INDIANAPOLIS - Wilbur Dungy, father of Colts coach Tony Dungy, died Tuesday night at age 78 after a battle with leukemia.
Tony, former coach of the Buccaneers, attended a team session Wednesday because he said his father, an ardent fan of games and practices, wanted him there.
He said his father, a former educator, had a heavy influence on him as a child and an adult.
"He liked to watch any type of learning setting," Dungy told the media after practice. "That's what I told the players today. He was a teacher. I used to tell the team all the time something he said: "If your week goes well and if you study well, the test will go fine.' That's something we believe in and try to practice."
Services will be Monday in Jackson, Mich. The Dungys request donations be made to the Cleo Mae Dungy Diabetes Fund, 1310 Greenwood Ave., Suite 6, Jackson, Mich., 49203.
BROWNS: Quarterback Tim Couch will be released after resolution of a grievance he recently filed with the NFL Players Association against the team for banning him from working out, AP reported.
NINERS: General manager Terry Donahue said All-Pro linebacker Julian Peterson was offered the largest contract in franchise history but doubted it would be accepted. Peterson has been a no-show at minicamps since the Niners placed the franchise tag on him after he rejected a contract.
NFL EUROPE: Rohan Davey, a backup quarterback with the Super Bowl champion Patriots, was named offensive MVP. Browns end Corey Jackson won the defensive MVP award.
OBITUARY: Bob Schmitz, a linebacker for the Steelers in the 1960s and more recently a scout for the Jets, died Tuesday in Glendale, Ariz. He was 65.
