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Now awhile ago I wrote my first article on Tony Dungy the man, coach and father http://searchwarp.com/swa32084.htm and for the life of me it really didn’t get too much reaction or play. You see all the noble and honorable characteristics this man exemplifies is not evidently “press" worthy as they like to say. It just doesn’t sell but to the few and yet it needs to be said.
Well it seems that whatever you would like to call it truth has a funny way of showing up. It may not be immediately, and it may be quite awhile later but you can bet it will show up. Now Mr. Dungy was evidently one of the many who were told “don’t worry you have a job with us". I am sure many of you have heard that one before. It is from the same crowd that says things like "read my lips no new taxes" or “I did not have sex with that woman", or “America is ready for a change" and they still have people singing their praises.
Yes, America is ready for a change but not from the likes of people who profess one thing but do another.
Here is a man who underwent rejection and lies while trusting in faith in a person. The fact that his wife sensed, which believers call discernment, the betrayal, didn’t dawn on him because he is a man of character. You know the old breed of man where your word is your bond. Where the characteristics of honor, integrity, truth, loyalty, courage, family, friendship and one could go on and on are looked at as a sign of weakness and of being a fool in todays world yet he relied on it and based his life on it. You see he believed a man simply because the man said it to him. Nothing else was required. It was the highest compliment to that person one could give. How sadly the man proved just what he was.
Rhetorically one can ask the Buccaneers verses the Colts just who the real fools are? A simple question of anyone who knows this man and the answer comes loud and clear exactly the same. In fact you don't have to know him personally you know his character by what others profess about him and his deeds, thoughts and works. In other words his record and npot just what he says speaks for himself. A very significant aspect. My wife tells me one day he showed up at their elementary school. By nature of his presence he overwhelmed them with his humbleness, caring and considerate way. He was a force and he had only spoken a few gentle words.
Now don’t get me wrong, I had to learn a lesson about life from him. I was brash and wanted more excitement in my football team. Too slow for me was he. I never doubted the man, just his fire. Yet, God showed me something and I am sorry for any non-believers I offend, I attribute this mans essence to his faith in God, that what we got in his release was in my opinion was the opposite of every valued characteristic this man possessed.
I actually hated to see the tone; vileness portrayed on the screen each week, the situation with the players and it made quite an impression over why there are so many problems in our society. Cursing, lack of respect, falsehood, a lack of trust and on and on one could go all shown forth each Sunday clear as day.
This was evidently also the acceptable position of the masses and not the humble, patient, caring ways of a just and honorable man. In my opinion it was we who had no faith, it was we with no trust, and it was we who were the hypocrites.
And yes, it is demonstrated in my opinion in every aspect of our society. A good person said to me she was worried about me. You see any good person doesn’t understand why we allow these type of situations to continue, explotation, greed, deceit, etc? Why we do not take hold of values, morals and character and reinstall them into society as that which really made this nation and people great. It wasn't just white people, no. It wasn't just black people, no, etc, etc. It was all honorable law abiding, God fearing people of all races, which made America.
Now here is a man of true humbleness. Now I do not see a black man . I do not see anything more then a man, a father, a leader, a coach, a builder of people and character. His characteristics are the building blocks of all families, races, religions, creeds, gender and nations.
Have I ever met this man? The answer is no. Does he show anger at times, is he hurt at times, does he error at times, does he fail at times? The answer is I expect yes. Why, because he is subject to that which all men do, we fail. But and here is the big but, he overcomes them through faith, love, humbleness, integrity and honor. jhe looks at that face in the mirror, reaches deep within to that which is the rock and he accepts, gets up and moves forward.
Mr. Dungy God has surely chosen your path after coaching. Like any of the greats, Ghandi, Martin Luther, Rosa Parks, Mother Theresa, He has chosen your path after coaching. Certainly you will never place yourself in their category for the greats never do. That is for others to do. However, you are already doing that which He wants. He has forged you in the fire and you have come out pure and there is a reason that many times we mere mortals just do not understand.
So we have you as an example and we should take hold of it. Those who are youth ministers and just good plain decent people, the teachers who love their students and just don’t show up for a paycheck. Yes, leaders at every level should embrace this mans way of life as our own and demonstrate it in our life as he does and start to make the changes this country so desperately needs starting at home and in our own communities. What is in him is in all if we reach out for it.
I hope that what I wrote encourages people to take action for the answers lie in We the People and by people I do mean not by dividing us by race, color, religion, slogan, word or any other physical or professed thing. But by accepting what we all are, human beings, with the same wants, desires and needs. When all men address the wrongs clearly, in truth and with honesty change can come. It can be done and it starts with one!
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2007 Copyright ©2007 Robert Melaccio
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