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Eric Dungy To Play Football At Plant

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By KATHERINE SMITH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2008

TAMPA - Dungy is returning to Tampa. Eric Dungy, that is.

The sophomore wide receiver and son of Indianapolis Colts and former Bucs coach Tony Dungy enrolled at Plant and began classes Tuesday when the school reopened following the holiday break.

Plant football coach Robert Weiner has been in California this week attending the American Football Coaches Association convention. He's looking forward to returning and meeting the newest member of the Panthers team.

"I know he's been in classes," Weiner said, "and he's definitely playing football."

During the Colts' bye week in October, Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren took a tour of Plant. It turned out to be a scouting trip.

At the time, Dungy downplayed that visit in a statement released by the team saying he and his wife often visit various schools during their down time. The Dungys kept their home in the Avila neighborhood, which is Gaither High School's district, after he was fired by the Bucs in 2002. Weiner believes they bought a second home in the Plant district. Tony Dungy declined comment through a team spokesman.

Eric Dungy, who turns 16 on Saturday, has grown up on the sidelines alongside his father. He arrives at Plant in time to participate in the team's offseason workouts. The Panthers begin team weight training Monday and structured workouts on Jan. 21.

"It's a perfect time for him to come in," Weiner said. "Just getting in the weight room with everyone is a great way to get to know the guys."

Dungy, the leading receiver at Indianapolis Park Tudor High last year, is also joining the Panthers at an opportune time as Plant loses its top two receivers, seniors Derek Winter and Cornelius Gallon.

The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Dungy led his team (3-7) with 27 receptions for 331 yards last season. He also had three passes defensed and had 27 tackles as a defensive back.

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