Columnist Carol Daniels
I don’t know much about pass interference, roughing the passer or field goals, but I do know a thing or two about Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith. These black men became the first head coaches to make it to the Super Bowl, ensuring that there would be another first – a black head coach who wins the Super Bowl.
It was Dungy who won the rain-soaked contest in Miami. I watched the entire game, commercials included, with friends and family. And it wasn’t until the next day that I was able to spend any time thinking about what Dungy and Smith have gone through and are still going through, despite reaching the pinnacle of their respective careers.
Tony and Lovie stand as a testimony to what all those marches, sit-ins and civil rights lawsuits were for. And, yet, take out the million dollar-plus salaries and their lives-in-black could easily mirror any life-in-black.
Much has been made over the fact that Lovie Smith is the lowest-paid coach in the NFL (a fact that will likely change quickly). How many of you can testify when it comes to not getting paid what you are worth, while others around you appear to float their way to raises and bonuses?
And, still, Smith and Dungy both would likely tell you to not focus on what others may or may not be getting compared to you and keep doing your best at work and at home.
Tony Dungy was fired from Tampa Bay and was previously passed over for other head coaching jobs. And he and his wife are still healing from the tragic loss of his son James to suicide. Lord knows, far too many in our community can attest to death, disease or violence.
And, still, Smith and Dungy would likely tell you not to let that change your character. They would tell you that God has a plan and you have to have faith that no matter what, God is still working in your life.
Michael Smith, a senior writer for ESPN.com, explained it best when he said, “Their priorities are, in order: faith, their families and football. The outcome of the Super Bowl or any game does not define them.” That is strength that only comes from maturity and character.
And these are men in a world of sports (and a world in general) that hasn’t seen enough integrity and has been led to believe that ”all men are dogs.” I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad that the world is getting to see a couple of brothas who don’t use profanity, who want to be better husbands, fathers and friends, and who reach out to their staff and players to encourage them to do the same – men who speak openly about their faith and the bible! If you spend too much time watching television, you’d think such black men don’t exist. But now you know for sure that they do. We never had to look very far to find a black man who is a man of character. I could always look to my father, my brothers and my husband. And there are dozens of good men in my church (and yours, too), along with even more I know professionally. He’s also the man who was driving your bus, delivering your mail, patrolling your streets or cooking your meal at that restaurant you love.
I know some have wanted to shy away from any discussion about Smith and Dungy and skin color because these are, in fact, talented men and a discussion of their ethnicity may diminish that for some. Even that thought diminishes who they are.
And, besides, we don’t do it when we’re discussing crime or public schools or the evils of rap music, so we shouldn’t shy away from it now when the image of black men is so incredibly different from the one we’re normally given. If we are to hold each other accountable when we stumble and fall, it stands to reason that we are to lift each other up when, regardless of the circumstances, we succeed with such grace and dignity.