Colts Coach Dungy Calls It Quits

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 12, 2009 8:52 PM CST

Tony Dungy bid an emotional farewell to football today as the Indianapolis Colts head coach announced his retirement, the Indianapolis Star reports. “I’ve been tremendously blessed,’’ said Dungy, 53. "It’s been fantastic.” The first black coach to win a Super Bowl, Dungy owns the Colts' best win-loss record, 92-33. "What Phase 2 is, we’ll find out," he said. "But Phase 1’s been awful special and awful sweet."

Tears flowed at today's press conference. Colts GM Bill Polian said Dungy has been a “mentor, a role model and a cherished friend.” Quarterback Peyton Manning called it a "a sad day." Dungy, who has contemplated retirement for several seasons, struggled with his emotions but stayed positive. “Don’t shed any tears for me,’’ he said. "I’ve gotten to live a dream that most people don’t get to live." (More Tony Dungy stories.)

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