The former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren Dungy know two or more things about raising a family. Throughout the years, the couple has advocated for adoption and foster care, having adopted eight kids.
Born and raised in Jackson, Michigan, Tony Dungy’s football career as a player was short-lived.
After going undrafted in the 1977 draft, the coach joined the Steelers and played for them for two seasons.
Though he didn’t have a huge impact on the field, Dungy won a Super Bowl Ring with the side before getting traded to the 49ers.
His NFL career as a player might have ended in 1980, but that was the year the coaching doors opened for him.
Finally, the Gold Jacket. A wonderful moment and I was so happy to have Lauren and the kids with me to share in it! pic.twitter.com/rqCe94dnYs
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) August 5, 2016
Dungy joined the University of Minnesota as their defensive backs coach. A year later, he returned to the NFL with the Steelers.
He served as a defensive backs coach with the Steelers, the Chiefs, and the Vikings.
In 1996, Tony ultimately became an NFL head coach with the Buccaneers.
He remained the Bucs’ head coach for five seasons and joined the Colts in 2002. With the Colts, Tony became the first black coach to win the Super Bowl title in 2007.
Tony’s side defeated the Bears 29-17 at Super Bowl XLI. After his Super Bowl victory, Tony coached two more seasons and retired after the 2008 season.
Since retirement, Tony has become a family man and even wrote a book about his married life with his wife, Lauren.
Tony Dungy Met His Wife Lauren Through A Pastor
Tony Dungy’s wife, Lauren Dungy, was adamant about not going out with a football player.
Her friend and church pastor, John, kept telling her to meet Tony, a guy who played for the Steelers.
In their book Uncommon Marriage, Lauren said she tried her best to avoid meeting Tony.
But some things are destined to be. Lauren was in no hurry to tie the knot and left it to the man above, saying he knew the best.
Seeing how adamant John was about Tony, Lauren finally gave him the green signal to set them up.
Tony and Lauren’s first meeting was at her house. In their book, Lauren writes,
It was like a cartoon—one person would leave and another would show up, but he was simply seeing the normal bustle of our household.
via: Susan Me
Tony’s first impression of Lauren was solid. By the time afternoon arrived Lauren felt bad for pushing Tony away for so long.
Before he left Lauren’s house, Tony asked for her number and said he would call her to play tennis.
Five years after their first meeting, the couple tied the knot on June 19, 1982.
Wishing a Happy Birthday to the most special person in my life—my beautiful wife Lauren. Hope you have a wonderful day.
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) November 1, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!😀❤️ pic.twitter.com/NdJ7bAnWsA
Before her marriage to Tony, Lauren worked as an elementary school teacher and is currently a Sunday School teacher.
With her husband, Lauren has established the Dungy Family Foundation.
She currently functions as the foundation’s Vice President and is also the founder and president of the Sisters Book Club.
The multi-hyphenated woman also serves on the staff of the Central Tampa Baptist Church, is the Women’s Bible Study leader, and works with the Youth Choir.
Lauren And Tony Are Biological Parents To Three Kids And Have Adopted Eight
The pro-life Christian couple Lauren and Tony Dungy are biological parents to Tiara, Eric, and James Dungy.
But in 2005, the couple met with an unfortunate incident. Their eldest son, James Dungy, left the world at just 18.
James Dungy committed suicide at his Tampa-area apartment with no note found.
The Dungy family wanted to donate James’ tissue and organs, so an autopsy was not immediately performed.
Even during the toughest time, the family stayed strong. In a 2006 speech, Tony said,
He was a Christian and is today in heaven, He was struggling with the things of the world and took his own life. People ask how I could come back to work so soon. I’m not totally recovered, I don’t know if I ever will be, it’s still ever-painful,
via: Baptist Press
Lauren and Tony’s daughter, Tiara, is a PhD student at the University of South Carolina in Foundations and Inquiry.
She currently works as an education consultant and facilitator at Narait Consulting.
Tiara is part of the adjunct faculty at The Fund Raising School and a Philanthropy Associate at the United Way of the Midlands.
Our family is doing our annual bell ringing for the Salvation Army Red Kettle. We love supporting their mission. If you’re near the Publix at The Apex in Tampa come out and see us!😀 pic.twitter.com/RsSRGnjPIG
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) December 10, 2024
The couple’s other son, Eric Dungy, graduated from the University of Oregon with a sociology degree and is currently a real estate advisor at Compass/Sports and Entertainment Division.
In a 2018 interview with Indy Star, Lauren and Tony revealed they had seven adopted kids living with them in their Florida home.
The kids-Jordan, Jade, Justin, Jason, Jalen, Jaden, and Jaela were between 3 and 18 years old.
During the interview, the couple also revealed they had recently welcomed a five-year-old foster child.
In a 2024 FOX interview, Tony and Lauren said they’ve had 75 kids come through their home.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tony and Lauren have written children’s books- Austin Plays Fair, and Maria Finds Courage, targeting children from kindergarten to the fourth grade.
- One of Tony and Lauren’s children, Jordan Dungy, has a rare congenital disease in which he can’t feel pain.
