So why did James Dungy commit suicide?
Back in late 2005, we were saddened to hear of this story regarding James Dungy, the 18 year old son of NFL coach Tony Dungy. Why would such a fine young man abruptly kill himself? It was sad, it was tragic, and there seemingly were no answers.
But knowing Coach Dungy and his constant religious pontificating, my gut told me that his son was hiding a deep secret. My instinct told me James was gay, and if you understand the parallel universe that Christians operate in, sometimes death might be preferable to the *insert shriek here* horror of being gay.
Now my instincts are being reconfimed as I read this report in the Indianapolis Star, as Dungy was the keynote speaker at a banquet the other night for some nut group called the “Indiana Family Institute”. This organization is apparently fighting to adopt legislation to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana and also rescind hard won equal rights initiatives in the state.
“IFI is saying what the Lord says,” Dungy said. “You can take that and make your decision on which way you want to be. I’m on the Lord’s side.”
So tell us, Coach Dungy, when exactly did you and God have this conversation?
I used to admire and respect Tony Dungy. Suffice to say that is over.
Rob Says:March 22nd, 2007 at 7:54 pm
“I used to admire and respect Tony Dungy. Suffice to say that is over.”
Funny…I was thinking the same thing about you after this post, as much as it pains me to say that.
Why is it when a Christian man publicly states his beliefs, he is to be scorned and avoided? As far as that crack about James Dungy, well, it’s one thing to disagree with the coach and other Christian conservatives on their views. It’s another thing to speculate that a man’s son killed himself because he may or may not be gay and was afraid to come out to his family.
That’s not respectful or fair. That’s just plain vicious, and shouldn’t be condoned by anyone, regardless of your viewpoint.
So much for this tolerance I keep hearing so much about.
Andrew Says:March 22nd, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Rob - I used to admire and respect Tony Dungy. And I make that statement knowing he is a deeply religious man and uses his faith and principles to guide him in his life.
I would like to think of myself as “tolerant”, and respectful of religious people. Religion was an important part of my family and my growing up years.
I am dismayed that Dungy crossed the line and decided to endorse a super charged political organization whose agenda is hate, disrespect for individual liberties and the dignity of people. And this is aside from whether one is for or against same sex marriage. It is about non discrimination in housing, jobs, health care, property rights and a myriad of other social issues.
As for James, I don’t know why he did what he did. I am just speculating and just connecting the dots. But let’s assume for a moment young James was gay. Here you live in a household and you idolize your dad, yet the constant message you get back is that there is something wrong with you. You are a flawed human being. You can only be “cured” by embracing Jesus Christ and repenting your “sins” unto the Lord.
Yeah, I think I’d blow my brains out.
And yeah, for that kind of twisted logic, which is preached by the Focus on the Family crowd, I have no “tolerance”.
And I’m damn proud of it!
Former Fan Says:March 25th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
You wrote:
But knowing Coach Dungy and his constant religious pontificating, my gut told me that his son was hiding a deep secret. My instinct told me James was gay, and if you understand the parallel universe that Christians operate in, sometimes death might be preferable to the *insert shriek here* horror of being gay.
Now my instincts are being reconfirmed as I read this report in the Indianapolis Star, as Dungy was the keynote speaker at a banquet the other night for some nut group called the “Indiana Family Institute”.
1.) Nothing in that Indy Star report you link to either “confirms” or “reconfirms” anything about your guess that James Dungy was gay. That report, in fact, does not mention James Dungy at all. So perhaps instead of “reconfirms”, you mean some other word?
2.) It seems tome a very bizarre guess on your part that James Dungy was gay. His girlfriend discovered his dead body.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2268593
From the ESPN.com story the day after his death:
“Until such time as the toxicology results are received, normally four to six weeks, the cause and manner of death are listed as pending. Typically, autopsy reports are available within six to eight weeks. James Dungy’s girlfriend found him when she returned to the Campus Lodge Apartments at about 1:30 a.m., Carter said. He wasn’t breathing, and a sheriff’s deputy performed CPR before an ambulance rushed him to University Community Hospital, Carter said. He was pronounced dead there.
former fan Says:March 25th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Sorry, typo:
“Seems tome…” should be “Seems to me…”
And yes, of course I realize having a g/f does not prove he wan’t gay.
But the news at the time discussed fights they had been having and him being distraught at her leaving him.
Again, however, you can engage in whatever wild speculation you wish.
The blogosphere is full of bloggers who like to do that sort of thing instead of sticking to credible facts and expressing opinions about facts.
Alex Says:March 26th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Andrew don’t listen to this bullshit… these so called Christians cheer and rah rah anything that deprives queers of any human rights or equality. They are no different than the terrorists… try to be a gay man in the Muslim world they behead you there. How different are the Jesus freaks here? If they could do it to us they would.
Peter Says:March 26th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Hmmm…Dungy is on the Lord’s side.
But is the Lord on Dungy’s side?
Last I knew, the Lord Jesus never explicitly said a word on the subject that got Dungy in a bit of hot water. Old Testament another story….
Still waiting for clarification from the Lord. Last I knew he hasn’t been proven to have said a word in about two thousand years.
Just sayin’….
HIGHSCHOOL FRIEND Says:August 18th, 2008 at 9:30 am
NO…JAMES WAS NOT GAY HE WAS MY FRIEND N HIGHSCHOOL AND WAS A REALLY NICE DUDE…. HE NEVER SEEMED LIKE THE TYPE TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE. I THINK THERE WAS TROUBLE AND HE JUST THOUGHT OF THE ONLY WAY OUT. HE WAS PRETTY POPULAR IN SCHOOL.. BUT REALLY DOWN TO EARTH…….IN FACT HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON ON THE FOOTBALL TEAM THAT I MET WHEN I CAME INTO SCHOOL. I WAS A FRESHMAN AND HE WAS A JUNIOR. IF IT WASNT FOR HIM I WOULDNT HAVE MADE THE TEAM…….I THINK HE WAS LOST WITH TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH HIS DADS STANDARDS AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO HE WAS HIMSELF BY HIMSELF……..BUT WE WILL ALWAYS MISS DUNGY….AND I HOPE HE IS RESTING IN PEACE AND HAS A SECOND CHANCE………
Sherlock Says:October 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Let me guess, you and Peter are gay? And bitter and hateful people that like to make rampant speculation about other people. Good thing that you’ll never have to worry about losing a son of your own to tragedy, being your gay and all.
(Ironic hypocrisy WAS intended)
How about talking sports.