Tony Dungy Explains How the Super Bowl is a ‘Gospel Outreach’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former NFL player and coach Tony Dungy shared with CBN News why the Super Bowl is a great avenue to share the Gospel.
On the Saturday before Super Bowl LVIII, a breakfast, which Dungy calls a “Gospel outreach,” is attended by many NFL players and coaches.
“You take this football world that’s all centered in the Super Bowl city, and everybody is excited about the game and what it means,” Dungy began. “Just for about three hours the morning before, all of these NFL players and staff people are there, and they’re pointing out that, yes, the Super Bowl is great, yes, it’s our goal to get there, but it’s not the most important thing in life. Let us tell you what our most important thing is.”
“It’s a great Gospel presentation,” he added.
Over the last few years, more athletes, including NFL players, have become more open about and willing to share their faith.
“I think football has become the number one sport in our society today,” Dungy said. “There’s so much emphasis on it but the other side of the coin in our world is people are up in the air. They don’t know what’s going on. They have questions, but they come to football for that kind of sanctuary.”
Dungy continued, “I think these young players have said, ‘I can use this platform, and I can let people know what’s important to me, and I can let people know about my faith in Jesus Christ.’ It’s something that for a long time we kind of tried to keep under the radar, but we’ve had some very outspoken people.”
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud always starts his post-game interviews by giving glory to God.
“It’s what I lean on through thick and thin,” he said after losing a playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens. “I know I’m upset right now, but I’m really just blessed looking back on this year, this opportunity we had today to play in front of millions of people. I’m just really grateful to God on all the opportunities He’s blessed me with.”
Brock Purdy, quarterback for the San Fransisco 49ers and Super Bowl favorite, is also unashamed of his faith and puts his identity in God rather than football.
“First of all, glory to God. He’s given us this opportunity,” he said after his team earned their place at the Super Bowl. “For us, it’s a team sport. We knew we had a half left. Defense did their job, the boys on offense took care of business. Coaches called a great game. And we had the faithful behind us the whole way. So, we love you guys.”
“These young guys are coming in, and they’re not ashamed to spread the Gospel,” Dungy said of the two quarterbacks.
Movieguide® previously reported on Dungy:
Legendary NFL coach and player Tony Dungy kept his faith first throughout his career, earning the respect of players and peers.
Dungy has consistently emphasized the central role of his Christian faith in his life, often mentioning that his faith in God guides his decisions and actions.
On the “Jesus Calling” podcast, Dungy shared how he coached in a way that created an “environment where we all worked together, and we all tried to help each other be better.”
“I made a decision I was going to be different. And not everybody was ready for that,” he added.
For Dungy, “different” meant not swearing or yelling at his players and treating them with respect.
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