Father Dungy Doesn’t Like Colorful Language
August 17th, 2010
In what ranks as one of the biggest non-stories of the year — no surprise it originates from the mind-numbingly vapid Dull Patrick Show — it appears Father Dungy would prefer a garbage coach over a guy who uses the F-word.
Appearing earlier this week on the Dull Patrick Show, a virtual waste of electricity that is neither informative nor entertaining — the two main pillars of an interesting show — Father Dungy apparently was morally offended that Jets coach Rex Ryan uses the F-word a few times during the NFL Films-produced, HBO series Hard Knocks, documents Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com.
Asked if he would hire a coach who talks the way Ryan does, Dungy answered, “I would not. I personally don’t want my players to be around that. I don’t want to be around that. . . . It’s hard for me to be around that, and if I were in charge, no, I wouldn’t hire someone like that. Now, I’ve been around ‘F’ bombs, so it’s not like it’s new. I just don’t think that has to be part of your every-minute, everyday vocabulary to get your point across.”
Dungy thinks NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would be wise to give Ryan a call and ask him to think about how he’s representing the NFL.
“I would hope that he does,” Dungy said of the possibility of Goodell getting involved. “I don’t know that he will or not but I hope that he does because I just don’t think the league needs that. I don’t think our young people need to hear that that’s what’s done to be successful. Because it doesn’t have to be that way.”
What next, Father Dungy believes Ryan should tuck the players in for nap time?
Give Joe a friggin’ break!
So Father Dungy thinks Goodell — who has a full plate of far more significant issues than if someone uses the F-word — needs to start policing the vocabulary of coaches?
Joe is sitting in front of his computer shaking his head, at a loss for words including the F-word.
So Father Dungy believes some of the biggest, strongest, fastest men in the world who are locked in near-mortal combat, who go down in the heat of battle with, say, a broken leg, should instead of uttering profanities, say, “Oh, gosh darn. I suppose I may need an aspirin?”
Or maybe Ryan, when a player messes up in a critical playoff game, should pat said player on the back and whisper sweet nothings into his ear, the kind Joe dreams in the wee hours of the night of doing to Rachel Watson some day?
This my friends is Exhibit-A of why Joe always said Father Dungy was more priest than coach. Now he expects Ryan so recite the Act of Contrition to his players?
Joe just knows of a coach with profoundly more success than Father Dungy, a man who was never shy about using the F-word, Bobby Knight. A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Knight was fond of colorful language. The all-time winningest college basketball coach who holds an English degree from Ohio State, has famously stated many times how the F-word is the greatest word in the English language.
[CAUTION: The link above and the video below contain very NSFW language. Father Dungy would not approve of you watching/listening.]
August 17th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I really don’t care what Dungy thinks about the Bucs, or anything else.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:32 am
While it seems ridiculous, you have to admire his strenght of Character. But as always, I hate seeing someone shoving their believes on everyone else, like they are the universal authority!
August 17th, 2010 at 10:33 am
I love Tony, but I doubt these football guys haven’t heard every word in the book.
Ever heard of the Marine Corp?
General Patton?
Not a Jets fan, but Ryan has done a heck of a job there. Tony is way, way off base on this one. And, wasn;t he trying to get the felon Vick back in the league? Criminal activity and lying is be far worse than some f-bombs.
Wtf?
August 17th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Luckily , with Rah , we have a coach that is both – Garbage, AND not afraid to use the F word….
August 17th, 2010 at 10:55 am
My take is if he doesn’t use
August 17th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Surprise, a Coach who doesnt curse doesn’t like another Coach dropping a lot of F bombs. Honestly if he had said anything different THAT would have actually been news. But hey I guess sticking to your convictions is out of vogue these days. For me however its actually an admirable trait. I personally cuss and have no plans to change anytime soon but I have the utmost respect for somebody that actually practices what he preaches.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Stupid phone. Sorry. Anyway, my take is if he doesn’t use it around children or publicly where children may be then who the f*%$ cares.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Dungy does have a point in what he said. Watching the show, he cursed so much it lost its value. This act that Ryan has going will only work while they are winning. Lets see how his foul mouth and cocky attitude work after a few losses.
That said, I totally agree with Joe on this one. Just the fact that Dungy said he wouldnt want to be around that implies our players didnt curse around him when he was coaching, which might have made the atmosphere stale and boring. That combined with things like the D didnt practice against the O kept the Bucs from reaching their true potential. Thats why all that was needed was some intensity for us to win the SB, which we did when Chucky lifted the F-bomb ban at One Buc.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Steve,
I’m glad you posted. You were around during the time I talk about in my post above, what do you think about his conservatism taking away some intensity/passion?
August 17th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Joe here,
Gary wrote: “which might have made the atmosphere stale and boring.”
LOL. Joe had a college coach who let everyone know that F-bombs and cursing were “for my mouth, not yours.” That actually made for some very creative and fun ragging on teammates.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Good for coach Dungy! With all the thug Players it was only a matter of time before a Thug coach showed up.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:08 am
But going as far as saying he wouldn’t hire a guy who cursed?
August 17th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Pretty much how I feel Steve which is one reason Dull Patrick is a joke. What next, Dull Patrick will ask Ryan if he likes cheeseburgers and pasta?
Joe’s high school coach summed up cursing thusly once at practice:
“Boys, we’ve got to start watching our language. I’m as guilty as anyone. Maybe I don’t set a good example?
“Now, it’s one thing in the heat of battle to go down with a broken leg and say, ‘Oh, sh!t.’ Understandable. But during a water break to say, ‘God !@#$%^, give me the !@#$%^& god @!#%#$ mother !@#$%^& water bottle you !@#$%^& god @#$%^& mother @#$%^&* *&^^%$…’ well, that’s a bit much boys.”
August 17th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Gary
Uhmmm did you watch us play back then? Id say we were pretty intense and passionate. Ill tell you this much Ive never feared a coach more than I feared Coach Dungy and it had nothing to do with whether he cussed or not.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Tony gave “his opinion” like everyone else on here is doing, including Joe. There are several points to look at here; 1) There are Coach’s that are considered “great” that abide by the same principle as Tony, one being Bobby Bowen (might have won more than night. Does have a better name) so to act as if Tony is on an Island with this is a little out of touch. 2) Obviously this country has failed at child rearing, and if a little league coach can get hung for using Ryan’s language in front of his football team, is not that same child watching the game on Sunday? If it’s ok for Ryan to present to the youth, why can’t.. don’t have a double standard, thats why our kids are suffering now, the old “do as I say not as you see me do” failed parenting and quite hypocritical. They will do most of what you do! For those that work in Prisons (that’s a battle field), or police our streets (thats a battle field), profanity can cost you your job. How would you like an Officer to pull you over and drop a few F bombs about your driving, then blame it on his passion. YOU would be the 1st in line to require his/her job. Or should this awful President of ours get on t.v. and start dropping F bombs, YOU would personally see him out of here. The point is as much as I don’t mind a Coach going off (I did and I used it as a motivational tool, not an every word tool), I’ve thought at times Tony should have dropped one (but respected him more for not), but I couldn’t stand for the camera to hit Gruden who seemed to be fit for more of the sailor job then football. And as a ex-player and coach too much cussing wears thin and you develope a deaf ear to it, so it is no longer effective hence the end of Grudens term here. Phil Jackson said in his book that an effective Coach uses verbal shock treatment at the proper time and well thought through, this is the best motivator. And no one in our life time will gather more Championships then him.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:19 am
@eric
You do realize he was asked whether he would hire a guy like that right? Its not like he went on the show to rail against the evil of F bombs. He was asked questions and he answered them truthfully. Put it this way, what would you think if he came out against f bombs but then said he’d have no problem with hiring a guy who dropped them every five seconds? That would sound pretty hypocritical, no?
August 17th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Bobby Knight used the F Bomb alot…But Bobby Knight is/was also a huge A Hole.
Coach Dungy built the first Tampa Bay Bucs team that I RESPECTED as MEN. Part of that was a MORAL center. Part of that moral center was the language.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I agree with SGW on this one. I do not think it makes or breaks the coach, but you have to hand it to Dungy…he sticks to his beliefs.
The Vick comparison is laughable. Dungy worked with Vick so he could make a come back, he never said what he did was ok. He did show vick compasion and forgiveness, again, sticking to what he believes in.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Steve,
Of course I saw the play on sundays, I was asking about the non-game parts of the week. But I take your point, it didnt stop you from being a very good D so it doesnt really matter I guess.
Horice,
I agree. Cussing should be used at the right time. Too much might be just as bad as too little IMO (especially if you have a team that needs motivation to succeed every sunday).
August 17th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Well, I use foul language all the time, but when I’m training my soldiers I never do unless someone is about to get killed. Its unprofessional and Dungy has a point. If we don’t do it while training to go to combat why would a coach have to, is not like is a near mortal combat not even close.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:35 am
I happen to agree with Tony on this.
Having that kind of language on a regular basis opens up all kinds of doors that are better left closed.
Foul language is a gateway behavior, it leads to other more aggressive behaviors that should not be there. For example, most people who use foul language have some sort of emotional control issues, such as easy to anger, road rage, etc. Or maybe they complain more when not happy, upsetting team chemistry.
And before you all criticise Dungy, think about how the players he developed here went on to become leaders in the cummunity and on the team. Think about how good clean behavior has served them well.
We saw how foul language served during Gruden’s reign. How many players threw tantrums?
But mostly, Dungy isn’t judging the persons who use foul language…he’s just stating he does not want to be around it.
It amazes me how many people claim they shouldn’t have to hear others preach or such, but the moment THOSE people say they don’t want to hear foul langues or about God, suddenly most people want to strip THEM of the same rights.
Sorry…sore spot.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Pete Dutcher said: “Foul language is a gateway behavior, it leads to other more aggressive behaviors that should not be there. For example, most people who use foul language have some sort of emotional control issues, such as easy to anger, road rage, etc. Or maybe they complain more when not happy, upsetting team chemistry.”
Sorry, Pete…While I agree that Dungy gave the Bucs a moral compass, your contention that foul language indicates some sort of emotional problems is, plainly, B.S.
August 17th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Skookum, I agree.
Pete, My grandmother cussed like a sailor, but you might be right she might have just been an agressive thug or an aggerssive road rager. Well, if she still drove a car.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Jimmity christmas guys!
August 17th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Did I just hear a few of you bring up Gruden, throwing Gruden under the bus only to reinforce Dungy not cussing?
Yeah, Damn You Jon Gruden!!!
And players who played under Dungy are by and large annointed community leaders? I bet Joey Galloway, Jeff Garcia, Michael Pittman, Joe Jerivicious, Keenan McCardel, Barrett Ruud, Tanard Jackson, Davin Joseph, Caddy, Jeff Faine, Donald Penn et al all wished they played for Tony Dungy, for being a part of the Buccaneers when Gruden was coaching makes them ‘bad’ guys, who are meaningless to the community.
Considering how sh1tty the Tampa community is, hell I wouldn’t even want to be a part of that blue collar, rusted out ship yard they call the bay area. You gals are terrible to your own players.
August 17th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@Javier…Yep, the old debate continues huh. I do not think cussing makes much of a difference one way or the other. I kinda liked when Gruden was droped bombs all over the place. I also liked how Dungy was so calm when everything and everyone else was going nuts. They both came from a different agnle, and both of them have rings.
August 17th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Eric, please don’t forget my Muthaf__kin Marine Corps has an “S” on the end of it. It’s kinda of like a Drill Instructor vs a Drill Sergeant. This is not a mistake your would ever make in the SUCK, and get away with it.
Semper Fi, and may God Bless all you F__kers!!!
August 17th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Just curious…did Bobby Knight have anger issues? Did Jon Gruden? Hoiw about Talib, who cussed out Raheem overseas?
I know people that never cuss, and never lose their tempers. On the other hand, I know entire families who cuss and have huge emotional problems.
Afterall, isn’t swearing a sign of a lack of self-control? Have you ever been around someone that does not approve of cussing, and it slips out of your outh and you apologize? Because you didn’t mean to slip?
It’s clear…persons that have a lack of self-control when it comes to behavior DO cuss. Do you cuss? Do you smoke too, knowing it’s bad for you? Show me any person, face to face that cusses and there’s always one of two reasons:
1) Ignorance of some level, or
2) A lack of self-control/emotional-control on some level
oar…I had a grandmother who cusses like crazy too; she smoked, drank and played bingo in abundance. Everyone of her kids ended up with clinical emotional issues later in life, and she certainly had anger issues that manafested in family gossip and judgement.
I know this isn’t the case all the time, but if you look deep enough, it is most of the time.
Some people say things because they were raised around it and they don’t know better…that’s where ignorance comes in.
I’m not saying this to pass jugement or anything…I’m just stating that this is what I’ve observed in those persons I’ve met.
And almost always…those persons that swear, that hear someone mention (or read) that they disagree with it, take offense and feel like their beliefs are under attack. The irony is most of the time, the action is what’s being criticized, but those that engage in the activity lose their tempers and lash out as though they are themselves being attacked.
Case in point, the article above. Dungy was speaking about actions, yet it seems Joe got angry and basically lashed out (no offense, Joe) by saying “Give Joe a friggin’ break!” and continuing to directly denounce “Father” Dungy for expressing his beliefs.
However, I suspect that Dungy would never directly denounce Joe for feeling differently. So, we have to ask, why would someone feel threatened by someone else being against swearing? It’s got nothing to do with Freedoms. It’s not like congress is suddenly going to outlaw swearing within the borders of the United States.
Just an example, nothing more…and an opinion.
August 17th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
My wife didn’t want my young daughter to watch a show because of foul language. She said don’t worry mommy I’ve heard all that. My wife inquired where. She said daddy when he is watching the Bucs. Another day I got in trouble when I was just minding my own business.
August 17th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Pete, Sorry to hear about your family’s issues from your grandmother’s short comings. Maybe cussing wasn’t the issue? Im only guessing, since my grandmother didn’t gamble, drink, or smoke. My grandmother’s kids all turned out fine. They cuss, but are fine.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I would never curse in front of Tony D, or on camera, in church or places like that. Technically, you can’t curse at a Bucs’ game either, not loudly anyway.
I thought most Referee’s first name was F_cker or F_cking anyway. Everything has it’s place and time, like wearing a suit and tie, or flip flops, tennis, etc. You just have to know when, and if you have enough money and balls like Rex Ryan does, what the hell. It may not work for TD, but the Jets under Ryan are pretty darn good. I wish Rex was our Coach.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Honestly the man has the right to believe what wants. You can’t bash on the guy for his morals and last time i checked the proofs in the pudding. People have much more respect for the Man Tony Dungy than because he is solid in all aspects of his life. He knows who he is. If you ask most people off and on the field whose a better man Tony or Rex? Tony is a renown winner.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
The way he carries himself is a large factor in that. Don’t take away from the character the man has. The path of a leader is often lonely. I think this is prime example of that, he’s not willing to compromise his beliefs because of popular vote.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Oh and also Tony was asked these question it’s not like the man went on a tirade and just decided to attack. Also Pete I agree with you 100%. I know for me personally the only reason I curse is when I try to reinforce an emotion and to be honest and I don’t believe it’s different for others. There’s always the exception to the rule I just haven’t met em.
August 18th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I have a habit of cursing when I smash my thumb with a hammer.