And all of the Colt’s success now seems meaningless to Tony Dungy:
James Dungy, the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, was found dead in a Tampa-area apartment, police said Thursday.
No foul play is suspected, but a cause of death won’t be announced pending an autopsy, said Vida Morgan, a secretary in the Hillsborough County sheriff’s office.
The worst nightmare for a parent.
*** Update ***
A nice piece about Tony Dungy, who really is a class act.
Paul Wartenberg
I’m a Bucs fan. This is a tragic day for Dungy, who has to be the classiest guy in the NFL over the past ten years, and for his family.
This was a guy who came in and turned around perhaps the most hapless sports franchise ever (Bucs) and turned it into a defensive dynamo. He also staffed the team with players who showed not only on-field talent but off-field class (guys like Dunn, Brooks, Lynch… Dungy made community support a major theme for the team to follow through on).
All you hear about Dungy’s style is that he stays calm, composed, never yells, barely lectures. He doesn’t dominate by attitude and brashness like most coaches, but by confidence and willingness.
I know Dungy and his family are going to be facing the roughest weekend of their lives, and at the worst possible time of year (Christmas/New Years).
We need to petition the NFL to make gestures, like letting the Colts wear black armbands for the upcoming game, and a moment of silence at the game too. I’m petitioning the Bucs to do something as well.
Far North
WTF, that’s is awful. Dungy is a classy guy and, seemingly, a good man. Of course, I wouldn’t wish that on any parent.
DougJ
That’s terrible. I’ve always liked Dungy — he seems like a decent, classy man. It’s so sad to hear about something like this happening to him.
ppGaz
The G family sends its condolences and prayers.
Lines
There could be no possible worst time, as if there is ever a time to lose a child. With Christmas ahead and a great season behind him, this is just beyond horrible.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Sad news. I always liked Dungy. The loss of a child must be unbearable.
physics geek
Holy crap. What an awful, horrible thing to have happen. I can’t even imagine losing one of my children. It makes my chest tighten up just thinking about it.
My prayers go out to him and his family.
Ozymandius
The Dungy family is in my prayers.
Houstonboy
Unbearable.
Now that I have a child, I cannot imagine life without him. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children.
My heart and my prayers are with Tony and his family.
Vlad
Early reports indicated that it was a probable suicide, though those have since been withdrawn.
A damn shame, regardless.
SeesThroughIt
Wow, that is truly awful. All the best to the Dungy family.
Steve from Tampa
The worse thing that can possibly happen is seeing your child die at such a young age. While I have seen it happen to many a parent in the past, I don’t think I could personally handle it myself too good.
My prayers and special thoughts are in full gear for the Dungy family. We must all learn to recognize the symptoms of depression in each other before depression gets a death grip on someone we love or know.
City Kitty
Are we all missing something here?? Yes it is a tradgedy but lets not grandstand this like the family is doing by having TWO sermons/funeral services on the same night! This was a suicide! Keep it private and simple! This young man was troubled…….into Malcom X, Black Power, and his ‘hero’ was the DC sniper!!!! Yet he had plenty of gall to chase white women! Now I ask you……..what is someone important had a son that was a member or was an Arynation Nations wanna-be?? There would be hells-a-poppin over that! Let us wake up! No parents around and into that kinda crap? No wonder………
Former NFL Player (mr 'C')
Sympathies to the Dungy Family. Now lets reflect upon how to keep this from happening to one we know. First signs of gang affiliation are a red flag. First signs of hero’s that are murderers, theives, extreme radicals, ect., are another definate red flag.
Keep watch on our children and spend time with them. Mr C.
BIRDZILLA
Could it be suicide or drug OD? or perhapes something else?
Jason
This kid turned out crazier than a sprayed roach! I feel for his family but the path he chose ultimately led him to his death. Lets move on and don’t dwell on the bad things in life. JH