News |
Bucs
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Special bond: signed, sealed
By RICK STROUD
Published July 18, 2007
|
Former Bucs head coach, Tony Dungy greets Melanee Holder and her son before signing their copies of his new book 'Quiet Strength' at Borders on S. Dale Mabry.
|
 |
|
[Times photo: Julia Kumari Drapkin]
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
 |
|
[Times photo: Julia Kumari Drapkin]
Rocco Capabianco holds his signed copy of Tony Dungy's book.
|
|
TAMPA
It was 4:40 Tuesday morning when auto mechanic Johnny P. Dixon arrived at Borders on Dale Mabry, becoming the first in line waiting to have his book signed by Colts coach Tony Dungy.
Nearly 12 hours later, Dixon got his wish when Dungy autographed his memoir, Quiet Strength.
The demand was so high for the former Buc coach's autograph that Borders was forced to allow only the first 400 people to get in line for the book signing. Dixon, who received a wristband at 9 a.m., left for breakfast and returned. He said he was being paid by his boss to get two books signed by Dungy.
It was basically the same story in Lakeland earlier Tuesday and at Lifeway Christian Store in Citrus Park. Dungy's wife, Lauren, and Nathan Whitaker, who co-wrote the book, also participated in the signing.
"It's hard to imagine," Dungy said. "You know it's going to be a nice response, but I never expected anything like this. But Tampa has been so special over the last 11 years and it continues."
Among those waiting in line was one of Dungy's former players, defensive end Steve White.
"It just shows the impact Coach Dungy had beyond football on this community," White said.
Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.
[Last modified July 17, 2007, 23:44:59]
Share your thoughts on this story
Comments on this article
|
by joann
|
07/18/07 09:27 PM
|
|
thank you and your lovely wife .for signing our books..you are a inspiration to us all.may god bless you and your family many times over...i say tony dungy for president on 2008...go tony..
|
|
by George
|
07/18/07 06:08 PM
|
|
I think the owners should not have let this gifted coach leave. If the owners would have been patience. Tampa may have been to the Super Bowl back to back under coach Dungy. He is one of a kind and future hall of fame individual.
|
|
by Raymara
|
07/18/07 01:24 PM
|
|
After what the bucs did to him and he brought the bucs to where they were to win a superbowl and take him off the team it just shows what god can do it did hold him back just made him strong an win a superbowl.
|
|
by Sherrrill
|
07/18/07 11:06 AM
|
|
It's a fact Tampa Bay loves the Dungy's,
and many fans still consider him as our
coach regardless.
|
|
by Larry
|
07/18/07 10:42 AM
|
|
WE LOVE YOU TONY! Thank you for being the real strength behind some wonderful Buccaneer memories. Take care, and may God bless you... CHAMP!
|
|
by Benny
|
07/18/07 10:21 AM
|
|
Class Act always!
|
|
by Sue
|
07/18/07 09:41 AM
|
|
We miss you Tony!!!! Congrats on the superbowl win. But even more congrats that your character never changed even as Joel Glazer lied to you. If half the people in the world including me had the principles and attitudes as you we would all be better.
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Letter to the editor
