11/21/24
December 22, 2005
Tony Dungy's Son Found Dead: Breaking news from ESPN.
posted by evil empire to football at 08:51 AM - 71 comments
In the midst of the greatest season - that's quite the kick to the stomach. I hope it wasn't the result of any violence. My sincerest condolences to any parent who loses a child. There are no greater heartbreaks, I imagine.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:59 AM on December 22, 2005
Being near Tampa,We all root for Tony,all us bucs fans have a tear in our eyes for Mr. Dungy,and his family
posted by zomby_wolf at 09:11 AM on December 22, 2005
How sad. Absolutely a parent's worst nightmare.
posted by Bury Bonds at 09:12 AM on December 22, 2005
That's terrible. And around the holidays, too. Such a shame. The poor family.
posted by jerseygirl at 09:13 AM on December 22, 2005
The sheriff's department is saying it's an apparent suicide. It's bad enough to lose a loved one. But when it's at their own hands, it's got to be even more devastating. Tony Dungy seems like a hell of a nice guy from interviews I've seen and heard. Prayers go out to the family.
posted by Desert Dog at 09:35 AM on December 22, 2005
Very sad.
posted by willthrill72 at 09:36 AM on December 22, 2005
I don't even want to imagine what the loss of a child would be like. Unfortunately things like this put life back into perspective, enjoy every minute of it with your friends and family. Hey zomby_wolf, die hard patriots fans feel the same for the Dungy family.
posted by chuy at 09:39 AM on December 22, 2005
My condolences go out to the Dungy family. How sad for this to happen at Christmas.
posted by skydivemom at 09:48 AM on December 22, 2005
Man, how horrid. Dungy's the only reason I can find to not actively root against the Colts. ...
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:51 AM on December 22, 2005
How terrible for Tony and his family. Dungy's a class act, and I can't imagine the hell he must be going through right now. I'll be pulling for him to pull through.
posted by rocketman at 09:55 AM on December 22, 2005
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. What a tragedy.
posted by baxterndino at 09:59 AM on December 22, 2005
such a shame, cant even imagine
posted by steelcityguy at 10:00 AM on December 22, 2005
God Bless the Dungy Family
posted by CountDracula58 at 10:19 AM on December 22, 2005
.
posted by garfield at 10:34 AM on December 22, 2005
.
posted by chicobangs at 10:34 AM on December 22, 2005
How tragic! Our prayers are with the Dungy Family
posted by skydivedad at 10:36 AM on December 22, 2005
.
posted by danostuporstar at 10:36 AM on December 22, 2005
such a shame, cant even imagine posted by steelcityguy My thoughts exactly. I can't even imagine what the Dungy family is going through.
posted by dusted at 10:46 AM on December 22, 2005
Desert Dog, no ones has confirmed suiside, just no foul play looks to be involved, dont assume, anything could of happened something may have been wrong like a blood clot anything and no one even knew. Dungry Family Prayers and Blessings to your family in your time of grief, God Bless all of you!!!
posted by countrygirllostinLA at 10:47 AM on December 22, 2005
Thoughts and Prayers to the Dungy family.
posted by stockman1021 at 10:51 AM on December 22, 2005
How awful. God Bless them. Good thing Indy lost; at least that is off his plate.
posted by arrmatey at 10:59 AM on December 22, 2005
Having personally lost a child some years ago, it forever changed me and took years to be able to cope with it, with the coming of the holiday's, and personal life issues / involvements of the Dungy family, I am sure there is a lot of pain within this family at this time. Kudos to all the postings mentioning prayers and blessings for the Dungy family, I think or know that the blessings, nurturing and love of God finally pulled me through such a horrible, dark and frighting period in my life. Again, our hearts go out the Dungy family
posted by Bradduh at 11:06 AM on December 22, 2005
.
posted by patrickje at 11:35 AM on December 22, 2005
Well, on the professional tip, which I am positive isn't really on anyone's mind right now, Dungy has a month to regroup before the next meaningful game. (Remember Bill Parcells' brother died earlier this year, and he went out and coached a Sunday night (or a Monday night?) game the next day? That had to be awful. This is, if not a better sitaution, at least one where he has some leeway to address all the things that need to be addressed.) One of the reasons I don't want to have kids is because something like this would wreck me in a way I don't know if I could handle. I was pulling for the Colts and Tony Dungy before this, but now... well, now, even more so.
posted by chicobangs at 11:37 AM on December 22, 2005
God Bless Tony Dungy and his family, Such a terrible loss, my heart aches for you.
posted by Sasquatch12154 at 12:37 PM on December 22, 2005
From the article, it sounds like the Dungy family went to considerable effort to give their kids the most normal upbringing possible, to instill in them a sense of responsibility and proportion and keep their heads on straight. I'm sure, having seen his son to the age of 18, Tony Dungy was looking forward to many years of relating to his son as an adult, of a relationship that would have changed but also grown richer, as they both came to appreciate new depths in each other. There are no words to describe the extent of that loss. Good on the Colts for a classy and utterly supportive response. May God bless the Dungy family and help them in their grief.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 01:29 PM on December 22, 2005
It is awful to suggest that this was a suicide without any knowledge. As someone who nearly died of an aneurysm (which strike without any warning and are fatal about 50% of the time), I am well aware of the potential for death to strike suddenly. It sounds like the Dungy's have a good support network, which they will certainly need to get through this awful affair.
Chico, the reason you stated for not wanting kids is actually a big reason why people do have kids. If losing the child would make you feel that awful, think how wonderful having the child would be. And a majority of the time parents do survive their children.
posted by DudeDykstra at 01:51 PM on December 22, 2005
DudeDyksta, AMEN to that my point exactly, almost lost a sister that way without any warning, and she never had one health issue. Thank the lord we still have her and the child she was carring,they were only given 10% to live a clot to the brain. Agian your right children bring you so much joy, nothing in the world is like it. Remember all of us here today are blessed, and Merry Christmas to all ya!!!
posted by countrygirllostinLA at 02:13 PM on December 22, 2005
The talk of suicide has been coming from the sheriff's department and now the Medical Examiner's Office. Terrible tragedy. I lost a friend to suicide while I was in college, and I'm no closer to understanding it now than I was 18 years ago.
posted by rcade at 02:29 PM on December 22, 2005
My thoughts and prayers are with the Dungy family. Losing a parent is hard enough, but losing a child must be devistating. A person always knows in the back of his/her mind that they will someday be laying their parents to rest, but you never think that you will have to lay your child to rest. That would be something that I would have a very difficult time doing. I hope that everyone here hugs their loved ones all a little tighter and tell them how much you love them.
posted by grabofsky74 at 02:50 PM on December 22, 2005
Thanks, rcade. Like I'm just gonna make some shit like that up. Fuck, gimme a break!
posted by Desert Dog at 02:52 PM on December 22, 2005
Desert Dog no one was accusing you of making something like that up. Nothing had been confirmed yet, you did say the sheriff's was saying that, not confirmed that. And I think no one here wanted to add salt to the family. So breath nothing bad attended on what you were saying.
posted by countrygirllostinLA at 03:16 PM on December 22, 2005
Adding salt to the family?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:21 PM on December 22, 2005
.
posted by alumshubby at 03:25 PM on December 22, 2005
It's amazing to me that even in a thread as sensitive and upsetting as this that people will criticize someone for something like how they worded a phrase. Country Girl obviously meant that talking about suicide "added salt to the wound" that the family is coping with (certainly we can all agree that suicide is a more difficult death to deal with emotionally than a natural death). And chico I'm sorry if my previous post came off as sounding like I thought you had just made that up. Obviously, you would not do so.
posted by DudeDykstra at 03:50 PM on December 22, 2005
countrygirl, "breath nothing bad attended on what you were saying"? What the hell does that mean? And DudeDykstra, it wasn't chico's post, it was mine. But chico obviously makes stuff up. Have you read his posts? (just kiddin' chico)
posted by Desert Dog at 04:02 PM on December 22, 2005
It's a shame that there is always someone looking to be nasty, Desert Dog I just wanted you to know I wasnt trying to offend you. Thanks DudeDykstra for your comments and knowing how people truley feel. Your heart is warm. I hope I dont need to tell anyone what I mean. Take care and god bless ya all!!!
posted by countrygirllostinLA at 04:18 PM on December 22, 2005
My bad DD. Meant to apologize to you. And since I have taken on the role as countrygirl's interpreter, I believe she meant to tell you that nothing bad (towards you) was intended by her post, just like I was saying that nothing bad was intended by my post, just that we both thought that the suicide talk was a little premature. I'm not sure what the "breath" part meant, although since I called you "chico" maybe we're both just having trouble remembering who said what.
posted by DudeDykstra at 04:20 PM on December 22, 2005
Countrygirl lighten up, I was just messing around. I didn't mean to offend you, sorry. My sense (or lack of) humor can be abrasive sometimes. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all the Spofites. Hope ya'll get something good under the tree. But you gotta admit, that line you wrote didn't make much sense. And it was kinda funny:)
posted by Desert Dog at 04:23 PM on December 22, 2005
Ok Im cool, no worries, Its just a very sensitive subject. OK i'll also admit the country girl lost in la should say something for the way i speak or write, your not the first to be confused.A true country girl living in so. cal. All forgotten! Have an awsome xmas
posted by countrygirllostinLA at 04:34 PM on December 22, 2005
ps cant we all just get along, im feeling the love
posted by countrygirllostinLA at 04:34 PM on December 22, 2005
Can we show a little respect for the subject of this thread? You want to play footsies, go do it in an old Terrell Owens thread.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:41 PM on December 22, 2005
Sorry, TBH. The phrase tweaked my funny bone. I should point out, however, that I was hardly mocking James Dungy's death in commenting on it, so let's not start making it into something it was not.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 04:50 PM on December 22, 2005
TBH, your'e right. This subject is rough. But life goes on, you can't dwell on death. Nobody was disrespecting anything about it. Some people, such as myself, deal with things easier with a little humor. Ease up, vato. Go grab yourself a cold one and chill out. Besides, footsie can lead to other things. Knowwhatimean?
posted by Desert Dog at 04:57 PM on December 22, 2005
I'm confused like always. I didnt think anyone here was taking the death lightly or showing any disrespect whats so ever. I think all of us was actually showing our respect to the family and sending them our blessings.
posted by countrygirllostinLA at 05:15 PM on December 22, 2005
Some of these comments are ridicoules.The family lost a member.Tony Dungy is more than a class act,he is someone everybody would be glad to call a friend.I would imagine the rest of his family would also fall into this catagory.From Brandon,Fl,God bless the Dungy family
posted by zomby_wolf at 05:16 PM on December 22, 2005
And in an instant, one of the great seasons in the NFL ceases to mean a thing. My heart aches for the Dungy family.
posted by fenriq at 05:25 PM on December 22, 2005
to the dungys,,,our prayers our with you from green bay
posted by xjay at 05:27 PM on December 22, 2005
God bless Tony and his family. I know from his relationship with the Lord Jesus that He will help him and his family through this time. To all, we each have a different way of showing our concerns. Merry Christmas
posted by coach at 05:52 PM on December 22, 2005
.
posted by geekyguy at 05:54 PM on December 22, 2005
I apologise for addressing a slightly different topic (and I mean no disrespect to Tony Dungy or to this subject matter as a whole) but I have a question. I do not have a relationship with "the Lord Jesus." Will I be worse off if one of my family members dies than Tony is?
posted by DudeDykstra at 07:20 PM on December 22, 2005
l_b_b, Desert Dog, countrygirllostinLA (and others), I know you meant nothing personal, and neither did I. I just felt that this was one thread that in no way deserved to go askew. Wasn't trying to come off as an enforcer or anything, just very on point with this topic. Merry Christmas...God Bless Us All.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 07:21 PM on December 22, 2005
DudeDykstra, the religion angle might be a bigger deal here than in most places because of the Dungy family being so deeply religious themselves. Just a thought.
posted by chicobangs at 07:23 PM on December 22, 2005
As a Colts fan, I wish you all would stop bickering. This family and team have lost a very important part of their lives, and most of you are acting like it's almost nothing by complaining about others. Have you not learned a lesson from this? An 18-year-old boy just died from what could be suicide or something else. Who knows? And who cares? All that matters is that he is gone from his wonderful family who must now cope with such a huge loss. Show some respect to a great man and father and to his family, please, for the sake of one Colts fan who is very saddened by this hardship on everyone involved.
posted by bsukmm13 at 07:37 PM on December 22, 2005
bsukmm13, are you reading this thread, or another one? I see no bickering here whatsoever. I don't see any (let alone "most") posts in this thread that are in any way disrespectful.
posted by chicobangs at 08:28 PM on December 22, 2005
Should I start Payton this week or what? Dungy will try to let some anger out by whoopin' Seattle's ass.
posted by Stay black at 08:56 PM on December 22, 2005
I'm sorry if my comment came across as disrespectful. In fact, I tried to insure that wouldn't happen by beginning it with an apology. I was merely trying to pose an interesting philosophical question, which tragic events like this one tend to pose. There rarely are threads like this one which give way to such interesting conversation. However, I am relatively new to this site and don't want to step on any toes. I sympathize with Mr. Dungy, his family, and all those who have lost loved ones. Happy holidays to all, and all the best to you and yours.
posted by DudeDykstra at 08:57 PM on December 22, 2005
wow! Peace be with them
posted by ELWAY_FAN at 09:07 PM on December 22, 2005
DudeDykstra, we step all over each others toes. That's what makes this one of the best conversation-sports sites. We all state our opinion sometimes and it usually ruffles someones feathers. But on the next subject, you're agreeing with the same person who previously called you a moron. If a person has a thin skin, may I recommend teletubbies.com. Happy Holidays!
posted by Desert Dog at 09:29 PM on December 22, 2005
most of you are acting like it's almost nothing by complaining about others. Have you not learned a lesson from this? Did I miss the part where someone here knows the Dungy family? Otherwise it's all professional mourners in this thread. In sum, it is nothing to us. But oh, for the family, it is something else entirely.
posted by yerfatma at 09:32 PM on December 22, 2005
to the dungy family, keep the faith. our prayers are with you. peace from houston. f
posted by frankrod25 at 09:43 PM on December 22, 2005
To the Dungy Family, From a hometown friend and extended family member, I keep you in my prayers everyday. Love, Ericka (Mikel S. Brown's niece)
posted by erickathelioness at 11:42 PM on December 22, 2005
...... Speechless...... To the Dungy's GodBless you and to the Colts sorry about your season it all seems to mean nothing right now. Also I am so sorry about saturday because the Seahawks will show no mercy for your coaches horriable loss. They to are on a mission to break important club records. But back to the seriousness of this thread I am speechless, and I can't imagine what that family is going through right now.
posted by BigDogintheCity at 01:16 AM on December 23, 2005
People should stop saddling other users with their expectations of how this discussion should be conducted. Any time there's a high profile death in the sports world, it's likely to come up for some speculation and other commentary here that would not be considered respectful.
posted by rcade at 06:15 AM on December 23, 2005
sad stuff, real sad stuff heartbreaking, I dunnoh what i would do in his case, and we all know a loss to San Diego doesn't help much either, lets hope he can get over the hump and keep winning games.
posted by Lionsfan20 at 11:27 AM on December 23, 2005
we all know a loss to San Diego doesn't help much either I really don't think Tony Dungy gives a rat's ass about that game right now, or ever will again.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:33 AM on December 23, 2005
lets hope he can get over the hump This isn't some temporary setback. He lost a child. Possibly to suicide. While he wasn't at home.
posted by yerfatma at 11:41 AM on December 23, 2005
Yeah, like his gold fish died or something!
posted by Desert Dog at 11:57 AM on December 23, 2005
Why couldnt it have been Terrell Owens?
posted by NOTaFAN at 12:05 PM on December 23, 2005
Michael Smith of ESPN has written an affectionate column about Dungy and his family that provides a little insight into their lives.
posted by rcade at 03:11 PM on December 23, 2005
That's awful.