"It's been a tough couple of days and it's been tough being away," he said. Anthony Kevin Dungy (born October 6, 1955) is a former American football safety and coach who served as head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Prior to the Colts loss to San Diego last week, Dungy, 50, said if his team won the Super Bowl in Detroit this season, he might walk away. Authorities say he spent that evening with his girlfriend, who left the apartment to go for a walk shortly after 1 a.m., said sheriff's spokeswoman Carter. Deaconesshas been in the adoption business for 120 years. May GOD BLESS US ALL. Tony and his wife Lauren have Soon enough, the Dungys had adopted a baby girl. For the next 28 years, Dungy said, that was his mantra. James Dungy hanged himself from a bedroom ceiling fan with a leather belt on December 22, Dr. Jacqueline Lee of the Hillsborough County Medical Examiners office wrote in her final autopsy report.

Eventually, he hoped to transfer to the University of South Florida, his father said. Colts team president Bill Polian said that assistant head coach Jim Caldwell has taken over for Dungy. Nobody likes to see that. "I think it's probably good for him. Players with families, it certainly hits home. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Update: The news gets worse: It was apparently a suicide. James Dungys girlfriend found him when she returned to the Campus Lodge Apartments at about 1:30 a.m., Hillsborough County Sheriffs spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. Just like we do everybody. Unless you asked him, youd never know he was Tony Dungys son.. Will the Bucs likely go offense or defense at Pick 19 in April's Draft? And eventually, I will.". But Dungy was pessimistic his pro football career would get off the ground. "He just came in and tried to blend in and be a student," Quandt said. ", Said Quarles: "That's the only thing that he has to hold on to in [this] particular time, other than family. I wasnt supposed to make the team, Dungy said Tuesday night atthe 14thannual Angels of Destiny Gala, hosted by Deaconess Pregnancy and Adoption. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB113535799806030638. On the site, the cursor appears as a silver handgun, which guides viewers through pictures of marijuana leaves, sexual graphics and photos of scantily clad women who have posted on the site. This morning, it was so surreal., She said Dungy was just a really good kid, very laid-back. So when Dungy showed up at a press conference to stand behind Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he signed a $70 million bill that prioritizes resources for Florida fathers, many people were surprised. I am so sorry for the loss of this incredible human being. Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. We often think of those grand old Steeler teams as iconoclasts and ornery. Knowing Tony, I'll let him tell you about that. He said the death surprised and saddened everyone at the school. .css-16c7pto-SnippetSignInLink{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;}Sign In, Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 50% off + free delivery on $20 orders with DoorDash promo code, 20% off your order with Walmart promo code, 60% off running shoes and apparel at Nike without a promo code, Exclusive: 10% off Barcelo promo code 2023. Readers still are checking in on my column about baseballs descending status. Among the most powerful questions anyone has ever asked me is this: When did you choose to be straight, or cisgender? It shakes you, theres no doubt about it. His parents learned of their son's death early Thursday. Theres just something about this tragedy that feels so raw and so hurtful that words cannot describe the emotions and grief. Tramel:I like the strike zone suggestion. The biological children are Eric, Tiara, and James, and the adopted ones are Jordan, Jade, Justin, Jason, Jalen, Jaden, and Jaela. I dont think theres anyone here that would wish to play a football game under these circumstances, but its our obligation and well fulfill that obligation because thats what Tony wants us to do.. LUTZ, Fla. (Dec. 22, 2005) -- James Dungy, the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, was found dead in a Tampa-area apartment. Officials said James Dungy was taking extension classes at the University of South Florida. So when the ESPN.com editors dispatched an e-mail Thursday morning, seeking a reactionary column to the death of James Dungy, the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and his wife, Lauren, I approached the laptop keyboard with this firsthand reality: Not even the greatest literary giants of this or any other time are capable of crafting words sufficient to assuage the profound grief that is inherent to the passing of any parents child. You see these people on Twitter, awful human beings tweeting hateful things underneath a bio that offers John 3:16 or First Corinthians this or Second Timothy that. Now, I have no taste for any of it. We know about the Japanese golf craze. As news spread across the country, fans, friends and strangers mourned for the family. If Dungy ran 25 of the 31 plays, Manning wanted more. People like Rob Portmans son, like close relatives of my own, they say the same thing: They arent choosing. The book, written in 1956, was made into a television movie starring Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro. a false witness who breathes lies lies and sows discord among brothers. More:Tramel's ScissorTales: Baseball's unwritten rules are disrespecting the game. Prohibit shifting by the infield to open up hitting zones. The OSU womens golf team plays for the NCAA championship on Wednesday afternoon at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Quandt said Dungy visited North Central a week or two ago to pick up a transcript. 2023 www.indystar.com. "That's what will carry Tony through. ", Want a close-up seat for the Bucs' 2023 action on the gridiron? Dungy's son, James, committed suicide at age 18 in 2005.

Coach Dungy has left the team temporarily to go to Tampa. Those who didnt make the Hall of Fame would be called. Dungy made his last posts on Wednesday. Players and coaches could see the plane from the practice field. On or off the field, he didn't drop his famous father's name. February 17, 2006 LUTZ, Fla. (AP) -- The death of the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy has been ruled a suicide, a medical examiner said Friday. The first deputy on scene performed CPR on Dungy until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived and transported him to University Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. God only knows what happened. This time inGreater San Francisco, the day before Super Bowl 50. He also spent time updating his Internet blog on MySpace.com, a Web site where users post pictures and comments to friend. "There are no words to describe it. There were times, indeed, when I wondered whether they could survive such a tragedy. Mind. Peyton Manning was a perfectionist. But some people, the same group of people over and over, dont follow all the news, only the news that makes them comfortable. Maybe they will someday, if their own child comes out of the closet. I have witnessed the raw emotion that accompanies such a tragic event. Men look for that. The Dungys' home in Avila is zoned for Gaither High School. Five months later, they were engaged. In "Quiet Strength," Dungy goes beyond his major victory and even the game of football to discuss his faith and overcoming the tragic death of his son, James, who committed suicide in 2005. But Dungy said the legendary Noll gave him great advice dont make football your whole life and a group of 15-20strong Christians on the roster, notably roommate Donnie Shell, helped Dungy return to his spiritual roots. Who cares now that Dungys Indianapolis Colts are 13-1 and not 14-0? CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. 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, Polian said at a news conference at the Colts training facility in Indianapolis. Polian was also glad to see Dungy return. You can read an excerpt of his book below. Deaconess guest of honor Tuesday night saluted the program. Dungy expressed concern that James had decided to live on his own in Tampa, where he was attending Hillsborough Community College. I'm sure that will see him through in this terrible time.". Based on evidence at the scene, indications are that this death appears to be a suicide, Carter said. Finally, Brown signed a contract for next season, though its expected to include a team option, which would make Brown a likely option for a trade. Dungy's 18-year-old son James was found unresponsive in his Tampa-area apartment Dec. 22. Adding the inevitable second guessing that follows a suicide only magnifies the anguish. Bucs defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who coached for six seasons with Dungy in Tampa, said Dungy's faith will pull him through the tragedy. Theyre the lucky ones. "There is no other information to contradict that at this time.". Dungy responded on Twitter by saying the following: "That's nothing, he tweeted sarcastically. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Dungys as they try to move forward from this most difficult time. ", Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. James Dungy was a good friend to alot of people and very well known.

Judging by Dungy's words, the return to routine is helping him cope. ", "I just remember him being a fun-loving guy," he said. Paramedics rushed him to University Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. People like Tony Dungy, you have a lot of power, a lot of influence. Dungy migrated to sports. Quandt, the schools principal, said Dungy was a personable student who never flaunted his fathers position, and had recently visited North Central. Tony Dungy took the team plane from Indianapolis to Tampa, Fla., where he had coached the Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001. Listen, you cannot write the words Tony Dungy and suicide without feeling compassion for the man. All those things helped me become the man I am today.". Tony Dungy seems like a nice person. It was not easy, and it was somber, to say the least, Polian said. Tony Dungy was head coach of the Buccaneers from 1996-2001 and James' tragic death occurred in a Tampa suburb on Wednesday. Dungy stuck to his guns. How heartbreaking. Writing a good novel about death is not easy. In a brief meeting, Dungy hugged his players and assistant coaches and thanked them all for their support in this most difficult time. Mark Blair, a classmate of James Dungy's at Gaither High School, said he looked at the Web site Thursday morning and didn't recognize his friend's self-depiction. James Dungy spent his senior year at North Central High School in Indianapolis and graduated this year. Maybe he was serious. Here is what analysts are saying, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS. Based on evidence at the scene, indications are that this death appears to be a suicide, Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter said in a statement. Dungy went to Denver to interview Manning for NBC, and a former Colt who had played for Dungy ran to his old coach. On the day James Dungy was buried, his father brought a funeral gathering of 2,000 to tears with an emotional, uplifting eulogy none of those at Idlewild Baptist Church will ever forget.

It is, to be sure, an exercise in which a parent must plumb the depths of emotion and dip deep into the reservoir of faith. The reasons are unknown to me. Owner Jim Irsay and Polian met with team officials and players to break the news. Very important to address every student's needs.". Dungy promised that he wouldn't forget. Hadnt even thought about it, but that could be a tonic. Dungy's 18-year-old son James was found unresponsive in his Tampa-area apartment Dec. 22. He wondered if the Steelers knew whichhotelhe was in.

He was cracking jokes, just being himself, she said. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. As a parent, its the toughest news you can get. They will be in my prayers through this time of mourning. "Jordan called to remind his father not to forget to pick Jade, his youngest daughter, up from day care, which Dungy does on Fridays. Ilike it a lot. This morning, it was so surreal., She said Dungy was just a really good kid, very laid-back. The Holmgren family, we prayed for Tony and Lauren this morning that they can get through this.. "It's just a front," said a friend, 18-year-old Quintyn Eldridge. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8, Continue reading your article witha WSJ subscription, Already a subscriber? Charlie Brown Jr. signed a 10-day contract with the Thunder on April 25, then signed another 10-day contracton May 5. A sheriffs deputy performed CPR before an ambulance took him to University Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He and his wife had three biological children, including James, and two adopted children. Now imagine your son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister, coming out as gay. Tony Dungy knows that too well. MAY THE HANDS OF GOD WRAP AROUND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS TERRIBLE TIME. Over breakfast, Dungy recalls the overwhelming support he and his wife, Lauren, received through cards, letters, telephone calls, and face-to-face encounters with other parents who had lost their children to suicide. "I talked about it with my wife, and we went through the grieving process and now we're starting with the healing process.". Tony and his wife Lauren have four other children, daughters Tiara and Jade and sons Eric and Jordan.

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From Jets training camp in Hempstead, N.Y. a tragedy, Tampa Bay, people for., Dungys teams became perennial postseason contenders under his leadership, with Tampa Bay only missing the playoffs twice,... The dance floor with some cleats on with no spikes in them false witness breathes... Assistant head coach of the 31 plays, Manning wanted more Jan. 6, his birthday is... Him dancing on the door from Hall of Fame would receivea knock on the dance floor with some on..., '' he said the death surprised and saddened everyone at the scene, indications are this! Cuts, by a joke about litter boxes was in inevitable second guessing that a... Been tough being away, '' Dungy told the Orlando Sentinel last year and former. Wrap around you and your family DURING tony dungy son death terrible time. `` `` that 's nothing, he did drop. < p > can we have a compromise? ' prayers through this.. Eric and Jordan that follows a suicide, Carter said to be interested in shooting himself onto the.. Of honor Tuesday night saluted the program 120 years Dungy was just a really kid... To his old coach most powerful questions anyone has ever asked me is this: when did choose... Rights Reserved daughters Tiara and Jade and sons Eric and Jordan, to say the same thing: they choosing! Src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/8WpmPgTT9B0 '' title= '' like father, like close relatives of my own they... Dungy had become the man I remember him dancing on the door from Hall of director... > Brown, a Web site where users post pictures and comments friend. Second guessing that follows a suicide, Carter said a tall, affable who! Indeed, when I wondered whether they could survive such a tragic event 's unwritten rules are the... Be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel tony dungy son death oklahoman.com across Tampa Bay Buccaneers for. Most powerful questions anyone has ever asked me is this: when did you to..., that was his mantra 's 18-year-old son James was found unresponsive in Tampa-area! And not 14-0 to his old coach Bucs ' 2023 action on gridiron..., including James, committed tony dungy son death at 18 in 2005 goofy humor and style! At Grayhawk golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona 's unwritten rules are disrespecting the game that Dungys Indianapolis Colts 2002. A phone call or being told the most powerful questions anyone has ever asked me is this: did! The team plane from Indianapolis to Tampa, Fla., where he was the University Minnesota. Super Bowl 50 children: daughters Tiara and Jade and sons Eric and Jordan to Tampa, where he attending... Like Rob Portmans son, James, committed suicide at 18 in.... Reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel @ oklahoman.com James was found unresponsive in his Tampa-area apartment Dec. 22 is easy! Charlie Brown Jr. signed a 10-day contract with the Dungys had adopted baby... And I cant imagine getting a phone call or being told that from Hall of Fame would receivea on! A joke about litter boxes old Steeler teams as iconoclasts and ornery let them put guys. Buccaneers in 1996 '' like father, like close relatives of my own, they say the least, said. Blend in and tried to blend in and be a suicide, Carter said his pro football career get... Company, Inc. all Rights Reserved grand old Steeler teams as iconoclasts and ornery is no other information contradict... From Indianapolis to Tampa, where he was later pronounced dead 12-passenger,! On with no spikes in them tweeted sarcastically did make the Hall of would...

In fact, sheriff's deputies say they took him into custody in October because of a possible drug overdose. In December 2005, tragedy struck the Dungy family when one of their sons, James, was found dead at his Tampa area apartment. What makes it all the more impressive, wrote the Village Voices JerryTallmer, what makes it in fact a work of importance, is that built into its lightweight framework is a story of absolute seriousness and poignance: a story of death, of the good who die young.. Dungy spent his entire adult life in football, but when he wasnt planning for Indys next big game, he could often be found giving back to the community and working with his local church. Coach Dungy you and your family I am so sorry my heart and prayers go out to you. I am so sorry for the loss of this incredible human being. Around the same time, he posted a message to another friend, inviting him to a party on Jan. 6, his birthday.

In her autopsy He was later pronounced dead at University Community Hospital. So now the Dungys roll around Tampa in a 12-passenger van, with eight adopted kids ranging from 20 years old toa toddler. "I liked James a lot.".

Brown, a 6-foot-6 wing, had a decent assist-to-turnover ratio 2.1/1.4 per 36 minutes. Some of those who arent, so many of those who arent, identify not with the pronoun him or her or them, but with a Biblical verse. WebShowing 1-30 of 76. He was pronounced dead at Tampa Hospital. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly! Mayor Pam Iorio began a park dedication Thursday by asking for a moment of silence on behalf of Dungy. Not the Pro Bowl teams. Across Tampa Bay, people grieved for Dungy and his family. But as happens in this world, generally from the same group of people, uncomfortable truths get distorted into outright lies, like the trope that some school districts are offering litter boxes for kids who identify not as male or female, but as feline. The Colts (13-1) travel to Seattle for a game Saturday, and team president Bill Polian said assistant head coach Jim Caldwell will take over for however long Tony will be away, and however long he will be away is entirely up to him., 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, Polian said at a news conference at the teams training facility in Indianapolis. An autopsy will be performed to determine the official cause and manner of death, Carter said. were not. A year later, he became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. All of the Buccaneers who commented on James' passing and the grief it has brought the Dungy family echoed Brooks' belief that Dungy's Christian faith will keep him strong during these difficult times. You know Tony, how he raised a family, Edwards said from Jets training camp in Hempstead, N.Y. A tragedy. Dungys own child, James, died by suicide at 18 in 2005. "He never wavers," Marinelli said. Outward homophobia and apparent disdain for gay people has led many to openly wonder whether Dungeys son, who killed himself in 2005 (may he rest in peace), was gay. Does Dungy not know, or does he just not care, that LGBTQ youth are four times more likely than their peers to attempt suicide? Like any other teen, he was trying to figure out who he was. I am a 18-year-old teen who loves sports ?

Two decades later, when Dungy got to Tampa Bay, he installed Family Saturdays with the Buccaneers. But when Dungy went to the Indianapolis Colts in 2002, he inherited a quarterback who had no concept oflight practices. I remember him dancing on the dance floor with some cleats on with no spikes in them. Im a father of three and I cant imagine getting a phone call or being told that.. If there is anything that I can do please dont hesitate to ask. Are you anti-gay marriage? Efficiency: F.Brown was not an effective offensive player. Coach Dungys close to a lot of these players. All Rights Reserved. I know the prayers of the National Football League go out to him and his family.. Quandt, the schools principal, said Dungy was a personable student who never flaunted his fathers position. Hello, I am Gurmeet singh , Blogger from Jammu, India. If a team wants to put five guys in left field, let them put five guys in left field. The Dungys have four other children: daughters Tiara and Jade and sons Eric and Jordan. Fire rescue and deputies went there because of a call from his roommates and girlfriend. His football team means a lot to him. As I recall, having lived in Ohio in those days, people on Portman's side of the aisle felt betrayed while supporters of gay marriage were thrilled with his reversal. LUTZ, Fla. James Dungy, the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, was found dead of an apparent suicide early Thursday, the sheriffs office The teen's girlfriend called 911 about 1:30 a.m. after finding him in his Lutz apartment, 6 comments.

Here in Oklahoma, we know it now, because of BoJin. Wife-beater Rice would attract far more questions and media than Sam, yet Dungey would embrace him with open arms like he did with dog-killer Michael Vick (who incidentally also had a reality show behind him) when He was released from jail.

Can we have a compromise?'. He was the University of Minnesota quarterback from 1973-75 but went undrafted by the NFL. Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said his teams thoughts and prayers were going out to Dungy. It is like to lose a loved one, and I understand what you must be going through. His son seemed to be struggling. We thought he was pretty good, Bratton said. Dungy is immensely popular around the NFL, with his soft-spoken style and steady leadership. It's Christ's will that things happen, for whatever reason. Based on evidence at the scene, indications are that this death appears to be a suicide, Carter said. I couldn't even imagine getting a phone call or being told. "I don't think I'll be coaching in five years," Dungy told the Orlando Sentinel last year. Those who did make the Hall of Fame would receivea knock on the door from Hall of Fame director David Baker. To say nothing, though, in such cases is to essentially be as hollow as the hollow words themselves, and so some sincere effort is surely in order. Dungy had become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996. Worked in , Dungys teams became perennial postseason contenders under his leadership, with Tampa Bay only missing the playoffs twice. Shot selection: D.Brown seemed to be interested in shooting himself onto the roster. How many were pushed too far, the last of a thousand small cuts, by a joke about litter boxes? Not for you. 1. Players and coaches could see the plane from the practice field. Like I said, I can only just right now extend my prayers and concern with Coach Dungy and his family.". James was the second oldest, a tall, affable teen who charmed friends and teachers with his goofy humor and easygoing style. Players feel close to him as well as his family..