Tony Dungy Famous Quotes & Sayings
100 Tony Dungy Famous Sayings, Quotes and Quotation.
Our goal was to win, to win a Super Bowl, but also to win in the right way, to be role models to our community, to represent Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the National Football League.— Tony Dungy
We have so many young men, especially, who are growing up without their dads. We have to fill that void. We have to do a better job helping young people see what it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman. And then, somehow, we have to put that family structure back together.— Tony Dungy
Football was really my least favorite sport and the last sport that I ended up picking up as a kid. My dad started me off with baseball, which most kids did at that time. I really enjoyed basketball. That was my favorite sport.— Tony Dungy
I wish Michael Sam nothing but the best in his quest to become a star in the NFL,and I am confident he will get the opportunity to show what he can do on the field.— Tony Dungy
I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11— Tony Dungy
I am a firm believer that the Lord sometimes has to short-circuit even our best plans for our benefit.— Tony Dungy
The best solution for falling just short of the goal is to focus on the fundamentals but perform them better.— Tony Dungy
When I was younger I only read sports books. I loved the biographies that told how athletes developed. When I got into coaching, I did start to read more instructional books, but I was always more interested in the people behind the ideas.— Tony Dungy
Don't shed any tears for me. I got to live a dream most people don't get to live.— Tony Dungy
We're not hitting on all cylinders, defensively. When we're playing good, I'll let you know.— Tony Dungy
There are certain bridges that are not worth crossing, no matter what others think. Loyalty and relationships are important.— Tony Dungy
Without Peyton, there would be no Lucas Oil Stadium. This team would be playing in L.A. right now. I don't understand Jim saying this.— Tony Dungy
Stubbornness is a virtue if you are right.— Tony Dungy
How you use the opportunities your given to affect the world around you will determine the legacy you leave behind.— Tony Dungy
When I was15 years old, I couldn't look at the NFL and look on TV and say, 'Boy, there's a head coach, African American. That's something I'd like to do.'— Tony Dungy
I was not asked whether I would have a problem having Michael Sam on my team. I would not.— Tony Dungy
At the end of the day, the only people a One Voice doctrine silences are those who should be the most loyal.— Tony Dungy
Once we had become locked in on a schedule, he (Coach Denny Green) often created a disruption (artificial adversity) to that schedule just to see how guys would respond.— Tony Dungy
You're born with some things inside you that will allow you to lead, but I think you have to take the bull by the horns. You have to want that leadership position, and then there are things you can do to develop that.— Tony Dungy
We have a whole generation of men who don't understand how much they mean to their kids.— Tony Dungy
There are two schools of thought. You can be basic and spend all your time on what your opponents are going to do. Or, you can be very multiple and complex, put a lot of doubt in your opponents' minds and create problems for them with the volume of things you do.— Tony Dungy
We talked about some of our experiences, focusing, hanging together down the stretch, important games. It's not necessarily who has the most talent but what team sticks together and executes their fundamentals the best.— Tony Dungy
Hard work and togetherness. They go hand in hand. You need the hard work because it's such a tough atmosphere ... to win week in and week out. You need togetherness because you don't always win, and you gotta hang though together.— Tony Dungy
I always liked to be fairly simple because you could get more players ready to play quickly. If you lose players to free agency, injuries, etc., it is easier to get young players ready to play in a less complex system.— Tony Dungy
I know when I was an assistant coach and I started interviewing for head coaching jobs, I actually lost out on many jobs, several jobs, and the complaint that I got was, 'Well, he doesn't fit the mold of a head coach. He doesn't look the part. He's not gonna jump up and down. He's not going to scream.'— Tony Dungy
I am thankful that in my current role I can mentor other coaches. I interact directly with seventeen coaches on my staff but I'm also trying to be an example to others outside the organization. I want to prove that it's possible to win or lose while maintaining a calm dignity and respect toward your players, officials, and the opposition. My hope is that my profession can have an impact on countless youth who are looking to their coaches for guidance on sportsmanship, how effort pays off, and the other life lessons that come from competing.— Tony Dungy
The biggest thing you need to be successful with it is a quarterback who wants to be involved in the decision-making process and not just merely want to execute plays sent in to him.— Tony Dungy
We are all important, but we are not indispensable.— Tony Dungy
I learned from Chuck Noll in Pittsburgh that speed and explosiveness on defense is the way to build a team. Both are difficult for your opponent to assimilate in practice and then in games it is even harder to match.— Tony Dungy
You can have an impact anywhere you are.— Tony Dungy
I was gratified by the way our players had approached each game throughout the season. They had remained focused on the task at hand, playing hard and smart week after week. We didn't have any turmoil or distractions. We went about our business as usual. To do that in a setting that often was anything but usual is a testament to the character of our players and coaches. Our process worked; we simply picked a bad year to only be very good.— Tony Dungy
The reason my kids like McDonald's is that they always know what they're going to get. It's not gourmet food, but the french fries they order in Indianapolis are just like the french fries they order in Tampa. Wherever they get McDonald's fries, they know it will be the same. That's what McDonald's does.— Tony Dungy
Everybody needs encouragement, even when things are going well.— Tony Dungy
Others first. Whatever your corporate mission, paint a clear and compelling picture that others can understand and embrace. State your mission in terms that appeal to your team's best instincts. Persuade and empower as if you are leading and mentoring volunteers.— Tony Dungy
It's definitely harder being a dad than a coach.— Tony Dungy
I enjoy watching football on TV. Many times I can visualize the whole field, even on the TV screen, because I still know enough about what the teams are doing.— Tony Dungy
The Lord has a plan. We always think the plans are A, B, C and D, and everything is going to be perfect for us and it may not be that way, but it's still his plan.— Tony Dungy
We wanted guys who had been productive in college, and we made it a point to pick performance over potential.— Tony Dungy
Keeping ridiculous hours doesn't mean you'll be successful.— Tony Dungy
We need somebody to give us a chance.— Tony Dungy
But I know I have a son who doesn't listen to anything I say and if he hears the same thing from someone else, sometimes it has a little more impact.— Tony Dungy
It's okay to wander.— Tony Dungy
If we do what we do without panicking, we can accomplish great things.— Tony Dungy
And one game, as we know, can cost you a lot.— Tony Dungy
I had 10 to 12 close buddies who I played ball with all the way from elementary to high school. That is where I learned to compete.— Tony Dungy
God allows us to feel pain for a reason: to protect us.— Tony Dungy
I can't very well preach unity and tell the guys we're all in this together and everyone's important, then cut a guy because we might improve by one percent if we bring in someone else.— Tony Dungy
When things get difficult it can be easy to complain. How you respond makes all the difference— Tony Dungy
We want to enjoy our families and the hype leading up to the game.— Tony Dungy
So, when it comes to effective leadership, it's not about you and what makes you comfortable or helps you get ahead. It's about other people. It's about serving God by serving others. That's the mind-set of the mentor leader.— Tony Dungy
Anyone who's a parent dreads that call in the middle of the night. I have four grown children and I still dread it.— Tony Dungy
If you want to be an athlete, then getting good grades, going to college, and developing your intellectual skills are important.— Tony Dungy
Engage, educate, equip, encourage, empower, energize, and elevate. Those are the methods for maximizing the potential of any individual, team, organization, or institution for ultimate success and significance. Those are the methods of a mentor leader.— Tony Dungy
Character is the glue that bonds solid and meaningful relationships— Tony Dungy
It's just really making sure I am doing the best job I can do as a dad. I do think that is my No. 1 job.— Tony Dungy
The book is actually called 'A Mentor Leader, a Different Way to Lead.' It really talks about my experience in the way I tried lead our football team, things that I learned from, basically, the coaches that I played for and my parents about leadership. And it is a little bit different, counter to maybe what society says about great leaders.— Tony Dungy
If people didn't know me and only knew my public persona, what I'd want them to know is everything that I do, I do for the Glory of Lord. Because of my Christian faith, that's who I am. I wasn't always that way, but I'm very proud that I am.— Tony Dungy
I guess I'm flattered that people think I can help get things done.— Tony Dungy
That's the key to defending any quarterback: to make them throw before they want to throw.— Tony Dungy
This was the fourth time Lauren and I had seriously contemplated whether being a head coach in the National Football League was where the Lord wanted me to be. I was certain after I had been fired by the Bucs in 2001 that God was moving me and my family into a different role, but He had other plans. We evaluated our options again after the 2005 and 2006 seasons with the Colts, each time concluding that coaching the Colts was God's will for me.— Tony Dungy
Balance provides the chance for longevity. You can be a champion at work and at home.— Tony Dungy
False modesty is an attempt to tear yourself down. True humility focuses more on build up others.— Tony Dungy
As humans, we don't know what we should do. We don't have those instincts like God has given animals. We have to see to know where we are going. It is just a natural human emotion to look for people to emulate.— Tony Dungy
I found that while life drags on when you're losing, it marches on when you're winning.— Tony Dungy
I was a quarterback in college. I hoped to go to the NFL, and I didn't get drafted. I then became a free agent. I could sign with whoever I wanted to, and I ended up going to Pittsburgh.— Tony Dungy
No excuses. No explanations.— Tony Dungy
Most of the books I remember from my childhood were Dr. Seuss-type books. They were fun to read, but there wasn't a real story behind them.— Tony Dungy
If we lose sight of people, we lose sight of the very purpose of leadership.— Tony Dungy
Courage is the ability to do the right thing, all the time, no matter how painful or uncomfortable it might be.— Tony Dungy
Things will go wrong at times. You can't always control your attitude, approach, and response. You options are to complain or to look ahead and figure out how to make the situation better— Tony Dungy
People have to understand how important it is for kids to be nurtured by their mom and dad and get the great role modeling when they are young.— Tony Dungy
A good leader gets people to follow him because they want to, not because he makes them.— Tony Dungy
I've said all along that God is in control.— Tony Dungy
To win those big games you're going to have to complete some third-down passes, you're going to have to be able to get some explosive games in the passing game.— Tony Dungy
I wouldn't have taken him. Not because I don't believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn't want to deal with all of it. [ ... ] It's not going to be totally smooth things will happen.— Tony Dungy
We often can't see what God is doing in our lives, but God sees the whole picture and His plan for us clearly.— Tony Dungy
Life is challenging. I wish I could tell you that you'll always be on top of the mountain, but the reality is that there are days when nothing will go right, when not only will you not be on top, you may not even be able to figure out which way is up. Do yourself a favor, and don't make it any harder than it has to be. In those moments, be careful how you speak to yourself; be careful how you think of yourself; be careful how you conduct yourself; be careful how you develop yourself.— Tony Dungy
As a young kid, I had a great background. My grandfather was a minister; I have two uncles that were ministers, and so I had that spiritual background. I accepted Christ early as a kid.— Tony Dungy
I just don't think you pass on a great quarterback if you have the opportunity. If need be, you can trade it away.— Tony Dungy
I love coaching football, and winning a Super Bowl was a goal I've had for a long time. But it has never been my purpose in life. My purpose in life is simply to glorify God. We have to be careful that we don't let the pursuit of our life's goals, no matter how important they seem, cause us to lose sight of our purpose. I coach football. But the good I can do to glorify God along the way is my real purpose.— Tony Dungy
There are weaknesses that you have to understand and it takes a lot of discipline for the players to be able to play it effectively and have confidence in what they're doing.— Tony Dungy
I've always tried to coach people the way I would like to be coached; positively and encouragingly rather than with criticism and fear ... I've tried to be as fair as possible.— Tony Dungy
Pain prompts us to change behavior that is destructive to ourselves or to others. Pain can be a highly effective instructor.— Tony Dungy
Success is uncommon and not to be enjoyed by the common man. I'm looking for uncommon people because we want to be successful, not average.— Tony Dungy
The first thing you have to do is make sure you're still wanted back. I never take that for granted any more.— Tony Dungy
What will people remember us for? Are other people's lives better because we lived? Did we make a difference? Did we use to the fullest the gifts and abilities God gave us? Did we give our best effort, and did we do it for the right reasons?— Tony Dungy
When I was young, I didn't like to read. I would have much rather been outside doing something than been inside reading about it.— Tony Dungy
That's the difference between the NCAA and the NFL right now. They've got to step up and say, 'We're going to do the right thing. We're going to hire qualified people. We're going to hire the best man for the job regardless of what boosters or anyone else has to say.'— Tony Dungy
Take a moment to think about your answer to this question: Am I prepared to have great success and not get any credit for it?— Tony Dungy
You may not win the Super Bowl. Your kids may not go on to be doctors and lawyers and everything may not go perfectly. That doesn't mean it was a bad plan or the wrong thing. It's just like a football season. Everything's not going to go perfect.— Tony Dungy
To bring myself back to a perspective of all that I am in Christ - not according to the world. I need it to remind myself that the world doesn't define me. I am defined by my relationship with Jesus Christ.— Tony Dungy
I don't have the strength or wisdom to get through a single day without guidance and grace from God.— Tony Dungy
You should never be defined by what you do, by the things you have; you've got to define yourself by who you are and who you impact and how you impact people. And that's the thing I try to get across to my players.— Tony Dungy
Other people were looking at my decision in terms of "retirement." I guess that's the right term - retirement - from the NFL, anyway, the only professional career I have ever known. However, I don't think that God ever wants us to retire from relevance or significance. We faced a twofold question: what is the best setting for me to continue to do God's work and how did this fit in with what was best for my family?— Tony Dungy
I need to treat everybody fairly, but fair doesn't always mean equal.— Tony Dungy
The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. VISION will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to achieve excellence. Only VISION allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human action. VISION has no boundaries and knows no limits. Our VISION is what we become in life.— Tony Dungy
The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better.— Tony Dungy
God's loving plan to save sinners started with Jesus' death and resurrection. The influence God calls you to have for His Kingdom is very simple: just tell the world what He did for you.— Tony Dungy
I enjoy talking to young people, and talking to people about helping young people. That part is not a chore. It's pretty fun, and something I like to do because I think it's important.— Tony Dungy
Football is a vocation and an opportunity for ministry. But it's not a life.— Tony Dungy
