A recent Tony Dungy Story: Good Samaritan in Indy

by farris6659 on Mar 3, 2009 11:28 AM EST

Please rec this FanPost! Special thanks to farris6659 for forwarding this enjoyable story to us. I edited the title so folks would get a better idea of the story's subject, and I placed the forwarded email into our quotes box. Enjoy, and thanks again to farris6659. --bbs

I received this e-mail from one of my Vikings friends. Thought I would share it. It seems to be gaining steam as a forward.

Last Friday I was going through the Indianapolis Airport .

People in the Security Check line were grumbling about what nonsense the process was, blah, blah, blah. An elderly lady (in a different line) was struggling with her luggage, pocketbook, etc.
She was also confused about what to do, how to do it, couldn't get her shoes off (and a host of other things).
The Security Officials weren't helping the situation either (they can be mighty callous at times).

I started to move her direction, but before I could get out of the line I was in, a gentleman (close by) sat down all of his stuff, and began to help the lady. I thought he looked familiar, but it didn't register; it was fascinating to see him come to her aid (nobody else was making a move to help!).
He was talking to her, making conversation, helping her untie her shoes, putting her things in one of those bins, and making sure she was AT EASE. He helped her through the screening gate, then calmly put his things on the belt, went through and immediately began to help the lady put her shoes back on, gather her belongings, etc. In the meantime she had reached in her purse to show him pictures of her family.
He made a big fuss over the photos, then asked for a wheelchair so he could get her to her gate. Honestly, it was a Hallmark script. They disappeared down the concourse together... he was pushing the wheelchair and she was jabbering with him. It made me smile....

NOW HERE'S THE KICKER: I got through security and went to get something to drink. Just beyond the little restaurant was a group of people gathered, all excited, shaking hands, etc., and in the center of them was THIS KIND GENTLEMAN who had been helping the lady.

And, guess who it was?
TONY DUNGY, retired coach of the Indianapolis Colts! I looked at his hand and, SURE' NUFF there was the HUGE diamond Super Bowl ring.

The point:
The elderly lady didn't know who he was, or care WHO HE IS, of would even have known had she been told. HE DID THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASON. Important people serve others with a sense of purpose.

These kinds of things are still THE BEST LESSONS EVER. . . . . .

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Man, I miss Coach so much.

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by Brad Wells on Mar 3, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions

Dungy "walks the walk"...

instead of just “talking the talk”…awesome!

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Mar 3, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions

Great story!

by LovinBlue on Mar 3, 2009 12:06 PM EST reply actions

lol nice

there’s only one NFL coach who could fit the character in this story.
set an example with your actions.

http://www.irun.com/users/6967/downloads/Jays%20Win%20Back-to-Back%20World%20Series.mp3

by torontocoltsfan on Mar 3, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions

i got this as a forward as well...

it definitely sounds like a Tony Dungy story, but wonder if it is true or not. i want to believe, but coming to me as a forward takes away some of it’s credibility. regardless, that Dungy is a good man!

by Matic on Mar 3, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions

great story

by Lrccolt4 on Mar 3, 2009 1:15 PM EST reply actions

For this story alone

Dungy should be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

by KMR24 on Mar 3, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions

Not taking anything away from Tony

Great guy, model person, role model that teaches by example. However, I think this more illuminates the indifference and apathetic society the modern world has become. It’s a little strange when I help people (always open doors, help carry bags etc. that don’t even force me to do anything but give up 30 seconds to a couple minutes of my time) the shocked looks they give me. It sort of makes me feel weird. I’m just doing what is a reaction to me, however, I guess I’m not the norm. I’d feel lick a complete dick if I saw security guards at an airport being rude and generally giving an old lady a hard time. I definitely would have said something and helped her. I’ve gone much more out of my way in other situations. And I’m not gloating because I never ask for thanks or a pat on the back, and to look for it is a form of self gratification that undermines the reason behind helping someone in the first place. The times that do tick me off though are when younger guys, or girls, completely ignore you if you hold a door and especially if they’re on the cell phone.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that the fact that this is an “Oh my god, did you see what Tony did?” is more of how society has turned out to be than anything extraordinary that he did. He probably doesn’t even remember doing it. Like I said, I may not be a HoF HC, but I do it out of reaction. Half the time I don’t even realize I just offered to carry somebody’s groceries etc. and end up driving away without a second thought. That’s the type of country and world we SHOULD live in. It’s a little sad we don’t.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 3, 2009 4:30 PM EST reply actions

well when I see someone carrying things behind me

I slam the door shut after me, hold it closed while laughing and pointing at them, then run away, hide, sneak up behind them and trip them.

I ain't tryin' do you, I'm just tryin' do me
Last album did two, I'm just tryin' do three.
-Young Jeezy "I Luv It

by shake n bake on Mar 3, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

You make sure to rip a big one first

If it’s those double closed doors, or leave one for them in an elevator too right? If not, you’re seriously letting me down bro.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 3, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

Still don't know about it...

Tony doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would wear his SB ring everywhere he went. I’m sure he is really proud of it, but he seems a little more humble than that…. at least I’d hope.

by hoosierdore on Mar 3, 2009 5:59 PM EST reply actions

might depend on where he was going

depends on who he was meeting at the other end of the flight doesn’t it? (Like on his way to an interview or speaking engagement).

Also that ring is the symbol of years of hard work and commitment, so it doesn’t surprise me he’d wear it.

An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...

by bluegirl on Mar 4, 2009 6:04 AM EST up reply actions

This is Dungy character.

I love the man. True story or not, this is the kind of guy he is. And it is all too rare today.

by coltsfanawalt on Mar 3, 2009 6:52 PM EST reply actions

Tony Dungy Good Samaritan

Yes, this after all a TRUE Story, I posted this in one of my blogs a couple of weeks ago. This was my daughter’s aunt Doris who witnessed this whole thing and E-mailed every family member the next morning,of her cool encounter at the airport. I thought it was encouraging and so uplifting, I just had to blog about it. He did have on his ring this day,not something he does often. But I just wanted to let those skeptical ,and rightfully so, that it is true.He is some amazing man!! Rebecca

by rebecca1006 on Mar 8, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions