A photo of Tony Dungy working as a Salvation Army "bell ringer" went viral this week after a passerby posted a picture on social media of the NBC analyst and former NFL coach standing in front of a local grocery store.
The photo shows Dungy wearing a red Santa-like hat while ringing the bell and working as a Red Kettle volunteer in front of a Publix. Dungy apparently did not know his picture was being taken.
Jay Feely, a CBS Sports football analyst, posted the photo on Twitter. The Tweet drew nearly 50,000 likes.
"Tony Dungy won a Super Bowl as HC. Played in the NFL. Works as a studio analyst on NBC. But I respect him as a man more than anything he has done in football," Feely wrote. "Here he is (without any fanfare) quietly volunteering with The Salvation Army at the local grocery store – Servant leader."
Tony Dungy won a Super Bowl as HC
— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) December 20, 2022
Played in the NFL
Works as a studio analyst on NBC
But I respect him as a man more than anything he has done in football.
Here he is (without any fanfare) quietly volunteereing with The Salvation Army at the local grocery store-Servant leader pic.twitter.com/A5749xojsM
Others on Twitter also applauded Dungy.
"I have always loved this man. Now even more," one person wrote.
"He's a good guy, a class act. He's about helping people and making this world better," another person wrote.
"Mr. Dungy is a living legend and more humble, thoughtful, & insightful than anyone you'll ever meet," still another person wrote.
Dungy often volunteers for the Salvation Army. On Dec. 7, he posted a photo of his family at the local Publix Red Kettle and invited people to donate.
"We are out ringing bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle at the Publix at the Apex in North Tampa," he tweeted on Dec. 7. "If you're close, come by and see us tonight and make a holiday donation for the needy!"
We are out ringing bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle at the Publix at the Apex in North Tampa. If you’re close come by and see us tonight and make a holiday donation for the needy! pic.twitter.com/Sp1Tvnnvek
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) December 7, 2022
In 2020, he told WFLA that the Salvation Army needs the community's support.
"This time of year, it always goes through your mind, who is taking care of the people who can't take care of themselves," he said. "Our kids have great Christmases, but a lot of people don't, and the Salvation Army is huge in providing for them."
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Scott Halleran/Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
