Posted by
Cyber Pastor on Friday, March 23, 2007 1:02:49 AM
Being a Colts fan since the days of Johnny U and when they still played in Baltimore, I am of course proud of the fact that they are the world champions. I am also proud of the kind of organization they have from owner - Jim Irsay to coach - Tony Dungy. Tony is a very good Christian man and a true role model. He has taken some heat for speaking out about his Christian Family Values.
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004178.cfm?eafref=1
Coach Dungy Defends Family Values
by Steve Jordahl, Family News in Focus
“We’re not trying to downgrade anyone else, hate anyone else,” he tells supporters of an Indiana marriage amendment.
Coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts spoke strongly Tuesday night in favor of traditional marriage. Family advocates applauded his statement, homosexual groups expressed disappointment and the National Football League has remained silent.
Dungy made his remarks after receiving a Friend of the Family award from the Indiana Family Institute (IFI).
“We’re not trying to downgrade anyone else, hate anyone else, but we’re trying to promote the family, family values the Lord’s way,” Dungy said.
IFI President Curt Smith was pleased.
“Coach Dungy said, ‘I’m with God and I believe IFI has taken the biblical, godly position on marriage and so I’m pleased to stand with it.’”
The Indiana Legislature is considering language defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Smith said Dungy’s appearance was not timed to coincide with legislative action.
Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family Action, said Dungy “is a good and brave man. To defend God’s truth so simply and strongly on what marriage ought to mean is to invite a blitz of hateful attacks from homosexual activists and others on the Left.”
Cyd Zeigler of Outsports.com, a pro-gay group, didn’t criticize Dungy for speaking out, but he insists that Dungy has created a “hostile” work environment in the Colts organization.
“I’m afraid that he would not allow a gay player on his team because he did not follow the Lord’s way.”
Smith dismissed that thinking.
“It’s crazy,” he said, “to think that when someone takes a biblical position on a public-policy question, that it creates any kind of a hostile workforce at all.”
Melissa Fryrear, director of gender issues at Focus on the Family, said Dungy’s relationship with Christ should have a positive effect on his workplace.
“Coach Dungy could be the epitome of walking this out in a Christian way in that he continues to defend his biblical worldview and he does that respectfully and compassionately,” she told Family News in Focus.
The NFL declined to comment.