Tony Dungy

He is married to Lauren Harris of Pittsburgh. The couple has seven children, two daughters, Tiara and Jade and five sons, one of whom committed suicide in 2005.

He is a philanthropist and has been actively involved in community service. He served as a public speaker for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action. Additionally, he has actively supported charitable programs such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, the Prison Crusade Ministry, foster parenting organizations, and Family First.

He serves as the national spokesman for the non-profit organization, Basket of Hope, which provides basket full of gender specific toys, games and craft items to children at the Riley Hospital for Children.

Tony Dungy was born on October 6, 1955 as Anthony Kevin Dungy in Jackson, Michigan, to Wilbur and Cleomae. Both his parents were educators by profession - his father was a science professor and his mother a high school teacher.

Raised in an atmosphere of academics, education was considered extremely important and sacred. As such, he and his three siblings paid much emphasis on educating themselves proficiently.

During his school days, he was a stellar student, excelling both in academics and sports. A top grade athlete, he was part of the school’s basketball, football and track team. At the age of 14, he was elected as the student body president of Jackson High School.

In 1973, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota on a full football scholarship. Starting from serving as the team’s quarterback, in his four year career with Gopher he excelled at the game with an impressive career record.

Surprisingly, despite an outstanding college career, no NFL team signed him for the professional game.

Not making it to the 1977 NFL draft, he was finally signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive back. He played as a defensive reserve and a special team player all through 1977 and in the 1978 Super Bowl championship. In the latter tournament, he headed the team in interceptions.

In 1979, Steelers traded him off to San Francisco 49ers. His association with the San Francisco 49ers did not last for more than one season after which he was traded once again, to New York Giants in 1980.

For the New York Giants, he made it to the preseason club but was cut short before the actual season commenced. He then announced his retirement from playing football.

Right after his retirement in 1980, his NFL experience gained him the position of an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota. His stint of being a coach at his alma mater gained him a job in the NFL in 1981, as assistant coach for Pittsburgh Steelers. With this, he created history in NFL by being the youngest assistant coach.

In 2007, he was presented with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award by the United States Sports Academy.

In 2008, he was inducted in the IWU's Society of World Changers by the Indiana Wesleyan University. Additionally, the university conferred upon him an honorary doctorate of humane letters.