Tony Dungy Tells It Like It Is

Former Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy, in Dallas for an NFL kickoff luncheon, said he had no apologies for his high-profile stance in helping troubled players and his recent publicized verbal run-in with New York Jets coach Rex Ryan.

"That's part of what I did when I was coaching -- to help players be better by also helping them off the field, especially those coming from different situations from what I did when I had my dad helping me."

Dungy, speaking at a Dallas Cowboys' kickoff luncheon Aug. 26 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, predicted that the hometown Dallas Cowboys would return in February as NFC Champions -- thus becoming the first pro football team to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

But in a pre-luncheon interview with Baptist Press, Dungy didn't shy away from the controversy with Ryan.

On a nationally broadcast radio show in mid-August, Dungy was asked by the host what he thought of Ryan's use of several curse words in a constant pattern on a nationally televised reality show about the New York Jets.

Dungy told the host he didn't approve of the bad language and would not have hired Ryan or anybody on his staff when he coached who used those words.

A media firestorm ensued, with Dungy and Ryan finally talking to clear the air. Dungy said before the Dallas luncheon he was only responding honestly when asked a question.

"That's what I am, I'm a straight-shooter," Dungy said. "If somebody asks me questions, I'm going to answer them."