• Loading stock data...
Thursday, December 12, 2024
The 2024 Best Employers in Sports Award winners have been announced! See the full list of winners

Is Something Amiss With Tony Dungy’s Latest Apology?

  • Dungy apologized for promoting an debunked anti-trans trope on Twitter.
  • Dungy has made multiple anti-gay statements in the past.
Tony Dungy
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

NBC Sports NFL analyst Tony Dungy reposted an apology for promoting a debunked anti-trans trope on Saturday. 

The words were the same, but Secret Base engagement manager Kofie Yeboah pointed out something: Dungy screen capped what appeared to be an incoming text message.  

“I saw a tweet yesterday and I responded to it in the wrong way,” the text message read. “As a Christian I should speak in love and in ways that are caring and helpful. I failed to do that and I am deeply sorry.”

That original statement was provided via an NBC Sports spokesperson who said the apology originated from a Dungy representative. FOS asked that representative if that text/statement was written by him, but received no response. 

It was the same word-for-word apology Front Office Sports and other outlets received late last week after Dungy responded to a video posted by the right-leaning site Daily Wire that showed a Minnesota politician advocating for menstrual products in all school restrooms. 

In the since-deleted tweet from Wednesday, Dungy wrote “some school districts are putting litter boxes in school bathrooms.” According to NBC News, this litter box misinformation began with Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen last fall. At least 20 other politicians have repeated the baseless claim citing different school districts. 

“School officials nationwide have said time and again that the claims have no merit. PolitiFact and other fact-checkers have repeatedly looked into these claims in various states accused of installing school litter boxes,” PolitiFact wrote. “Every time, there has been no evidence to support the allegations, which experts say are transphobic.”

On Friday, Dungy spoke at the March for Life on Friday, an anti-abortion rally in Washington, where he equated abortion to the near-death of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. 

“An unbelievable thing happened that night,” Dungy told the crowd. “A professional football game with millions of dollars of ticket money and advertising money on the line, that game was canceled. Why? Because a life was at stake, and people wanted to see that life saved. Even people who are not necessarily religious got together and called on God. That should be encouraging to us because that’s exactly why we’re here today. Because every day in this country, innocent lives are at stake. The only difference is they don’t belong to a famous athlete and they’re not seen on national TV. But those lives are still important to God and in God’s eyes.”

News organizations tend to limit their employees to be outspoken on political issues, but what policies apply at NBC for Dungy and those in similar roles is unclear. 

But Dungy’s hot takes over the last week didn’t come as a surprise to many. 

The Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning coach is close to preacher Andrew Wommack, an outspoken anti-gay evangelist who said, “homosexuality is three times worse than smoking” and gays should wear a warning label on their foreheads that reads “This could be hazardous to your health.”

OutSports details many of Dungys’ anti-gay remarks over the years, including saying he’d not select Michael Sam, who won co-SEC defensive player of the year before the 2014 NFL Draft. 

“Not because I don’t believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn’t want to deal with all of it,” Dungy said. 

Dungy also raised money for a group that opposed marriage equality and tweeted that he disagreed with the “lifestyle” of Jason Collins, the first out NBA player. 

NBC Sports hasn’t commented about Dungy’s tweet or his appearance at the March for Life.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bill Belichick to Take College Plunge at North Carolina

UNC made the official announcement late Wednesday.

NFL Scheduling Gambit Pays Off With Two Blockbuster Sunday Games

The Week 15 schedule has a game pairing seen only once since 1970.
Oct 20, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie pre game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Bills, Eagles, Dolphins Approve Adding New Minority Owners

Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady join the list of Bills owners.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks to the locker room after the game of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans held off the Jaguars 23-20.

NFL, Nike Extend Uniform, Apparel Partnership Through 2038

Financial terms of the extension were not disclosed.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.

Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest Saw $650,000 Awarded—and $5 Million Missed

The weekly contest on ESPN’s “College GameDay” paid out $650,000.
December 11, 2024

WBD Secures Comcast Deal, Readies for Future Without NBA Rights

The TNT Sports parent company continues to remake itself in dramatic fashion.
December 11, 2024

F1’s TV Ratings Similar to 2023, but Still Below the Record Highs..

The F1 season averaged 1.1 million viewers in the U.S.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
December 11, 2024

Georgia-Texas SEC Showdown Tops Conference Title Game TV Ratings

Georgia-Texas drew 16.6 million viewers on ABC.
Sep 13, 2024; Bolingbrook, Illinois, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Bryson DeChambeau of the Crushers GC and Brooks Koepka of the Smash GC shake hands after the first round of the LIV Golf Chicago tournament at Bolingbrook Golf Club.
December 10, 2024

DeChambeau, Koepka Hope Showdown Helps Unite LIV–PGA Tour

The golfers will compete against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Nov 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, UNITED STATES; Mike Tyson (black gloves) fights Jake Paul (silver gloves) at AT&T Stadium.
December 10, 2024

Netflix Spectacle Made Tyson, Paul Top Trending U.S. Athletes of 2024: Google

The Yankees and Dodgers were among the top trending sports team searches in 2024.
December 10, 2024

NBA Cup TV Ratings Down 10% Through Group Play

The NBA has faced stiff competition from other sports.