TONY DUNGY STORIES

This story happened when Tony was the Defensive Coordinator for the Pittsburg Steelers, and it was a test to his integrity.

It was just a day, or so, before the Steelers' first playoff game at the end of the regular season. The TV technical crew was in the stadium getting their equipment set up when the Steelers' opponents were on the field going through a few plays.

A cameraman happened to notice the Steelers' opponents running a trick play. Later, when the Steelers took the field, the cameraman told Tony about the play. He, of course, had time to defend against the play. However, Tony chose not to mention it to his defensive team. He later said he didn't want his team to have an unethical edge.

As it turned out, the opponents did run the play and scored a touchdown. "However," Tony said with a chuckle, "it was called back because of a penalty."

Doing sports God's way is making godly choices!

[Please post any story you might have about Tony Dungy on this site.]

IS BARRY BOND LEGIT?

With Barry Bonds closing in on the all time home run record held by Hank Aaron, I thought it might be interesting to look at some of the greatest sports records of all time in a short series.

I'll write more about Bond's achievement when he actually breaks the record. However, for now, lets take a quick look at what Hammering Hank Aaron accomplished to better appreciate what Bonds is now doing. In a world hostile to Aaron for closing in on the immortal Babe Ruth's all-time record, he endured the boos and death threats to smash Ruth's record of 714 home runs, and end up with 755.

Aaron is the only player in major league baseball history to put together more than 700 homers, 3,000 hits (3,771) and 2,000 RBIs (2,297) in a career.

Each of those achievements is incredible in itself. But, to do them all, what a remarkable ball player Aaron was. And, arguably, the home run is the most difficult of all sports accomplishments, requiring precise timing, blazing bat speed, power, and keen eyesight, all while an opponent is trying to make the tiny ball jump around as its hurtling toward the hitter at 90 plus miles per hour from a distance of only sixty feet away.

So, whether you like Barry Bonds as a man, applaud what he's doing as an athlete. To break such an incredible record takes an incredible athlete. Now, I'm not in favor of anyone who uses steroids. And, I'm not a fan of people who treat others with contempt. Yet, I'm trying to set aside my personal feelings about Barry Bonds, and look at what he is doing as an athlete with unusual physical skills and mental discipline.

In a hostile world, amidst the boos and death threats, he is about to break the record of an athlete who was also a "hated" man at the time of his pursuit. Aaron knows well the pressure Bonds is now facing. Interestingly, Bonds is also closing in on the 3000 hits for a career, and the 2000 RBIs in a career.

All the marks of a great player.

To break a record held by Aaron, one of the greatest players of all time, it takes and extraordinary ball player.

So, whether you like him, or not, give Bonds his due.

APPOINTMENT WITH GOD

[This is the last part of an article in Tip of the Day, Thursday, May 10, 2007]


So, after an exhausting night of healing people, Jesus, most likely, crashed on a mat on the ground into a deep sleep. Yet, early the next morning, before daybreak, He got to His feet, and quietly tip[-toed outdoors, finding an isolated place in which He could pray. Just be alone in talking with His Father.

Coach, if you don't make a time with God happen, like Jesus did, it won't happen. Why not "schedule" in an appointment with God each morning, before you do anything else?

What do you talk with Him about?

Well, a good place to start is with whatever is on your mind. And, yes, it's alright to talk with God about coaching, or a problem athlete, or the administration, or...

In fact, it's a great place to start.


[Please feel free to share your thoughts.]

INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION

[The following is the last part of an article in Tip of the day - Wednesday, May 9, 2007]

Coach, you'll get the most out of your athletes when you give them individual attention when you can. By knowing their names, asking them personal questions, sharing your thoughts individually, are all ways of doing it.

Jesus moved among a crowd of individuals, not just people. Likewise, you have a team of individiuals, not just athletes.

They'll work together better as a team when they sense you are treating them as individuals, each with a crucial role to play on the team.


Please feel free to add your comment.

EXPECT PROBLEMS

[Below is the last part of an article in Tip of the Day ... Monday, May 7, 2007]

So, if your present problem seems a bit more intense, or a bit more devious, or a bit more perplexing, it might be that God's enemy has his sights on you. What do you do? Ask God to empower you to resist the attack, and to show you what He wants you to do.

You'll come out both victorious, and a whole lot stronger.

Jesus did, and He shows us the way.

(Please feel free to give your thoughts.)

- Wes -

CAST A FAR REACHING VISION

Why not give your athletes a vision to accomplish something that will last far beyond the season? Something that won't fade in memory when another season begins.

Perhaps "eternity" won't fit for your team. However, doing something in your community can impact people for a long time. Maybe it's a service project, or a "visiting" project, or...well, your team might come up with some pretty good ideas when you present to them the idea.

The important thing is to let your team know they're on the team to do even more than win games. They're on the team to have an impact on the community as they work hard to win games.

Coach, give them a vision that will make it happen.

A far reaching vision!

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RISK LOOKING FOOLISH

These are the last few lines of an article appearing in the Monday, April 30th issue of Tip of the Day. Please feel free to comment on it.

Coach, here's something you might want to do to experience God's activty in your coaching like the government official experienced.

In your office, get your Bible out and look for a command from God. You might try Proverbs, or Matthew 5-7, or John 15, or possibly Philippians. When someone asks what you're doing, you can say something like, "Looking for a challenge from God that will knock my socks off."

Or, you know, put it in your own words.

Why not take a risk at looking foolish?

That's where God will be found.

He's in the risk.

- Wes -