Tony Dungy often lets his Christian faith influence the way he looks at football, but apparently some fans don’t appreciate him referencing religion in his sports coverage.
After receiving criticism for talking about Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles’ faith during NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl LII, Dungy is not backing down to the ignorant viewers and reporters who are attacking him on social media.
“NBC pays me to express my opinion. And it was my opinion that Nick Foles would play well because his Christian faith would allow him to to play with confidence. And that he’s a good QB. I think I was right on both counts,” Dungy wrote in a tweet posted on Monday.
NBC pays me to express my opinion. And it was my opinion that Nick Foles would play well because his Christian faith would allow him to to play with confidence. And that he’s a good QB. I think I was right on both counts. https://t.co/4HOfXt78UZ
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) February 6, 2018
However the criticism hasn’t stopped, despite his honest explanation, The Daily Wire reports.
After the Eagles won the Super Bowl on Sunday, Dungy congratulated the team in a tweet and said that Foles “felt the Lord had him in Philadelphia for a special moment.” A Houston-based sports writer responded, arguing that religion shouldn’t be a part of football analysis.
Congratulations to the Eagles. Nick Foles told me last week that he felt the Lord had him in Philadelphia for a special moment and he played like it tonight. pic.twitter.com/BgYvucnK6Q
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) February 5, 2018
Again, the NBC analyst responded calmly, showing that his critics were clearly overreacting a bit.
“Why would you find it hard to believe that the Holy Spirit could speak to Nick Foles just as much as a coach could speak to him? If he credited a coach for saying ‘Stay calm and be confident’ that’s good. But if he tells me Christ says that to him I shouldn’t report it???”
Why would you find it hard to believe that the Holy Spirit could speak to Nick Foles just as much as a coach could speak to him? If he credited a coach for saying “Stay calm and be confident” that’s good. But if he tells me Christ says that to him I shouldn’t report it??? https://t.co/I7P4IU26GH
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) February 6, 2018
The former Indianapolis Colts head coach has always been open about his faith and clearly doesn’t shy away when his transparency is called into question. Whether or not NBC viewers like that seems to be just fine with the network so far.
