On Friday, former NFL coach Tony Dungy delivered a powerful speech at the March for Life in Washington D.C.
During the speech, Tony Dungy delivered a compelling address on the strength of prayer as he shared the story of Damar Hamlin, a Buffalo Bills player who made a remarkable recovery from a cardiac arrest during a recent Monday Night Football game.
“It’s amazing to me that God actually used football to shine some light on the subject of life for all of us,” Dungy said. “Three weeks ago, during a game in Cincinnati, something happened that impacted our entire country. A young man named Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills made a routine tackle, and his heart stopped beating right on the field. It could’ve been tragic, but something miraculous happened. Team medical staff rushed out and they got Damar’s heart started again, but you know what? That wasn’t the miracle.”
“The real miracle was the reaction of everyone to that,” he continued. “The announcers on the broadcast, what did they say? “All we could do is pray.” And all across the country, people started praying. Lauren and I were having dinner with friends of ours, and we stopped what we were doing, and we prayed right there.”
“Well, those prayers were answered, Damar’s recovering now, he’s home, he’s been released from the hospital, but what’s the lesson in that?” Dungy asked. “An unbelievable thing happened that night. A professional football game with millions of dollars of ticket money and advertising money on the line. That game was canceled. Why? Because a life was a stake, and people wanted to see that life saved. Even people who are not necessarily religious got together and called on God.”
“Well, that should be encouraging to us because that’s exactly why we’re here today because every day in this country, innocent lives are at stake,” he continued. “The only difference is they don’t belong to a famous athlete, and they’re not seen on national TV. But those lives are still important to God and in God’s eyes.”
WATCH:
Check out some reactions on Twitter:
The backlash against Tony Dungy is well-orchestrated and not remotely organic. The motive is to outlaw a biblical worldview. The anti-God agenda is so strong and obvious. I'm so sick of alleged Christians sitting silent while someone like Tony has his character assassinated.
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) January 20, 2023
Tony Dungy is a man of character, faith, and great wisdom. He and his wife have courageously stood for innocent children and their right to life. Well done Coach @TonyDungy! https://t.co/AHvM5GGxNh
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) January 20, 2023
Extremist progressives are slandering @TonyDungy's good name because he's an outspoken Christian who supports the Pro-Life movement.
Tony Dungy is a man of great integrity, faith, and character who can NOT be canceled by radical left-wing extremists.
I stand with Tony! https://t.co/yj3QSQA43l
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) January 20, 2023