Ryan claims Dungy ‘unfairly judged’ him
Jets coach Rex Ryan wants Tony Dungy to see him as more than just a potty-mouthed coach. The New York Jets are the feature team on the HBO series ‘Hard Knocks’ and Ryan used profanity on the show many times while overseeing the Jets training camp. Dungy, the former Buccaneers and Colts coach turned analyst said he felt there was no need for that language and it’s not a good example to kids.
Ryan said he was very disappointed in Dungy: "The thing is, I've been a big admirer of Tony Dungy, and I'm sure a lot of people are," Ryan said. "I felt that he unfairly judged me, and that was disappointing to me."
Dungy is now an analyst for NBC and said on the “Dan Patrick Show” that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should tell Ryan to tone down on the profanity.
"I just don't think the league needs that," said the former Super Bowl winning coach.
Ryan says he called Dungy after hearing his comments. He left a message on his answering machine, inviting him to visit the Jets training camp.
"I've invited him to come to camp or any time to spend the day with me and the organization," Ryan said. "I think maybe he'll have a different take on it."
Ryan had said last week that following the premiere of the show that he was only upset about disappointing his mother. He said he didn’t care about anything else, but apologized if he offended some people.
Ryan was asked if he was surprised that Dungy even suggested taking up the matter with Goodell. "I think I was more surprised that he judged me," Ryan said.
Ryan was criticized for using profanity while in the show he is addressing players and fellow coaches. The five-part series airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m on HBO. HBO warns viewers before the show about the language contained in the show and the channel bleeps out the profanity on re-runs during the day. Ryan said that he is just being himself on the show, foul language aside.
"I'm a good person," Ryan said. "Just because somebody cusses or whatever doesn't make them a bad person. Just because a guy doesn't cuss doesn't make him a good person. So, I'll stand by my merits."
Now, we all know Ryan is not afraid to express how he feels. The NFL must have known what they were getting into when they decided to have HBO air the series following the Jets training camp. You would probably find the same thing if you visited training camps around the league.
The fact is, football is an emotional sport and different people will express their emotions differently. Whatever way coaches decide to run their training camp is their business and if people have a problem, then there probably shouldn’t even be a reality show following a professional football team’s training camp. If there is profanity on an HBO show at night, then kids probably shouldn’t be watching it.
If Roger Goodell were to follow through on what Dungy suggested, then where is the line drawn as to what teams can do at their own training camp? Would all teams need a league babysitter at every practice telling them what to do? These are grown adults and in a country promoting freedom of speech then coaches shouldn’t have to be scolded. The network has warnings and coaches all have their own way of coaching and won’t change that way after the success it has brought them. It was no secret that profanity may be used by many coaches so maybe we just shouldn’t have cameras following them around. Save the cameras for football season.
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