[thenightwriterblog] The Night Writer: The class of the league

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by The Night Writer:
The class of the league
http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1170447038.shtml


   For what it's worth, I'm rooting for the Colts in the Super Bowl this
   Sunday. This has nothing to do with my growing up in Indianapolis, or
   starting my own football career there. In fact, if my Optimists Club
   youth football league experiences had any bearing on this I would hate
   the Colts because the team I played for (the Mini-Packers) missed out
   on an unbeaten, untied season when the star running back for the
   Mini-Colts scored the game-tieing touchdown after the whistle was
   blown by his father, the referee. Thankfully, I'm over that now.
   However, while I otherwise have fond memories of Indianapolis and
   still have many family members living there, my rooting interest is
   centered around the Indy coach, Tony Dungy. While it's all too easy to
   believe the media hype and images of this "genius" coach or another, I
   have heard and read enough about Coach Dungy's personal character --
   and over several seasons seen enough of the way he handles himself on
   the sidelines under extreme circumstances -- to come to the belief
   that he really is what he seems to be: a great coach and an even
   better man.
   I especially appreciate his faith and I attribute his peaceful
   attitude and helpful actions to his being able to grasp and keep a
   long-term perspective even in the midst of perhaps the most
   intensively short-term focused public environment. Even as he was
   being passed over for head coaching opportunities he was emminently
   qualified for, or getting jobbed by replay calls (while coaching Tampa
   Bay in the play-offs), he has maintained his composure and helped
   others to see that it's not all about him. Of course, that's what the
   NFL wants us to think about Tony Dungy because it's a good "story",
   but it's not hard to see what a deep and sincere respect and affection
   playes and other coaches have for the man. This was never more clear
   than last year when his son died just as the Colts were about to enter
   the play-offs. Even in that trauma, where it was obvious he was truly
   stricken and grieved, he continued to exude peace and class while
   focusing on the needs of others. What an example and inspiration he is
   to the rest of us, whether we have anything to do with football or
   not!
   Finally, in a league where people go to great lengths to secure even
   the tiniest advantage for themselves, and where one high-profile,
   brilliant mastermind publicly and pointedly snubs his former
   assistants, Coach Dungy has promoted and championed his assistant
   coaches for other jobs, even though it might have made things more
   difficult for himself. In fact, one such disciple or protégé is now
   the head coach of the Bears and will be one of the key factors trying
   to prevent Coach Dungy from winning a championship. Somehow I don't
   think he'd have it any other way.