INDIANAPOLIS
Tony Dungy defied one myth earlier this week: He does show emotion. He also stuck to his principles. With tears in his eyes and his voice cracking, Dungy said goodbye to the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL, then, in typical Dungy fashion, looked optimistically toward life’s next challenges.
For the Colts and their fans, that means chasing another Super Bowl title under Dungy’s successor, Jim Caldwell. For Dungy, it means spending more meaningful time with his family and on volunteer work.
“Don’t shed any tears for me,” Dungy said after announcing his retirement. “I’ve gotten to live a dream that most people don’t get to live. What phase two will be, we’ll find out. But phase one has been awfully special.”
It was a day for the 31-year NFL veteran to laugh, cry and share memories with many of his friends.
Dungy informed the assistant coaches in the morning, met with some players throughout the day and concluded by trading hugs and tears with team owner Jim Irsay and team president Bill Polian.
