Quotes from Tony Dungy

Part of our purpose in life is to build a legacy – a consistent pattern of building into the lives of others.

I was a quarterback in college. I hoped to go to the NFL, and I didn't get drafted. I then became a free agent. I could sign with whoever I wanted to, and I ended up going to Pittsburgh.

My parents had a strong impact on who I am today. My mother and dad both encouraged us to think about the long term - where you wanted to be - to think about education, to think about what is right and what is wrong, and to do things that will help you in the long run.

The Lord doesn't always take you in a straight line. He tests you sometimes.

I was able to look at football as something that God was allowing me to do, not something that should define me. I couldn't take my identity from this sport.

You can't always control circumstances. However, you can always control your attitude, approach, and response.

I learned it doesn't matter how you win. You play to your team's strength.

The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better.

Take a moment to think about your answer to this question: Am I prepared to have great success and not get any credit for it?

What's important is not the accolades and memories of success but the way you respond when opportunities are denied.

As a father of seven kids, and been a kid myself at one point, I realize you don't always make the best decisions every time out. And life is a learning experience.

I guess I'm flattered that people think I can help get things done.

The best leaders are following Christ. That's the best leader you can follow.

The first thing you have to do is make sure you're still wanted back. I never take that for granted any more.

That's the difference between the NCAA and the NFL right now. They've got to step up and say, 'We're going to do the right thing. We're going to hire qualified people. We're going to hire the best man for the job regardless of what boosters or anyone else has to say.'

That's the key to defending any quarterback: to make them throw before they want to throw.

I wish Michael Sam nothing but the best in his quest to become a star in the NFL,and I am confident he will get the opportunity to show what he can do on the field.

I've said all along that God is in control.

Courage is the ability to do the right thing, all the time, no matter how painful or uncomfortable it might be.

Integrity is what you do when no one is watching; its doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to your disadvantage.

But there's no substitute for a full-time dad. Dads who are fully engaged with their kids overwhelmingly tend to produce children who believe in themselves and live full lives.

I found that while life drags on when you're losing, it marches on when you're winning.

Football is a vocation and an opportunity for ministry. But it's not a life.

The further I get away from coaching, the more I know I made the right decision. You almost forget how wonderful family life is.