TITLE: Recognizing Tony Dungy on his achievements and contributions to the State of Texas.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Tony Dungy on his achievements and contributions to the State of Texas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize best-selling author and decorated National Football League coach Tony Dungy, who led the Indianapolis Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI; and WHEREAS, Anthony Kevin Dungy was born on October 6, 1955, in Jackson, Michigan; he graduated from Parkside High School in 1973 and attended the University of Minnesota, where he played as the quarterback of the football team and was selected as the team's most valuable player in 1975 and 1976; the following year, Tony was awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor for demonstrating extraordinary athleticism and academic excellence; and WHEREAS, Tony began his career as a professional football player when he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent; after playing in the National Football League for three seasons and winning a championship ring in 1978 with the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII, Tony began his coaching career in assistant coaching positions with the Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings; and WHEREAS, The youngest assistant coach and coordinator in league history, Tony soon gained a reputation for transforming losing teams into competitive teams; his vision and understanding of defensive strategy paved the way to his success as a head coach; it led to him being the first NFL head coach to defeat all 32 NFL teams and to becoming the most successful head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the franchise's history; and WHEREAS, Tony continued making football history when he led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl victory on February 4, 2007, the first African American head coach to lead a team to Super Bowl glory; Tony also became the first head coach whose teams made the playoffs for 10 consecutive years, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016; he retired from coaching in 2009 and now serves as a sports analyst; and WHEREAS, In addition to his remarkable achievements in the domain of sports, Tony is a New York Times best-selling author whose books include Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life;Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance;and The Mentor Leader;in 2007, President George W. Bush appointed Tony to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, and in 2009, President Barack Obama invited him to join the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighboring Partnerships; and WHEREAS, A devoted Christian with a generous spirit, Tony has selflessly given of his time and talents to benefit numerous worthy organizations and serves as national spokesman for All Pro Dad, the fatherhood program of Family First; he and his wife, Lauren, are loving parents to their children, whom they have taught to face the challenges of life with courage and strength; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby commend Coach Tony Dungy on his many outstanding achievements and positive contributions to the Lone Star State and to the sport of football and extend to him best wishes in all his future endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of high esteem from the Texas Senate. Paxton, Campbell, Hughes, Perry Alvarado Hancock Miles Bettencourt Hinojosa Nichols Birdwell Huffman Parker Blanco Johnson Schwertner Creighton King Sparks Eckhardt Kolkhorst Springer Flores LaMantia West Gutierrez Middleton Whitmire Hall Zaffirini Patrick, President of the Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 28, 2023.