Phin Power Tony Dungy And Family

[iuparrothead]

Wow. That is tragic.

[Quiet and Shy]

Well let me stir things up a bit. This is supposedly a link to his Myspace Page....

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... 9708884615

Under "heroes" down toward the bottom he writes:

the D.C. Snipers, cause they let ya'll crackas kno tha ya'll aren't carzy race in the world, plus nobody would ever guess tha they were black (i thought they were white). Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers. oh yea say werd my nigga Pac, and in case ya'll didn't kno he is alive and i've seen visual footage

Now, I have no proof whatsoever that this is REALLY his myspace page, but I gotta tell ya.. If it is, good riddens scumbag!

Shane, you are WAAAAAAY out of line here.

[nycparrothead]

Well let me stir things up a bit. This is supposedly a link to his Myspace Page....

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... 9708884615

Under "heroes" down toward the bottom he writes:

the D.C. Snipers, cause they let ya'll crackas kno tha ya'll aren't carzy race in the world, plus nobody would ever guess tha they were black (i thought they were white). Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers. oh yea say werd my nigga Pac, and in case ya'll didn't kno he is alive and i've seen visual footage

Now, I have no proof whatsoever that this is REALLY his myspace page, but I gotta tell ya.. If it is, good riddens scumbag!

Anyone could have posted that and attached his name to it.....

I know... And I hope they did...

[nycparrothead]

Well let me stir things up a bit. This is supposedly a link to his Myspace Page....

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... 9708884615

Under "heroes" down toward the bottom he writes:

the D.C. Snipers, cause they let ya'll crackas kno tha ya'll aren't carzy race in the world, plus nobody would ever guess tha they were black (i thought they were white). Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers. oh yea say werd my nigga Pac, and in case ya'll didn't kno he is alive and i've seen visual footage

Now, I have no proof whatsoever that this is REALLY his myspace page, but I gotta tell ya.. If it is, good riddens scumbag!

Shane, you are WAAAAAAY out of line here.

Because it could be anyone that posted that page?

Or are you saying that I'm out of line even if this is his page?

Cause I'll give you the first one and apologize but I won't apologize for the second scenerio...

[Quiet and Shy]

Well let me stir things up a bit. This is supposedly a link to his Myspace Page....

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... 9708884615

Under "heroes" down toward the bottom he writes:

the D.C. Snipers, cause they let ya'll crackas kno tha ya'll aren't carzy race in the world, plus nobody would ever guess tha they were black (i thought they were white). Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers. oh yea say werd my nigga Pac, and in case ya'll didn't kno he is alive and i've seen visual footage

Now, I have no proof whatsoever that this is REALLY his myspace page, but I gotta tell ya.. If it is, good riddens scumbag!

Shane, you are WAAAAAAY out of line here.

Because it could be anyone that posted that page?

Or are you saying that I'm out of line even if this is his page?

Cause I'll give you the first one and apologize but I won't apologize for the second scenerio...

Even if it is his page, the kid is dead. He was 18 years old. Tell me you didn't do anything rebellious or stupid back when you were that age?? Nobody's perfect and it's a tragedy for his family. Saying "good riddance" that he's dead is cruel and disgusting. Try to show just a bit of class.

[nycparrothead]

Even if it is his page, the kid is dead. He was 18 years old. Tell me you didn't do anything rebellious or stupid back when you were that age?? Nobody's perfect and it's a tragedy for his family. Saying "good riddance" that he's dead is cruel and disgusting. Try to show just a bit of class.

He's 18.. A legal adult... When I was 18 I was joining the military, not calling serial killers my hero. I don't know the kid so you're right, saying "good riddance" was in bad taste and for that I apologize. I also feel bad for the Dungy family. But looking at that page didn't give me a very good impression of the kid. And kids with similar feelings have killed people before so I've just got a little trouble feeling too bad about it...
This really isn't the right place for this debate and I'm sorry I brought it up. I will reserve further comment on this....

[Quiet and Shy]

Even if it is his page, the kid is dead. He was 18 years old. Tell me you didn't do anything rebellious or stupid back when you were that age?? Nobody's perfect and it's a tragedy for his family. Saying "good riddance" that he's dead is cruel and disgusting. Try to show just a bit of class.

He's 18.. A legal adult... When I was 18 I was joining the military, not calling serial killers my hero. I don't know the kid so you're right, saying "good riddance" was in bad taste and for that I apologize. I also feel bad for the Dungy family. But looking at that page didn't give me a very good impression of the kid. And kids with similar feelings have killed people before so I've just got a little trouble feeling too bad about it...
This really isn't the right place for this debate and I'm sorry I brought it up. I will reserve further comment on this....

Thanks.

[jimolliemom]

I feel for any parent who loses a child. We just recently lost a freind who was 17. It hurts. no matter who you are...it hurts.

((Dungy family))

[margaritagrl26]

God bless the family.

[balcony girls #2]

my prayers and thoughts are with Tony & his family...
especially sad this time of year!

[Zuke]

The latest:

LUTZ, Fla. (AP) - James Dungy, the 18-year-old son of
Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, was found dead of an apparent
suicide in his Tampa-area apartment early Thursday, the sheriff's
office said.
James Dungy's girlfriend found him when she returned to the
Campus Lodge Apartments at about 1:30 a.m., Hillsborough County
Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.
"Based on evidence at the scene, indications are that this
death appears to be a suicide," Carter said. "There is no
evidence to contradict that at this time."
However, Carter said, an autopsy will be performed to determine
the official cause and manner of death. She released no additional
details about what deputies found at the scene.
When Dungy's girlfriend found him, he wasn't breathing, Carter
said. A sheriff's deputy performed CPR before an ambulance rushed
him to University Community Hospital, she said. He was pronounced
dead there.
Tony Dungy has left the Colts and is in Tampa, where he coached
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001. The Colts (13-1) are at
Seattle on Saturday, and team president Bill Polian said that
assistant head coach Jim Caldwell has taken over for Dungy.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[LIPH]

The Colts losing the chance for an undefeated season seems so trivial now. It's just a game, it doesn't really mean anything at all in the big picture.

[Quiet and Shy]

Here's a Dec. '04 article from the Indy Star...about Tony Dungy the father and his boys.

Coach Is Close To His Family
By Mike Chappell
Mike.chappell@indystar.com

A young Tony Dungy sat in front of a microscope his father used in one of his science classes as a teacher at Jackson (Mich.) Junior College and, squinting through the lens, tried to get a clear picture of Wilbur's world.

It was the perfect way for Dungy, now the Indianapolis Colts' head coach, to connect with his father.
Wilbur Dungy died nearly six months ago at 78, a victim of leukemia. But the impression he left on his son was indelible and will be evident in the RCA Dome on Sunday when Dungy's Colts play Tennessee.

Situated somewhere on the Colts' sideline, adorned in team gear and oozing energy, will be Tony's two oldest sons -- 17-year-old James and 12-year-old Eric. Like their father, who was knee-deep in Wilbur's beakers and books, they will be immersed in Tony's workplace.

"Coaches have to spend so much time away from their family that it's neat as a coach to have the luxury of having your kids at practice or at a game with you,'' Colts punter Hunter Smith said. "It makes for great memories for coach Dungy and his kids, and us.''

The timeline has been the same for James and Eric. They tagged along to practice when they were 3 or 4, then graduated to game-day duty when they turned 8 or 9.

"I've always tried to spend as much time with them at work as I could,'' Dungy said. "Obviously when you become head coach, you can set the rules. You're the boss.''

That was obvious when the Colts visited Jacksonville in 2002.

"A (Jaguars official) came over and said, 'You've got someone too young on the sideline,' '' Tony Dungy said. "Eric had been doing it for four years by then.

"I just told the guy, 'We've done this every place I've been. I'd hate to forfeit this game, but if that's what you want we can leave right now.' ''

The game proceeded, with Eric on the field.

James' chores have included chasing down the football after extra points and holding the cords for an assistant coach's headset.

"We're into wireless now,'' James said. "I haven't had anything to do since they went wireless.''

That isn't necessarily a bad thing. In 1998, James was holding the cords for Tampa Bay assistant coach Clyde Christensen. At one point, he became preoccupied watching the stadium's Jumbotron. Soon, James was on the Jumbrotron, in the path of the play.

Christensen sidestepped the mass of rambling humanity. But James sustained a concussion. "I got crushed,'' he said.

Among Eric's game-day duties is sprinting onto the field and retrieving the tee following kickoffs.

"Sometimes I warm up the punters or field the punts,'' he said.

Sometimes Eric and James yield to the emotion of the moment. They are, after all, just kids.

Eric received some major "face time'' on prime-time TV when the Colts defeated the Minnesota Vikings on ABC's "Monday Night Football." Although the NFL outlawed the team's pre-kickoff "bob-and-sway'' routine, players are allowed to shimmy and shake, do whatever, on the sideline.

Prior to one kickoff, tight end Marcus Pollard began swaying, playing to the crowd. Eric made it a rhythmic twosome.

"We have to work on his sideline demeanor,'' Tony said, a smile creeping across his face.

It's a privilege, not a right

James and Eric will be on the floor of the RCA Dome on Sunday, keeping busy or simply staying out of the way as their dad's latest game unfolds.

"They know the lay of the land and how to interact,'' Tony said.

They also know the opportunity to interact with Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne must be earned. Eric won't be retrieving the kicking tee if he fumbles his school work during the week.

"It's a very good learning experience,'' said Lauren, Tony's wife. "If you do well in school or if you work hard during the week, then you have the privilege of being with the team or traveling with the team.''

James, a senior at North Central High School who, at 6-7 and 235 pounds, occasionally has been mistaken for one of his father's players, knows the drill. It's understood . . . "if you don't keep your grades up, you don't go to away games,'' he said.

Dungy's sons are in a unique spot. Not many youngsters get to be involved with NFL games at such a basic level.

"I think it's pretty cool that Eric is always around,'' Wayne said. "I know when I was growing up in New Orleans, if I had had that chance, I would have loved it. You get a little bragging rights around your friends.''

Eric was a 105-pound defensive back for Park Tudor's seventh-grade team. During one of his games this fall, his sideline cheering section included Manning, Wayne and Edgerrin James. Since Tony was busy, Manning used his cell phone to provide occasional updates.

"Eric had one interception -- he's playing DB, wearing No. 88 for Marvin, I'm sure -- so I called coach,'' Manning said. "As I was on the phone with coach, Eric picked off another one. Tony didn't believe me.''

Tony wished he could have been there. Wilbur missed only a handful of Tony's games from elementary school through high school. Because of the demands of being an NFL coach, Tony saw James play football only once in Tampa and was unable to attend any of Eric's games this year.

"That's something I'll regret,'' Tony said. "Peyton and Reggie are telling me, 'Eric did this and here's what happened.' I would have liked to have been there. You do what you can.''

All in the family

As much as possible, Tony is there for all five of his children.

"He's always asking us if we want to go to basketball games or take in a movie or come to the office,'' James Dungy said.

"I enjoy being with my dad and talking to him,'' Eric said.

Lauren never was concerned that her husband's job would preclude him from maintaining a close relationship with their children. The foundation for family was laid by Tony's parents -- Dungy's mother, Cleomae, died in January 2002 after a lengthy bout with diabetes -- and has been reinforced through life experiences.

While coaching the Buccaneers, Tony became involved with Family First, a Tampa-based organization dedicated to strengthening the family unit. In 2002, he and Christensen helped launch All Pro Dad, a program designed specifically for fathers.

Lauren said Tony's dedication to his children is a result of Wilbur's influence.

"He was blessed that he had a father who had a close relationship with his son and realized the importance of that,'' Lauren said. "It's not difficult. Just be there, be available.''

The Dungy daughters haven't been excluded, either. Tiara, 20, is a sophomore at Spelman College in Atlanta who prefers to "remain behind the scenes,'' according to Lauren.

Jade, 3, wears a cheerleading outfit to games. "She wants to be out there,'' Lauren said.

And then there's 4-year-old Jordan. The youngest son likely will be the next Dungy to fetch the kicking tee on game day. He already has made a few appearances at a Saturday morning practice.

"You'll definitely see him on the sidelines in a few years,'' Lauren said. "He loves football. He's got that love and passion like Eric.''

[Reefdiver]

Tony Dungy is a class act. Always has been, always will be. I truely feel for him and his family now.

[balcony girls]

Tony Dungy is a class act. Always has been, always will be. I truely feel for him and his family now.

well said. . .

and the city of Tampa is grieving for the loss of one of our own . . . .

in fact. . if you asked any Buc fan . . " suppose Tampa Bay and Indy squared off for the ' Big Game ' . . .who would you root for . . .? ?

Buc fans agree the split would be about 50/50 . . .

the people of Tampa care very deeply for Tony and what he accomplished . .

and are saddened for his loss. . .

[SMLCHNG]

The Colts losing the chance for an undefeated season seems so trivial now. It's just a game, it doesn't really mean anything at all in the big picture.

Amen, Larry. What a tragedy..

[ToplessRideFL]

Update.... this was a very troubled young man... you just have to wonder how and why it happened. My thoughts and prayers are with Coach Dungy and his family!

http://baynews9.com/content/36/2005/12/23/135227.html

"Based on evidence at the scene, indications are that this death appears to be a suicide," the sheriff's office said late Thursday afternoon. "There is no other information to contradict that at this time. However, the autopsy has not been completed."

According to deputies, Dungy appeared to be in trouble a couple months ago. They said he overdosed on drugs and was admitted for psychiatric care under the Baker Act October 22.

Tony Dungy, who has four other children, is currently the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. He has left the Colts indefinitely and returned to Tampa, asking the team to press on without him. Assistant head coach Jim Caldwell has taken over the team.

The Dungy family arrived in Tampa from Indianapolis late Thursday morning. Tony Dungy and his family arrived in Tampa on the Colts' private plane Thursday morning.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone in this building are with Tony and (wife) Lauren, their children and their extended family, and for the repose of James' soul," Colts team president Bill Polian said at a news conference at the team's training facility in Indianapolis. "This is a tragedy for the Dungy family and by extension his football family here with the Colts."

When the family moved to Indianapolis in 2001, James went with them, but returned to Tampa to enroll at Hillsborough Community College and in USF's Outreach program.

"He was a fun-loving kid that loved to be around people, loved to be around sports," said Mark Kantor, Dungy's football coach at Gaither High School. "You could tell mom and dad did a great job with him."

Dungy had a web space at myspace.com. He last used the site on Wednesday, leaving a comment for a friend saying, "can't talk 2 nobody n e more."

Dungy was a fixture on the sidelines at Bucs' games when his father coached the Bucs from 1996-2001.

"Obviously, he was a younger kid then, full of energy," said Bucs' linebacker Derrick Brooks. "And you just knew he was going to grow up to be a productive young man. Right now I can only give my prayers and my concern to Coach Dungy and his family."

The Buccaneers have announced a moment of silence for James Dungy before this Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Dungy's wake will be held December 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wilson Funeral Home in Tampa.

Family and friends will pay their final respects Tuesday morning at 11 at the Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz.

[sailingagain]

Very sad story.