Faith by example - Dungy, Smith
- Feb 6, 2007 - 3
Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy peers from behind the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Our First Amendment rights of freedom of religious expression were on display Sunday night for the world to see, and in a most special setting. Tony Dungy, coach of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, was unabashed in giving the glory to Jesus Christ as he accepted the Vince Lombardi trophy after his team’s victory over the Chicago Bears in a rain-soaked Super Bowl.
While commentators noted the game’s historical significance with two African-American head coaches on the sidelines, it might well have been the first Super Bowl where the two head coaches—Dungy and Bears coach Lovie Smith—openly shared their Christian faith. To television viewers in 232 countries around the world, a humble Dungy said, “The Lord doesn’t always take you in a straight line. I think He tests you to make sure you can hang in there and keep the faith. Hopefully this will show there are many African-American coaches and Christian coaches who can get the job done.”
It doesn’t get much clearer than that.
Related
- Beyond the Ultimate – see Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith’s faith in Action.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Faith, Apologetics, Citizenship, Christian Citizenship, Religious Liberty
3 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Feb 6th, 2007, at 12:14pm, Imogene Terry wrote:
These are the kind of role models I appreciate for my three great grandsons who love sports and look up to good athletes, I hope those who do honor our Lord Jesus will take note of how God honors those who honor and acknowlege Him.
My prayer is that it will also be noticed by those who choose the halftime entertainment. It is a shame to have to turn it off during this time. That is what all Chrisians should do.
2 On Feb 6th, 2007, at 3:42pm, Luther Smith wrote:
I am a 67 year old caucasion. It brought tears of joy to hear Coach’s Dungy and Smith profess their faith in our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. My thanks to both of them for the best Super Bowl that I ever watched. To me, they are both winners.
Luther Smith
3 On Feb 6th, 2007, at 4:03pm, David F. Rasmussen wrote:
Our First Amendment liberties were displayed on Sunday most significantly, and in far more special settings, in thousands of churches across the land as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed, His Word read, and His praises sung, not only on Sunday morning but also on Sunday evening, despite the pathetic, lingering pressure to cut back services for the sake of a football game. This pressure is less than it was 20 years ago when I started in the ministry, but no thanks to denominational leaders who think that a vague reference to Christ in the midst of a celebration of human prowess, lewdness, and alcohol is the most important thing that happened this past Lord’s Day.
I’m thinking that next year we should show “Chariots of Fire.” On Saturday night. Sunday I’ll preach. When we have athletes like Eric Liddell again, I’ll join the celebration. HE was a role model. “It’s na’ a day t’ be playin’ football, is it?”