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Dungy Scouting Plant High For His Son?

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By KATHERINE SMITH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2007

TAMPA - Earlier this school year, Plant High received a visit from Governor Charlie Crist. Two weeks ago, it was a Super Bowl-winning coach creating a buzz on campus.
Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy spent part of his team's bye week checking out the facilities at Plant. Dungy's son, Eric, is a sophomore wide receiver/defensive back for the Indianapolis Park Tudor High Panthers and could become a member of a different Panthers football team.

'I know Coach Dungy met with our principal and stuff like that,' Plant coach Robert Weiner said. 'I really don't know what the situation is, but I know that everybody at school knew that they were here.'

Weiner said he didn't know much about Eric's athletic abilities, other than the fact he is a wideout. With Plant's top two receivers, Derek Winter and Cornelius Gallon, graduating after this season, Eric could provide some help at the position.

The 6-foot-1, 165-pound sophomore leads his Park Tudor team with 331 receiving yards and three passes defensed. He's also seventh on the team with 27 tackles.

Dungy has often talked about retiring to Tampa and starting a prison ministry when he is done coaching. The family has kept a home in the Avila neighborhood, which is in Gaither High's district, since Dungy was fired by the Bucs in 2002.

To attend Plant, the Dungys either would have to relocate to Plant's district or receive a special assignment.

'I know that Tony is a great man and I was able to talk with his wife Lauren a little bit,' Weiner said.

'You just know if his kid did have an opportunity to be here, what an honor it would be for us just to have that family be a part of our football family.'

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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