Tony Dungy: Michael Vick Needed a Good Father

Former Buccaneers and Colts head coach Tony Dungy said when he retired that he wanted to spend more time not just with his own family, but helping other families. Specifically, he wants to encourage men to be good fathers, and he wants to visit prisons and minister to the inmates.

One of Dungy's first projects is Michael Vick.

Dungy visited Vick at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth shortly before his release this week, and Dungy has an article in this week's Sports Illustrated giving his thoughts on Vick. According to Dungy, Vick told him that his father wasn't a positive influence in his life, and Dungy thinks that if Vick had had a supportive father, he wouldn't have ended up in prison.

Dungy writes:

As a Christian, I follow the Biblical model of how a community should be structured-wisdom should be passed down from elders to juniors, and when that doesn't happen the results won't be good. That's why I'm concerned about the number of young men growing up without active fathers in their lives. This is an increasing problem all across society but especially in African-American homes.
It's ironic that, as I'm leaving pro football, one of the people I'm trying to help was once one of the NFL's biggest stars. But I'm concerned about Michael Vick's life, not his career. And Michael's future, just like those of thousands of other inmates around the country, is worth saving.

Now Vick is heading home, where Dungy says he wants to see Vick be a good father to his own three children and, in Dungy's words, "stop the cycle of young people growing up without a father to help them."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

5-21-2009 @ 8:43AM

bkind7x said...

Debt paid - Out of Debt - he paid his debt - he is free to work - another chance - there is no room for cynicism. Cynicism is best used in a brief thought when hiking through the woods and instructing oneself how not to missjump over a creek; but the stronger value is instructing one's self how TO jump over the creek - but I would suggest you be watching your own feet as you jump rather than mine, because I am watching my feet. Technically, the man is out of debt of judgement, and is free to think and manage jumping the creek himself, if he needs help he can ask and he has those people around him with which he can ask. It is the job of us neighbor's to hope and pray that the weather is good for him as he crosses the creek, and hope that he makes it to the grocery or hardware store and back home safely - so that his has is able to take better care of himself and his house which will bring the value of our house up as well. We can help the sun shine for him all the more, or we can bring many more storms, and make things more difficult, but I really prefer the sunshine over many tornadoes, and I thank God that the average blogger does not control the real weather pattern's. For those of us who believe "In God We Trust" we are just simply in this game together. I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithgul and just to forgive us our
sins ... I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

5-21-2009 @ 9:05AM

Angelia said...

I got news for you, if you are CONVICTED of a FELONY you are NOT guaranteed to be able to get the job you once had! Every place of employment I know of, THAT is the first question thats asked. So no, he should be treated no better than anyone who has a Felony Record. I Hope Mr. Goodell is one of those that will not reinstate a Felon. Vick had a millioon chances, and he blew it. Not only the evil dog fight-gambling, how about taking weed through an airport, flipping off Atlanta fans after a bad game, failing a drug test even when he was waiting for his sentence, and LYING TO THE FACES of Mr. Blank, Roger Goodell, and most of all THE FANS. Good Riddance to this dirt bag.

5-21-2009 @ 3:12PM

Pimp Daddy said...

Angelia said... I Hope Mr. Goodell is one of those that will not reinstate a Felon. Vick had a millioon chances, and he blew it.Why is U AND SO MANY OTHERS is so against this man.There is countless players in the league that is given a second chance and no one is saying anything about them...
Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips,Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner,Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall,Browns WR Donte’ Stallworth,Chiefs running back Larry Johnson,New York Football Giants Receiver Plaxico,Lions receiver Charles Rogers.These is just a few players with legal woes.But what makes them any different then Vick.A crime is a crime no matter who comittee it.Life is like a picture in a frame.The picture might change,but the frame remains the same.

5-21-2009 @ 3:50PM

Malik Myers said...

I sincerly that the perfection of your life without sin never runs out. I hope that you are never in a position to need mercy or help or a second chance. And I pray that if you ever are in that position, that the person standing in a position of judgement over you has more compassion and forgivness in their hearts than apparently you do...I must however ask a question "What makes your hard heart when it comes to the suffering of animals any better than Vick's?" You would intentionally imprison and torture a human animal for the rest of his life. How is that any better than Vick?

5-21-2009 @ 9:56AM

D_Average said...

"As a Christian, I follow the Biblical model"

Eeeks! Has Tony even read some of the advice in the bible?

5-21-2009 @ 10:46AM

Lots of employer's employ felon's. The felon's that employer's worry about are the one's who went in for stealing, but even then people are given chances. It just all depends on who is doing the hiring, if someone wants a good efficient employee and 2 people apply the one who has the felony may clearly be the better worker than the other applicant without the felony - if I want production I am taking the man with the felony if he is the better laborer, and I will wish the other person well.

5-21-2009 @ 1:03PM

Odie said...

I think it is a different scenario when your employees are high profile people whose image is important to your bottom line.
We all know the reinstatement, or lack there of, will have little to no affect on the finances of the NFL, but image concerns are relevant, and Mike Vick is owed nothing, not even a 2nd chance. He must earn that 2nd chance, and if he does, hopefully make the most of it.
And to those saying we all make mistakes and should take care of our own personal business before judging others. Seriously?? Who are you?? While I have made mistakes in my life, I have never committed a felony, or caused the physical or emotional harm that comes along with the wrong-doings that Vick did. I assume the majority of our sane society can say the same, so stop comparing the general public's common problems with those of felons.
The NFL has the right to accept or reject any player based on criminal record just like any other employer. It is not up to supporters, detractors, PETA, or blog commenters.

5-21-2009 @ 12:37PM

bigkenbrwn said...

AS ORGANIZER OF (BLACK FALCONS ALIVE)ITS OUR INTENTION TO ATTACK ALL NEGATIVE BLOGGERS WHOM TRY TO DERAIL MIKE VICK CHANCES OF A SECOND CHANCE BY USING NEGETIVE BLOGGS EVERYONE AT SOME POINT HAS FELL AT THE GRACE OF GOD AND DISAPPOINTED MANKIND AT HIS RULE OF THUMB SO ITS BEST SAID GET THE BEAN OUT YOUR EYE FIRST SWEEP AROUND YOUR OWN FRONT DOOR BEFORE YOU SWEEP AROUND MINES MIKE VICK SHALL RETURNb

5-21-2009 @ 12:42PM

bigkenbrwn4 said...

SO SHALL IT BE WRITTEN SO SHALL IT BE DONE

5-21-2009 @ 12:57PM

gwen said...

MICHEAL VICK HAS PAID HIS DEBT TO SOCIETY. I WISH HIM GOODFORTUNE.

5-21-2009 @ 2:01PM

To Odie - Sure the NFL can turn him away - but I think they will disapoint alot more fans doing that than they will reinstating him - that's my consenses in the general public and outside of blog world. Criminals and felons mistakes are no different than everybody elses mistakes - we all make mistakes - and those who have never been corrected probably make mistakes by the thousands whereas the criminals and felons probably make fewer mistakes in reality, because they have been shown there mistake. ALSO, many things that are "criminal" were at one time not "criminal" such as cocaine in coca cola 100 years ago, alcohol was criminal now it is not, spanking your children when they try to run out into the street once was not a criminal thing (and is debatable) - I could go on - we have all played a part not helping the education system which has fed the disfunctionality in our neighborhoods - I think we can forgive Mr. Vick since you and I both and everyone has done less than 100 percent in helping our education system / and lets hope they forgive us as well, and now Mr. Vick has learned a lesson - he will probably be able to do a lot more than you and I ever have to help other youth avoid becoming involved in disfunctional activities. I mean do you want to grow the dogfighting industry - or help to minimize the dogfighting industry by allowing Mr. Vick an opportunity to once again be seen in public as a natural deterrance from dogfighting just by simply seeing him do the things he loves once again / and instilling a desire in folks not to want to risk losing the things they love in life either by doing questionable activities. Even if Vick didn't offer to help youth - his revitalization would be a detterance from disfunctional activities, and that is more important than my opinion or yours on how we feel about Mr. Vick. He is no threat to society, and no longer a threat to animals. Letting the terrorists out of Guantanamo IS a questionable threat to society - Mr. Vick is NOT ! Playing in the NFL would have a very positive effect on society by all that I have explained above.

5-21-2009 @ 2:29PM

Also, we are talking about 1 man who qualifies for a job that would also help him finance sending (I believe 3 children)to college one day - simply allowing a man to work a job where he is one of the best available employees - will automatically help to college educate 3 young American citizens; that in itself holds a measureless value.

5-21-2009 @ 3:48PM

I respectfully disagree with just about everything stated there. How does letting Vick back into the sport any deterrent to youth to not follow in his footsteps? If anything it only promotes that you can make the same mistakes he did, and still make millions, so long as you are willing to do a little hard time.
Vick has every right to earn back the trust of the NFL and the fans, but he must earn it. Serving time in prison does not accomplish this.
Yes, Vick is not a threat to society (unless you have four legs and fur), when he is done serving his home confinement he deserves no further punishment from the judicial system.
As for society (you and I) taking the blame for his wrong-doing, sorry not taking it. We have a responsibility over that which we can affect, but my daily activities are to provide for my family, and be the best person I can for them and my friends. Obviously Mr. Vick did not think the same. What I have done with my life has no affect on what he or any other person did when breaking the law. Its unfortunate that he and his family do not seem to instill the same values, otherwise he may have avoided all of this.
I feel for his family and his kids that may suffer from his wrong-doing, but he can find other means to provide for them other than the NFL. My goal is helping my kids receive college educations, and I'm doing it without an NFL contract.
It is offensive to equate my life mistakes to that of any convicted criminal, and your argument of what was previously not against the law has absolutely no bearing on the conversation.
Michael Vick deserves the right to move on with his life, but that does not entitle him to anything, he is not a victim, and I will not be made to feel sorry for him. He is a grown man who made his own choices, we can only hope they are the right ones from here on out.
Those are my opinions, and you have yours, and to each their own.

5-21-2009 @ 3:15PM

Fat Boy said...

Tony Dungy, was he a good father, where is his now deceased son?

He should NOT be talking about being a father.

Mike Vick, ROT IN HELL and take bkInd7x with you. He will not play in my NFL, ever. He is done.

5-21-2009 @ 3:21PM

Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips,Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner,Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall,Browns WR Donte’ Stallworth,Chiefs running back Larry Johnson,New York Football Giants Receiver Plaxico,Lions receiver Charles Rogers-------ONE Question: Were these men convicted of a FELONY? Look, I do not like Vick, I cannot like someone who stole family pets to watch them be ripped to shreds to train his dogs. AND NO, I will not support him. One thing Tony must realize. there are a lot of kids in single parent homes. They DO NOT turn out like Vick.

5-21-2009 @ 3:59PM

Most of you who are commenting will never change your minds about Vick. Thats ok. You have your opinion, I have mine. I DO believe in a second chance IF YOU SHOW YOU ARE SINCERELY SORRY. Vick is only sorry because he got caught. I not only dislike him because of the Dog Fighting (although thats right up top), what about the "water bottle incident", the Ron Mexico incident, flipping off Falcon Fans when he had a horrible game, lying to the face of Arthur Blank, Roger Goodell, and most important the fans? He has had his chances and he blew all of them. Now, lets see what happens with this one.

5-21-2009 @ 4:11PM

Water bottle - had residue in it that's all, no charges were ever filed, he wasn't even detained so your point is...

If somebody called you a racially charged name because of a game would you take it or flick them off?

OK he used an alias at a hotel, what star doesn't?

And as for the lying, your right let's keep him down for the rest of his life...now to get all of the other liars in sports out...baseball, track, cycling, the rest of the NFL, and any other league where the folks were untrue about PED's needs to be shut down...

My thing is this, who are you to say what he should or should not be allowed to do?

And also YES, several of the players mentioned before were convicted felons...hell lenord little of the RAMS KILLED a PERSON drunk driving and he was allowed to play again once his obligation was completed.

Again I ask who are you to stand in that much of a moral judgement of another person? You might not have a disgusting felony on your record but I sincerly doubt you are completely without sin.

5-21-2009 @ 4:43PM

Havok said...

Typical Vick. Now blaming his father so he doesn't have to take responsibility for his actions. Heck, he only pleaded guilty once his buddies turned him in, and pleaded guilty to minimal killing of the dogs.

5-21-2009 @ 5:02PM

(To Odie) My perspective is opposite of yours - It's not just about Vick for me (thought I want to see a changed Vick) - I believe that the justice system at work - actually helps your family and every family and youth. I believe in the term "correctional facility" being maximized and the possibility of changing "criminals" into "non-criminals" upon release, and that they have every resource necessary to help them be the best person they can be, and I also think in the change scenario that most changed people will be passionate about helping society rather than complacent, not only from the experience of change, but also because of gratefulness. You and your family as well as mine have been taught to fear things that are of greater consequence - many people all over our country were not that lucky to even be taught any boundaries - Michael Vick is one who clearly was not taught a boundary in this particular area - NOW he has been taught, and I am certain more apt to be aware of other boundaries he may not have been taught to fear. I am not simply feeling sorry for him (although I do) if he doesn't get a second chance (there will never be another Farve or Vick again), but Mr. Vick has the ability to reach many people who have not been taught to fear certain boundaries, and will continue not to have a teacher if Mr. Vick is not given an opportunity to be an influence in a position made for him. It is not a job just anyone can do - NOT because it is a priviledge but because he is more talented than me for that job - and he put the work in toward that talent - he has earned the position and would once again have to re-earn the position for which he is applying for. But more importantly - I believe Mr. Vick's reinstatement (which to me would be justice at work) is so powerful that it will actually lower the overall crime rate all across our country - and that is good for your family and mine and all families and people. That's my opinion.

5-21-2009 @ 6:23PM

type error in my # 19 on the second line - I meant to say though not thought ("though I want to see a changed Vick")

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments