Tony Dungy, the television commentator and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, said “society is broken” and that it cannot be fixed by politicians in Washington, D.C., but only by Americans turning to God. The Super Bowl-winning former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the social media comments over the weekend following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, saying his posts had “nothing to do” with Trump or Biden.
Dungy’s initial comments came in response to a social media post by former NFL player Benjamin Watson. I have written On X (formerly Twitter), he posted, “My condolences to the families of those senselessly murdered yesterday. My condolences that you have so many questions that I doubt the media or investigations will ever give you real answers. My condolences that you are disgusted by the acts of violence yet not surprised. My condolences that you have become numb. My condolences for the state of American politics. My condolences for America.”
Like Watson, Dungy was a devout Christian and agreed with Watson.
“You’re right @BenjaminSWatson – our society is broken and it won’t be fixed no matter which party wins the election,” Dungey wrote to X. “It won’t be fixed by bills being passed, it will only be fixed by turning to God and following His principles.”
you are right @Benjamin Swatson Our society is broken and it won’t be fixed no matter which political party wins the election. It won’t be fixed no matter which laws we pass. Only by turning to God and following His principles will the problems be fixed. https://t.co/9r0oVzUen6
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) July 14, 2024
Dungey defended his position in the face of backlash.
When a believer said that religious people are often mean, Dungey I have written“What I’m saying is what Jesus answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ The second one is just as important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
What I’m talking about is:
“Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ And the second is just as important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Matthew 22:3739 NLT— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) July 14, 2024
When followers taunted him for implying there was only one God, Dungy responded, Refuted“Well, either you’re right or I’m right. We’ll find out.”
The Hall of Fame coach said his comments were not political.
“Are we following Jesus and His principles, or are we following man?” he asked. “Are those we follow walking in the spirit of Christ? If we worship men or women, we will be disappointed.”
It has nothing to do with Trump (or Biden). Are we following Jesus and His principles, or are we following man? Are those we follow walking in the spirit of Christ? If we worship a man or a woman, we will be disappointed.
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) July 14, 2024
There is hope for America, Dangy believed.
“For God has said, ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will restore their kingdom.'” 2 Chronicles 7:14 “NLT”
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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Mitchell Leff/Stringer
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
