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Dungy Draws On Childhood For New Inspiration
Special to TBO.com
Tony Dungy targets children in his new book, which details how younger brother Linden lived in Dungy's shadow growing up.
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Published: July 9, 2008
TAMPA - Nothing beats the heart-stopping excitement that comes with winning a Super Bowl.
That's something former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy will never forget; he captured football's biggest prize with his Indianapolis Colts in 2006. But watching his first book climb to the No. 1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list last year also rates pretty high.
''When you do things you don't expect, and that book was unexpected, it's quite a thrill to see it succeed like that,'' says Dungy, co-author of the memoir ''Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices & Priorities of a Winning Life.''
Now he's hoping for a repeat performance.
This time, he's tackling the children's market with his just-published ''You Can Do It!'' (Little Simon Inspirations, $16.99) for 4- to 7-year-olds.
''I never thought I'd be doing this two years in a row,'' he said in a phone interview Wednesday. ''But we had such an overwhelming response from the first one. We were told we helped a lot of people with it. So we wanted to do it again, but with a younger audience.''
With his wife, Lauren, cheering him on, Dungy did it again. ''Inspirational and encouraging'' is how he describes the book, based on a true story from his own youth. It centers on his younger brother, Linden, who lived in the shadows of star athlete Tony and his two high-achieving sisters, Sheri and Lauren. Everyone thought Linden should follow in his older brother into sports, but their father instead gently guided Linden toward pursuing his own dreams.
''That's why he's such a hero to me,'' Dungy says of his late father, Wilbur, a science professor.
Tony Dungy excelled in professional football. His two sisters pursued careers in health care. And Linden did well for himself, too. He's a dentist with a practice in the Minneapolis area.
''Now they joke that I'm the one who couldn't get through the tough part of school,'' Dungy says with a laugh.
Dungy will sign copies of ''You Can Do It!'' at 4 p.m. Friday at the Barnes and Nobles Booksellers in Carrollwood. Wristbands to reserve books will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at noon.
Dungy knows it's hard getting some children to read. In fact, he admits he was one of those kids.
''I liked sports books,'' he says. ''And Dr. Suess. They were fun to read, but didn't have any particular message. That's something we wanted to give with this one.''
Although the book was picked up by a secular publisher and is being promoted in the mainstream market, its spiritual message is evident.
''That's the underlying message in everything I do,'' says Dungy, who is very open about his Christian faith. ''While it's great to have ambitions, you have to involve the Lord and put him first. Then you will have a much better chance of making those dreams come true.''
Another intent of the book: Give African-Americans kids a positive story about family life. He's already toying with the idea of a third book, this one targeting teenagers.
Training camp begins in two weeks – perfect timing for Dungy to peddle his book at events like the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando next week. When he returns to his football life, he'll be leaving Lauren and their five kids here in Tampa, where they've moved permanently.
''It's not easy, but a lot of people have to commute for their jobs,'' he says. He plans to be in town most Friday nights to see son Eric play football for Plant High School. And he has ties to several faith-based organizations, such as Family First and Abe Brown Ministries.
He's also hoping to return to Tampa early next year for a different reason – the 2009 Super Bowl. Only he would like to be on the field at Raymond James Stadium with his Colts.
''That would be pretty awesome,'' he says. ''And it's obviously the goal we're working toward.''
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