that be alright with you?
Dungy: I’m sure I would talk to him about my views on it, what I think the Bible says about it. I would hope that I would give him the same respect as every other player, treat him exactly the same way I treat the other 52 guys, and show him the kind of love that I think the Bible says we are to show everyone.
Costas: And if he’s a good football player, he’s on the Colts.
Dungy: He would be, yes.
Dungy paused before answering the question and seemed uncomfortable when replying. It’s sad and telling that he would feel a need to tell this player his views on homosexuality, rooted in the Bible. He said in a previous answer (reprinted below) that he does not proselytize to his players, but he seems to make an exception for gays. And it’s interesting that he says “I would hopes that I would give him the same respect.” Hope? This clearly shows Dungy is not comfortable with gays; I wonder if he knows any? I guess it’s nice that he would keep a gay guy if he was a good player, though saying anything but would brand him a bigot.
Dungy has always struck me as a decent man, but he has a blind spot on the gay issue and I can’t respect him for that; too many people have used their religious beliefs to discriminate against gays and don’t tell me I have to accept it. –Jim Buzinski
Dungy also had this to say on the subject of religion and his players:
Costas: I think just about everybody respects your faith because they know it’s sincere, but this seems like a legitimate question. If you had a player on your team who was a devout Muslim, or a devout Jew, or was, in his own way, adamant that he was an Athiest and would not take part in the pre- or post-game prayer … how would you handle it?
Dungy: We actually had one guy in the time that I’ve been coaching that didn’t want to take part in the prayer. We talked about it, he told me his reasons why, and I accepted that.
Costas: So if a player happens to be Muslim or Jewish, you’re available for them to talk, but you don’t proselytize.
Dungy: I don’t, if they’re not interested in hearing about it. I think our players know and understand that if they don’t look at life the way I do, it’s not going to have an adverse effect on our relationship.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 4:07 am
Really sounds like he doesn’t like gays, doesn’t acknowledge that it’s not a choice, believes that it’s something that can be changed through faith, and yet he’s still perfectly fine with using a gay player if he can play well. Nice.
He may be a “decent man” in other respects, but nothing strikes me as decent about this viewpoint.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 6:53 am
I’ve always maintained that christian fundamentalists don’t have a problem with truly homosexual persons, because by their own admission, they don’t believe that true hard-wired homosexuals exist.
They believe that our homosexuality is nothing more than a bad behavior, much akin to adultry, stealing, drunkenness, and that one can “change” his or her “behavior”. It’s sad that this kind of ignorance and mis-information can exist in this day in age.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 8:08 am
I disagree with your take on Dungy’s comments.
First, there’s a difference between talking to a player about your beliefs (once) and proselytizing. Dungy’s (atheist? Jewish? doesn’t matter) player who didn’t want to join in the prayer was OK with him — they discussed it and it was dropped. Why wouldn’t he be able to speak to a gay player in a similar fashion? Why couuldn’t he drop it just the same?
Second, so he raised money for a group that doesn’t support gays? So what! The US Military doesn’t support gays, should their be a Pride parade on Memorial Day to illustrate their illogical stance?? No! Just like the military (or the Catholic church or the Boyscouts, etc) they are more than just a single-focus group. We shouldn’t be blind to ALL a group’s positions, but I can’t think we need to balance our views based on a the whole picture. Dungy is in support of a group that helps families. Not gay ones to be sure, but they are a group doing real good.
You’re effectively saying that SINCE Dungy isn’t completely comfortable with gays (and he’s honest about that) that he’s a religious bigot. I’m gay, but I’m also willing to accept that folks still can hold the view that my lifestyle is immoral — that’s their right, otherwise, I’m no better than the worst right-winger religious folks — completely deaf to other arguments. I can’t force people to accept me (us). I can try to educate them about the life I lead (it’s not so bad) all the while requiring the same rights & opportunities to exist for me. I didn’t see Dungy say anything against that. I’d give him a break?
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 8:39 am
Jack, Friends of the Family isn’t a group that “doesn’t support gays”. They are also not a group that “helps families”. They are a group that was formed specifically to oppose and oppress gays. Dungy’s association with them and the way he obviously classifies gay players differently does, in fact, make him a bigot. It’s the basic definition. I see no reason he shouldn’t be allowed to speak to any player with a different set of beliefs than he holds, but his job is to win football games, not hold philosophical discussions with his players about invisible men in the sky who think sex is icky. And if he gets those priorities mixed up, then we have every responsibility to hold him accountable to it.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Why would he feel the need to share his Biblical views with a gay player?
Why is it any of his business who is gay or not?
He’s a football coach. Just a football coach.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 9:34 am
I’m sorry, guys, but I can’t agree…”He’s a football coach. Just a football coach.” So I’m gay, just gay? Why doesn’t he have the right to discuss his faith with the people he knows? THAT IS FINE. If he discriminates against those who he disagrees with on non-football terms, that’s wrong…If he makes religion or orientation a litmus test in the locker room, that is wrong. You’re making him, his life, and his job as a stereotype. “He’s a football coach”. So? He’s a person. He’s a father, a taxpayer, a Colts fan, and likely a very moral person. If this issue weren’t about gays, you wouldn’t be so touchy. I’m by no means religious, but I respect his right as an individual to practice his faith through those around him. I can see a separation between football and life.
He said, directly, he hopes he would treat a gay like any other player. What more do you want until he’s really confronted with the situation? The whole world can’t become LGBTA overnight…He at least appears to be open / non-discriminatory in the workplace. I don’t understand how this gets so much bad press — a matter of his faith and his private practice — when there are so many VERY REAL bigots out there. By the way, the definition of bigot is “a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.” Utterly intolerant? I didn’t read that.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 10:43 am
“I would hope that I would give him the same respect as every other player.” In other words, he would not.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
“Why doesn’t he have the right to discuss his faith with the people he knows?”
That’s fine if it’s his family or friends. But when it comes to players, as the coach, he’s their BOSS. He’s not their father or uncle or best friend or preacher. He’s someone with control over their careers. A player — especially someone who’s not a star like Peyton Manning or Marvin Harrison — could easily feel intimidated into going along with his coach, at least in public. And if he’s strong enough to stand up for his rights and be vocal about it, who’s to say that Dungy wouldn’t conveniently find a reason to get rid of him? Religion should NEVER come into play in the workplace.
The quote from that interview indicates that he wanted to give a response that was politically correct while not offending his ultra-right constituency such as the hate group he raised money for. Of course, Costas didn’t follow up with pertinent questions about that hate group and the money he raised. These “journalists” know that they can only go so far without risking losing access.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
” I don’t understand how this gets so much bad press - a matter of his faith and his private practice - when there are so many VERY REAL bigots out there.”
I don’t understand how it didn’t get MORE bad press… While Tony Dungy may not be blatantly homophobic, Friends Of The Family most certainly is. For some reason, Coach Dungy has gotten a free pass from most media outlets (as evidenced by Bob Costas’s softball interview over eight months after the fact ). Thank god for Outsports.com!
Jim, I hope this doesn’t detract from your enjoyment in cheering for the Colts. (gritting my teeth) They are still a terrific team with incredibly talented players. (ungritting my teeth….exhaling) It’s possible to have mixed feelings about a coach and still root for his team. As a Pats fan, I’ve had plenty of practice this year…
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Praying before a football game is so bizarre to me. As if God chooses sides…please.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Cyd said: “I would hope that I would give him the same respect as every other player.” In other words, he would not.
No… thats not what he said, thats your interpretation - your ‘take’ on it.
I am not all that happy with his stance on LGBT issues either, but why not take the man at his word - he hopes that he could be impartial; until he is confronted with an actual situation, he is being honest.
There is little enough of that around these days as it is.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Ok I have a couple comments about this.
First of all, Rob I see what you are saying about Dungy. However, I think it is far more dangerous to align yourself with an institutionally oppressive organization that could have major political influence against gay rights. Its just like back in the day when the Ku Klux Klan was at its peak and you had members who weren’t vocal about their hate toward Jews, Blacks, and Catholics in public, but yet aligned themselves with the KKK to keep the aforementioned groups oppressed. When this story first came out I cut Dungy some slack which was ignorant on my part because I hadn’t done my research on Friends of the Family. However, after reading up on the roots and beliefs of the organization, I lost about all respect I ever had for the man.
Secondly, what is up with the constant comments on this board of people mocking those who DO have deep religious beliefs and who pray? As someone who prays myself, I don’t believe I’m praying to “invisible men in the sky”. Bryan, regarding your comment about Coach Dungy praying before games…did you hear this prayer? Did he say that he wanted God to let his team win? Perhaps he simply wanted God to watch over them and protect them from harm. Lets not put all religious people into one category. If you want to criticize Dungy for his alignment with Friends of the Family thats fine. But then you show yourself to be ignorant in a different way by mocking prayer in general. Can’t have it both ways.
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
“Jim, I hope this doesn’t detract from your enjoyment in cheering for the Colts.”
It doesn’t because being a fan is somewhat irrational. I root against the Pats but for all I know their coach is more pro-gay than anyone, but I still want him to lose. Plus, I root for the Indy players I like (Manning, Harrison, Addai, Sanders, Clark etc.) and not their coach. And since my rooting for or against a team has zero affect on the outcome it’s not like I am selling out my beliefs.
On a serious note, I would love to talk to Dungy at length about this since I feel he would at least try and explain why he thinks what he thinks (we made numerous requests to the Colts and got rebuffed).
on Dec 8th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Frankly speaking, if Tony Dungy represents himself as a family man with a family first mentality, he needs to explain why his son chose to end his life due to parental negligence.
on Dec 9th, 2007 at 2:16 am
I didn’t know that was the reason his son committed suicide, and even if it was, that is a very painful event that happened in the man’s life in which he doesn’t need anyone calling him out on as if they truly knew what went on inside the walls of their household. I understand if you don’t like the man because of his religious beliefs but lets not get low class.
on Dec 9th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Jim-you need to be a bit more careful in your writing
you said that Dungy’s beliefs on homosexuality are rooted in the Bible
No, his beliefs are rooted in his interpretation of the Bible-big difference
Dungy even says that his beliefs are based on what he thinks the Bible says
on Dec 9th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Jack, you are a Quisling. You may be Norwegian, but you’re fully in support of the Nazis doing & saying anything they want to justify their indelible sense of superiority. And Jack, being a football coach is a choice while being gay is not; or do you give an equal airing to the “choice” argument when you look into the eyes of the man you love?
on Dec 9th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
That’s pretty harsh, Tom. And doesn’t make much sense. First, back off the Nazi reference. That’s overplayed unless you truly believe the majority of folks who disaprove of homosexuality would approve cold-hearted, systematic murder — note, I”m not saying all folks, but I’ll give Dungy a pass into the sane grouping. By dragging out that allusion, you insult a lot moral (if uninformed) people, not to mention a lot of martyred Jews, Russians, & homosexuals.
Second, I agree with Rob’s comments above. I’m not out here saying Tony Dungy is up for Ally of the Year, but give me a break. He at least appears to be a) honest and b) open to reason aware of his own biases. I’d like to think our side could say the same? Going onto blogs & bashing people on the head with “Nazi” isn’t going to win any minds over.
So what are we arguing here? Dungy’s a coach whose job is to win games for the Colts — he’s succesful in that. Where does his job as a succesful coach make him any more of a target for hate mail on his views? He’s a public figure, yes, but not an elected one or one that holds any authority over anyone’s lives — civic or moral. By the way, Joe, I see an can understand and concede your point about keeping the workplace free of religious overtones — though that doesn’t always happen. Point being, everytime I see him, I’m not hit over the head with his “unreasonable views”…I admire the team he’s put together, their demeanor, & how their leadership is derived.
Why are you folks so quick to jump on a man because of a specific aspect of his personal views? How many players / co-workers / family members hold views much more “bigoted” and far less reasoned in some context — religious or other — Nazis, too? I much prefer his honesty (and I hope it’s straight-up honesty) on his views. You either think he’s a religious man, tolerant but misguided on homosexuality . . . OR a fraud of a religious man who lies to save face. I choose to live my life less cynically and more optimistic for a future.
on Dec 9th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Jack, the simple fact that YOU refer to your homosexuality as your “lifestyle” says a whole lot about where you’re coming from. So much so that I would question whether you are actually gay or if you are just another non-gay compassion trolling fundamentalist.
on Dec 9th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I think what everyone needs to realize is that as a Christian, which I am as well, it is not the person that we dislike. It is the Sin, and yes it is a sin, if you believe the Bible to be the true word of God. Jesus himself instructed us to love our neighbors as ourselves, however that does not mean that I have to accept their views, nor do I need to tolerate this belief. Neither should he have to. Now that said, I believe what he is saying here is that the players orientation or beliefs are not going to be considered when it comes to what is essentially doing a job.
To criticize Tony on this subject is just as prejudiced as he would be in not allowing a person to play the game. He has said he will not do that, and neither should we judge him because he believes what he says, and he walks the walk.
on Dec 10th, 2007 at 1:57 am
Paul M.-
Do you really want to get into the “love the sinner, hate the sin” thing? Because I can tell you that being gay is not something I can change, even though I’ve tried, and research is mounting that sexuality is generally not changeable, though people can certainly fake it.
The point is that this very high-profile man, a boss in charge of hiring, firing, and working conditions of many people, some of whom are quite possibly gay, has aligned himself with a hate group and fails to see the harm in what he does. As a public figure, he should be questioned about that and answer for it in specific terms.
BTW: Was anyone else confused by Costas’ question about “if he was a good player”? There are plenty of mediocre players on every NFL team; do they not deserve to have a job if they’re gay but they do if they’re straight? That’s what the question sounded like to me.
on Dec 10th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
In a country that included separation of church and state in its constitution, there should also be separation of church and football. After all, it’s not called the National Christian Football League. On top of that, whatever anyone in the NFL’s off field beliefs are, and no matter where they came from, plenty of others in the NFL don’t abide by or comply with those beliefs, be it religion, sexuality or the many other ways people differ.
Leave your gods in your mind and play football!
For more on my views on the coach of my hometown Indianapolis Colts, check out my essay titled, “Dungy’s Destructive Dreams”, pubbed in the Indiana Word and San Francisco’s BeyondChron, and on my blog in the link! Play ball!
on Dec 10th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
” I root against the Pats but for all I know their coach is more pro-gay than anyone, but I still want him to lose. “
I don’t know how pro-gay Bill Bellichik is, but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t give a rat’s ass if two of his players wanted to marry each other. In fact, I’ll bet he’d even volunteer to videotape the ceremony…
BTW, Jim, thanks for shedding light on this story… Now I’ve got another reason to root against the Colts…
on Dec 10th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I respect what you guys are saying, but aren’t you giving Dungy too much credit for not being a hate monger. Just because he believes he is “right” doen’t make him right. Evangelistic christians have a simplistic view of G-d and faith and at best hide behind religion to hide the fact that their views are very un-Christian like. I do not want to go into discussing religion, but simpletons like Dungy and his religous right cohorts could never understand the true nature of faith or G-d. I mean they try to deny science as if it is not compatible with faith. How can you expect them (Dungy included) to understand the tapestry of humankind . I understand trying to take the high road against such hatred, but we as gay men have to draw a line in the sand once and for all and refuse to tolerate such bigotry. Period!
on Dec 11th, 2007 at 7:59 am
Clearly, his response to the question was bigoted.
“I would hope that I would give him the same respect as every other player, treat him exactly the same way I treat the other 52 guys, and show him the kind of love that I think the Bible says we are to show everyone.”
I would hope? That’s a complete cop out. Either he’s going to treat a person with respect or he won’t. If he has to hope that he would be able to treat someone with the same as everyone else, then he clearly cannot have the same respect for that person if all he can do is hope.
If I were on his team and thinking of coming out… his statement would really cause me to second guess that decision. I would hate to think how his reaction would affect the cohesion of the team. If he was unable to show support for his player, then there is a possibility that fellow teammates are may also show a lack of support.
I truly hope that one day sexuality isn’t such a hot button issue and everyone can just be themselves irregardless of whomever they happen to be attracted to.
on Dec 11th, 2007 at 11:13 am
So, Paul, how should a Roman Catholic treat Mr. Dungy, since, according to the Catholic church, he is a heretic and blasphemer for turning his back on the only true church of Jesus Christ. I am not saying what the nuns and priests taught me as a young Catholic is right, but it seems hypocritical to demand acceptance and approval for one sinful lifestyle while trying to censor another one.
on Dec 12th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Actually, sexual orientation is beside the point here. This Colt-Dolt is continuously breaking the law of separation of church & state. He’s got no business mentioning the bible in or out of his ludicrous “prayer circles” — any time he does, he’s insulting people who disagree w/his religious beliefs, which has nothing to do w/the NFL. He should be in jail.
on Dec 13th, 2007 at 9:55 am
He HOPES he would give him the same respect ?????
KISS MY ASS pleaaaaaaaaaaaaase….do you ever wonder why your kid hung himself ? He probably was a gay
on Dec 13th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Gay, Bible, what is this? This is a workplace. I can’t see how any employer, the Colts, allows their supervisor, the coach, to do anything that even looks like prejudice or favoritism. I am very uncomfortable with all this praying on the field and in the locker room, period. Have you read Esera Tualo’s book, Alone in the Trenches? Religion can be a very dangerous thing, as we know.
on Dec 14th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Ron - wtf? are you on drugs? i can talk about prayer any way I damn well please and your pious positioning is typical of those who think they have a monopoly on religion and spirituality…
why does a football coach need to lead with his religion constantly? why is it that those who’re constantly talking about their faith seem to be the ones who’re the least secure in it? kind of like fundamentalism?
on Dec 27th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
The Bible argument is so tiresome. Masturbation, oral sex, sex outside of marriage, eating certain food, so much of what “good Christians” accept as proper behavior is totally against the Bible.
Susan is dead on. The Bible, prayer, and all the discriminatory practices that “good Christians” observe have absolutely no place in the workplace. Dungy certainly gets my vote as jerk of the year.
on Jan 5th, 2008 at 8:56 am
The death of Tony Dungy’s son needs to be brought out. I live in the Tampa area and there was some serious discussions about the posibility that his son was gay. I would think that Tony would also realize that gay youth suicide is a real and troubling fact in our nation. If a gay youth is harassed and marginalized by fudamentalist groups they at least need the support of their family. It was known that Tony”s son had emotional problems, but was sent back to Tampa, without any family support near him. Its possible that he realized that he would never be accepted by his adored father and death was the only solution he felt he had. His death was not really investigated down here. I belive it was because Tony is still very respected in the Tampa area and this is a consevative voting area.
on Jul 14th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Wow! This entire blog reaks of one-sided liberalism! Where is the balance? The problem you have is an issue of authority.There are basically 3 types of authority. There is internal authority, what I think is right, usually wrong. External authority, what other people think is right, usually wrong, and finally eternal authority, what God has stated. My authority is not a leftist sports commentator, not a heterophobic blog, but The Word of God! A holy and perfect God, described in the Bible, would not create a person or lifestyle that is an abomination to him! I was not born a protestant, I chose to become one! Tony has a right to his beliefs, whatever they may be…bug out of his life…find another cause…get a life!!!
on Jul 15th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Your God doesn’t exist, little man. Get help while you still can.