Quiet Strength Read online

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Endorsements

  Special Copyright Notice

  Foreword

  Acknowledgments

  Introduction

  Chapter One: Tampa Rain

  Chapter Two: Growing Up a Dungy

  Chapter Three: A Black Quarterback

  Chapter Four: Putting God First

  Chapter Five: Leading to Lauren

  Chapter Six: Learning to Lead

  Chapter Seven: An Unlikely Opening

  Chapter Eight: Building the Faculty

  Chapter Nine: Do What We Do

  Chapter Ten: Filling the Corners

  Chapter Eleven: Defining Success

  Chapter Twelve: Hurricanes and Tornadoes

  Chapter Thirteen: Tampa 2 and Open Hearts

  Chapter Fourteen: Walking the Plank

  Chapter Fifteen: A Soft Landing

  Chapter Sixteen: A Birthday Blessing

  Chapter Seventeen: Death by Inches

  Chapter Eighteen: An Unforgettable Season

  Chapter Nineteen: Staying the Course

  Chapter Twenty: Race to the Super Bowl

  Epilogue

  * * *

  QUIET STRENGTH

  by TONY DUNGY

  with NATHAN WHITAKER

  * * *

  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

  Carol Stream, Illinois

  Endorsements

  “Tony Dungy’s life is a living testimony of a man’s faith in God. He has given us a new picture and definition of a ‘Coach.’ Good guys do come in first!”

  —Lovie Smith, Head Coach, Chicago Bears

  “Winning the Super Bowl is an extraordinary achievement. Being the first African American coach to do so is monumental. But the Lombardi trophy does not reflect even a fraction of the greatness of this man and his message. Tony Dungy is an inspiration—a true champion both on and off the field. Now, in Quiet Strength, you can learn the principles that have propelled him to the top of his game.”

  —Peter Lowe, President and CEO, Get Motivated Seminars, Inc.

  “In this fast-paced American culture with so many people driven by the lure of material success, Tony Dungy reminds us what truly matters in the game of life. At the pinnacle of NFL success, he has taken time to show us the value of making memories and not just money, focusing on family instead of fame, and building up a storehouse of eternal wealth that can never be depleted. Don’t just read this book; listen to it with the ears of your soul.”

  —Priscilla Shirer, Author and Speaker

  “In today’s world where sports figures and movie stars are idolized, Tony Dungy is a true hero because his life is a testimony to the fact that if you ‘do your best and let God do the rest,’ not only will success follow, but your life will have a positive impact on others. This is the reason I consider Tony a great friend and role model.”

  —Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., MD, Professor and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes

  “My good friend Tony Dungy has demonstrated in his personal life and in this powerful book that it is possible to be a committed Christian on and off the field and still come out a winner. This insightful work will challenge, encourage, and inspire all who read it to uncompromisingly integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives, so that we too, will be victorious in spite of the challenges and obstacles that life brings our way.”

  —Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship; President, The Urban Alternative

  “‘No excuses, no explanations.’ I first heard Coach Dungy say these words in 1996, when he explained how we were going to turn the Bucs franchise around. But Coach challenged us to be more than just a winning football team. He wanted us to be winners in life—and he led by example. There are not enough pages in this book to share all the stories of the lives Coach Dungy has touched. You don’t have to win a ring to be a champion . . . but I am so glad he has won a Super Bowl ring so he can continue to use the platform God has given him.”

  —Derrick Brooks, Outside Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  “Amid the deafening roar surrounding the machinery of earthly glory, the spiritual man leaves quiet footsteps of inspired faith. Tony Dungy’s footprints can be traced back to God and family. This foundation has provided him with the love, strength, compassion, and tolerance to fill his earthly run with man’s greatest gift and purpose . . . to be of service to God and his fellow man.”

  —Jim Irsay, Owner, Indianapolis Colts

  “In the twenty-one years I’ve known Tony Dungy, I have consistently found him to be a man of integrity, sincerity, and openness. As a man of faith, no matter what trials or tribulations he’s faced, he has embodied the Scripture found in Proverbs 16:32—‘Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.’ Dungy has followed the biblical prescription for success. In football and in the game of life, Tony Dungy is a winner.”

  —James Brown, Host, The NFL Today, CBS Sports

  “Tony Dungy is a world champion in every way. His quiet strength both on and off the field has been an inspiration to millions. His sense of priority is uncommon and uncompromised. His purposeful desire to turn the spotlight off of himself and onto Christ is admirable. Even more impressive, however, is the character and dignity he exemplifies when there are no cameras . . . when there is no spotlight. This is a man of tremendous faith, and he lives it every day of his life. He has inspired me, and I’m so thankful for his friendship.”

  —Michael W. Smith, Singer/Songwriter

  “To say that I am a football fan is an understatement. I love it. But I love even more my friend and coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy. He has had a profound impact on Indianapolis that goes far beyond football. Tony Dungy is a man who uses football and its lessons to share with all of us his journey with the Lord. He walks with quiet strength each and every day.”

  —Sandi Patty, Singer/Songwriter

  “For over a decade, Tony Dungy has quietly taught me significant lessons in leadership and in life. Now he’s sharing them with you in this thought-provoking book. In Quiet Strength, Tony leads us on a journey that reveals profound principles for living and our ultimate purpose in life.”

  —Mark W. Merrill, President, Family First and All Pro Dad

  “Tony Dungy has become an icon of strength, character, perseverance, and faith. Quiet Strength is a road map that can help each of us draw on the God-given reserve of ‘character, fortitude, and peace’ that will allow us to stand tall during the low points of life and to be humble during the times of celebrated triumphs. I applaud Tony for his inspiring testimony that he has penned in this work.”

  —S. Truett Cathy, Founder and CEO, Chick-Fil-A

  Visit Tyndale’s exciting Web site at www.tyndale.com

  TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

  Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life

  Copyright © 2007 by Tony Dungy. All rights reserved.

  Cover photos courtesy of the Indianapolis Colts. Reprinted with permission.

  Published in association with the literary agency of Legacy LLC, Winter Park, Florida 32789.

  Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

  Scripture quotat
ions marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Dungy, Tony.

  Quiet strength : the principles, practices & priorities of a winning life / Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker.

  p. cm.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-1801-1 (hc)

  ISBN-10: 1-4143-1801-4 (hc)

  ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-1802-8 (sc)

  ISBN-10: 1-4143-1802-2 (sc)

  1. Dungy, Tony. 2. Spiritual biography. 3. African American football coaches—Religion. 4. African American football coaches—Biography. 5. Christian life. I. Whitaker, Nathan. II. Title.

  Special Copyright Notice

  The text of this book is an eBook file intended for one reader only. It may be used by that reader on computers and devices that he or she owns and uses. It may not be transmitted in whole or part to others except as stated above.

  Up to 500 words of this work may be quoted without written permission of publisher, provided it is not part of a compilation of works nor more than 5 percent of the book or work in which it is being quoted. The full title, author's name, and copyright line shall be included. No more than 500 words of this work may be posted on a web site or sent electronically to other users. In all uses of quoted material from this book, the full copyright line shall appear in a readable type size where the text appears. The author's name shall not be sued in the title of a web site or in the advertising of the site. The author's name may not be used on the cover of any other book in which a portion of this material is quoted without written permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

  Quotes in excess of 500 words, use of the text as part of a compilation, use of text that is greater than 5 percent of the book in which it will be quoted, or other permission requests shall be directed in writing to Tyndale House Publishers, Permissions Dept. 351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188.

  Foreword

  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

  Perplexed, but not in despair;

  Persecuted, but not destroyed.

  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body.

  —2 Corinthians 4:8-11

  WE ARE BLESSED and privileged to write the foreword to a book that truly represents the power of God and the rewards of obedience to God’s Word.

  On February 4, 2007, millions of people witnessed Coach Tony Dungy confirm his faith after winning the greatest award in football, the Super Bowl Championship. Coach Dungy made history as the first African American coach to win the Super Bowl. Although that is significant, it is only a small part of his journey toward fulfilling his life’s purpose.

  It has been said that we get good at whatever we practice. Coach Dungy practices proactive faith. This faith is not a gimmick or magic or the will of a strong mind. It is not a short-order request to receive what we want when we want it. Proactive faith is receiving everything that has been promised to us by God’s Word for His purpose and in His timing.

  Because of his proactive faith, Tony Dungy has been able to climb many mountains. Great achievements require great effort, and Coach Dungy’s greatest accomplishment is that through it all, he has stayed obedient to God’s will.

  Coach Dungy’s life displays his steadfast belief in God and his submission to God’s Word. His story is a guide for basic living and a confession of his belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This account is proof that Coach Dungy’s beliefs have sustained him consistently throughout his life.

  To follow Coach Dungy’s life from his beginnings to the present is most inspiring. For him to have been rejected, ignored, praised, and denied—yet still maintain dignity, strength, and hope—is a testament to his unwavering faith. At times his choices have not been popular, but he has stood his ground. He has remained commited to the will of God.

  The payoff of such faith is far better than anything the material world can offer. In this world, one can never be satisfied. The reward of remaining patient and obedient to the will of God is that life becomes fulfilling and satisfying . . . complete.

  Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

  We see a beautiful testimony of such faith in this man of courage.

  Pauletta and Denzel Washington

  Acknowledgments

  By Nathan Whitaker

  TONY WAS RELUCTANT to single out people specifically, noting how many people made this book possible, both by direct participation as well as in the entwining of their very lives into Tony and Lauren’s, and thereby into the fabric of these pages. Although he’s right—we’re bound to forget people—I had far too much help with this book to not attempt to recognize those who assisted.

  We are grateful for the time and memories of Jerry Angelo, Jim Caldwell, Vernon Cheek, Clyde Christensen, Jackie Cook, Mark Dominik, Herm Edwards, Leslie Frazier, Loren Harris, John Idzik, Craig Kelley, Tom Lamphere, Rich McKay, Mark Merrill, Veronica Pinto, Tim Ruskell, Donnie Shell, Alan Williams, and Ruston Webster.

  Recognition is also due the pastors who have ministered to Tony and Lauren so faithfully through their married life: Richard Farmer, Charles Briscoe, Steve Gould, Ken Whitten, Abe Brown, Jeff Singletary, John Ramsey, and Clarence Moore.

  D.J. Snell of Legacy, LLC, in his dual roles as our literary agent as well as a brother in Christ, has been invaluable with his guidance and vision for this book, as has Jim Dodson, with his assistance and encouragement on manuscript concepts.

  Our faith in Tyndale House Publishers has been borne out by the work of Jan Long Harris, Todd Starowitz, Sarah Atkinson, Doug Knox, Mark Taylor, Dan Elliott, Lisa Jackson, Jeremy Taylor, Bonne Steffen, Erin Smith, Sarah Rubio, Dean Renninger, and the rest of the outstanding staff.

  In addition, I have been carried by the assistance—sometimes through encouraging word or prayer, other times through more direct roles with the book—of Don Buerkle, Dom and Karen Capers, Brian and Cindy Clark, Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn, David French, Chan Gailey, Matthew Hartsfield, John Kingston, Buddy Moore, Betsy and Mike Mularkey, Phil Pharr, Rob Rose, Heath Scheisser, Charlie Skalaski, Todd and Christine Stockberger, George Woods, and John Wunderli.

  I am incredibly thankful for the assistance of Lauren Dungy, who balanced a desire to shield their already public life with the knowledge that sharing their experiences might affect lives. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless her tremendous impact through her partnership with Tony.

  I couldn’t have done this without the support of my wife, Amy, who kept faith in me long after mine had started to falter; my precious daughters, Hannah, for sharing me and for finding the comma we needed on page 72, and Ellie Kate, for stopping the banging on my office door long enough for me to finish; and my parents, Scott and Lynda Whitaker, for their belief in my vision and substantial editing assistance.

  Tony, you were “Jesus with skin on” throughout this process, in good times and tough. I will forever be grateful for your faith in me and this project and for allowing your story to be told so that others might be encouraged and edified by it. You are a remarkable man with a remarkable story.

  Most of all, Tony and I are grateful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for bringing us this far in the journey of our lives, a journey of hope, joy, and the promise of eternal life.

  Introduction

  If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.

  —Booker T. Washington

  “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” I have been approached many times over the last few years about writing a book, and my answer has always been the same.

  In 2004 I had lunch with my good friend Nathan Whitaker in Indianapolis, and we talked about doing a book that would be more about life than about
football. Could I see how such a book could help others? Yes. But still my answer was no.

  And then my team, the Indianapolis Colts, won Super Bowl XLI in February 2007.

  Still no.

  But then cards and letters and e-mails started to roll in.

  “Thank you for your witness before the game. . . .”

  “My son and I watched your comments after the game together. I could take him to church twenty times, and it wouldn’t have opened up a chance for us to talk the way watching the Super Bowl did. . . .”

  “My husband moved out three weeks ago but heard one of your comments about putting your family first. He has since called and wants to come talk. . . .”

  I like the saying, “Life is hard, but God is good.” It’s because of God’s goodness that we can have hope, both for here and the hereafter. And it’s the desire to share that hope that finally changed my no to yes.