Bucs/NFL

What they say about Dungy

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 27, 2007

"Tony always said that if all we did was win a championship, it wasn't enough. He said we had a responsibility to be role models."

JOHN LYNCH, Broncos' safety, former Buc

"Tony was the guy who turned it around. We were the orangesickles. We were losers. Tony changed that."

TIM RUSKELL, Seattle Seahawks general manager and former Bucs director of personnel

"He's a man of character, and you don't have to be a genius to discover that. Tampa got rid of what they wanted and got what they wanted. Indianapolis got what they wanted and is happy with what Tampa didn't want."

ABE BROWN, director of Abe Brown Ministries, one of Dungy's charities

"The day he was fired is etched in my mind. I can see it now. He was in the rain, in the dark, carrying books to his car. Everybody knows he was done wrong, but he didn't return insult."

JEFFEREY SINGLETARY, pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church

"There have been a whole group of Bucs fans who were made since the year 1996. I don't know what the percentage is, but I would guess it's as much as 70 percent. As much as there are, many fans who will tell you they've been there from the start. I think that's the case. And those fans grew up and saw the franchise grow up and change."

RICH MCKAY, Falcons' general manager and former Bucs' general manager

"I couldn't think of a better spokesman than Tony Dungy to be lead spokesman for our All-Pro Dad program. He was our spokesman when he didn't win every game and didn't go to the Super Bowl, and he's still our spokesmen. We're able to reach men from all walks of life, from all socioeconomic classes, from all races, because of Tony Dungy and his message."

MARK MERRILL, president of Family First

"There are things this game can do to you. It can make you arrogant or big-headed. But it never did with Tony."

DERRICK BROOKS, Bucs linebacker

"When you're around him, you feel honored to be there. I shouldn't say that, because he won't like me saying it. But it's true."

RONDE BARBER, Bucs cornerback

"He went into prisons with us. He didn't just go in, he wasn't so busy that he didn't take time to talk with men and encourage them to do what was right and refuse to do what was wrong. All of us make mistakes, but man should learn from his mistakes and do better."

Abe Brown

"He was loyal. He stuck by me. He taught me that life isn't just about football. He treated you like a man, and he challenged me to be involved in the community."

WARRICK DUNN, Falcons running back and former Buc

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 19:07:06]