Tony Dungy Breaks Silence After Receiving ‘Disappointing News’

Tony Dungy confirmed that he will not be returning to NBC’s “Football Night in America” ​​next season.

“I was informed by NBC that I will not be back with FNIA this fall and to give me time to reflect and look forward,” said the former NFL analyst on Thursday, March 13, posted by X. “It’s disappointing news but I want to thank my NBC family for making these 17 years so special.”

Dungy, 70, has served nearly two decades in the role, first joining the program in 2009 after retiring as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and a few seasons after leading the Colts to a Super Bowl XLI championship.

“I will have lasting memories of my time there, especially with Rodney Harrison who has become a great friend,” he said in his statement. “God has been guiding me through these times and although I am not sure how the next step will affect me — whether it be in football, broadcasting, or getting more involved in the church and society — I know that God has plans for my life and I can’t wait to see. [sic] they unfold. And I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in the Bible—Romans 8:28. ‘God works all things for His good to those who love the Lord.'”

The Pro Football Hall of Famer became the first African American coach to win a Super Bowl with that 2006 championship. He began his head coaching career in 1996 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and stayed there for six seasons. He later joined the Colts, where he coached until his retirement in 2008. The following year, he joined the NBC broadcast team.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach in 2016.

Before coaching, he played three seasons in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XIII with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1978.

According to a report dated February 25 AthleticNBC plans to “revamp” its NFL pregame show this coming season, which led to Dungy’s firing. The changes reportedly involve taking the show fully on the road, rather than splitting coverage from the band and studio crew.

Dungy was so focused during Super Bowl week this past February, he refused to reveal how he voted for the Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which will not include Bill Belichick after not receiving enough votes.

Although voters are not required to reveal their votes, Dungy’s hesitation has led to speculation that he did not vote for his former rival, Belichick.

“I’m not going to reveal that,” Dungy said during the Super Bowl pregame show. “When you enter the committee, you swear that you will not discuss the debates, or whatever happens there, I will not put any of my colleagues under the bus who voted for him, who I voted for.”