Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy came under fire nearly three years ago for comments he made about young black men in prison and without a father.
Dungy’s comments came as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative in April 2022. The Super Bowl champion head coach drew criticism for his comments almost immediately on social media.
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NBC Sports broadcaster Tony Dungy watches during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on December 23, 2023. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
On Wednesday, Dungy appeared on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich” and defended his comments. Dakich asked Dungy if the world would be open to hearing the facts again.
“I don’t think the facts really affect people much. It’s crazy,” Dungy said. “Fatherlessness is a national problem. And it’s in every community, but especially in the African American community. We have to do something about it. It’s really the number one problem that impacts a lot of other things. The faster we realize that and the faster we work on it, the better off we will be.
“Sometimes because of a political agenda, sometimes because of other things, people can move past the facts and not have to worry about it. A lot of people were upset, but you have to say what’s really happening.”
FILE – In this Nov. 30, 2008 file photo, Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy watches from the sideline as his team plays the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Cleveland. Dungy won a Super Bowl with the Colts after the 2006 season. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
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Dungy is not one to shy away from the things he believes in.
The veteran coach and current NBC analyst opposed Florida’s abortion measure. The measure needed a 60% supermajority to pass, the highest threshold in the country. It failed after 43% voted “No” and 57% voted “Yes.”
He also praised voters for not approving Amendment 3, which would have legalized marijuana.
“The polls are closed in Florida and Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 failed to pass,” he wrote in X.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks about a toll road relief program during a press conference at the Greater Miami Expressway Agency on April 1, 2024 in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“Thank you to all the Floridians who helped protect the lives of the unborn. And we want people to realize that those pregnant women who need help will still be able to get it. Pregnant women with health risks can receive treatment. “The Exceptions Laws against rape and incest are still in effect, but this is a victory for babies.”
