Fri. December 7, 2007
Indianapolis, IN -
Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy has caused some controversy in the gay community. Earlier this year, he was criticized for acting as the key note speaker for a foundation which seeks to prohibit gay marriage. This week, the coach again showed his disdain for homosexuality during an interview on HBO's Costas Now.
Tony Dungy broke down barriers in football by becoming the first Black coach to lead his team to Super Bowl victory, when the Colts bested the Chicago Bears earlier this year.
Following his success, Dungy, a devout Christian, accepted an offer to act as guest speaker at the Focus on the Family yearly banquet.
FOTF is a right wing evangelical group, which devotes most of its efforts to protecting the sanctity of marriage, and has a rigged stance against homosexuals.
Many criticized his decision to attended stating that as a public figure, he was abusing his power by supporting an organization which was obviously discriminatory in practice.
Dungy defended his actions, telling the Indianapolis Star,"I appreciate the stance they're ([FOTF] taking, and I embrace that stance... You can take that and make your decision on which way you want to be. I'm on the Lord's side."
This week, Bob Costas asked Dungy how he would feel if he had a Muslim, Jew, or atheist on his team.
Dungy quickly replied he would have no problem accepting others people's beliefs.
Costas then asked how he would feel if one of his team members were gay.
After an obviously uncomfortable pause, Dungy answered, "I'm sure I would talk to him about my views on it, what the Bible says about it."
Dungy also said he would show the player respect and said that if he were a good ball player he would keep him on the team.
Written By Dylan Vox
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