Character Not Color

By this time you have probably heard that Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith are poised to be the first African-American coaches to reach the Super Bowl. One of them will walk away with the distinction of being the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl. What makes this story more interesting is that both men are friends, both men coached together in Tampa Bay and both men have solid Christian testimonies.

And don't think that the quality of their character has gone unnoticed. Here is what Michael Smith from ESPN.com has to say about them.

"Dungy and Smith are role models, not just for coaches who look like them or men who look like them, but for all coaches and all men. They live their lives the right way, and as a result they do their jobs the same way. Their priorities are, in order: faith, their families and football. The outcome of the Super Bowl or any game does not define them. They personify words such as class, grace, dignity, honor and integrity. We all can draw inspiration from men such as these."

"Dungy and Smith are Christian men who serve the Lord first and spend nearly as much time serving their communities. Doesn't prevent them from winning. And often. In just three seasons Smith, last season's Coach of the Year, has helped build the Bears into a league power. Dungy has won more regular season games than any coach since 1999. Where does color factor into that?"

"After they won their conference championships, you heard Smith talk about his "being blessed" and Dungy give thanks to God. That isn't just lip service with these guys. As Christians they believe it is their responsibility to let their light shine whenever they're in the spotlight. Just as they have a game plan for each other come Super Bowl Sunday, both plan to use the global platform that the Super Bowl provides to speak words that could make an impact beyond football. At his oldest son James' funeral last year, Dungy used the eulogy as an opportunity to teach lessons about manhood and fatherhood."

Dungy and Smith remind us that a person is to evaluated not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character. The Super Bowl will be decided on Sunday evening. One team will be crowned the victor, one relegated to defeat. But the verdict is already in on Dungy and Smith. Both men are winner, on and off the field.