Tony Dungy - Uncommon Influence: Saying Yes to a Purposeful Life

With a he said/she said format, former NFL coach Dungy (Quiet Strength) and his wife, Lauren, share lessons learned over more than thirty years of marriage. They are different in personality, but their deep faith and commitment to their relationship help them grow closer through career changes, multiple moves, the rearing of nine children, and family tragedy. They discuss the wide variety of incidents and factors that have strengthened their marriage, like working through different communication styles and learning the importance of praying together. They also share the difficulties through which they have walked together, like being in the public eyeTony became the first African-American head coach to guide a team to the Super Bowldealing with the loss of a parent; and coping with the suicide of their son. They offer their thoughts in personal, conversational style with the hope that readers can recognize some part of their own marriage and be able to find guidance, hope, and encouragement. The book reads more like an enjoyable chat with longtime friends than the helpful marriage guidebook that it is.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY on Uncommon Marriage

Tony Dungys life is a living testimony of a mans faith in God. He has given us a new picture and definition of a Coach. Good guys do come in first!

LOVIE SMITH , head coach of the Houston Texans

In this fast-paced American culture with so many people driven by the lure of material success, Tony Dungy reminds us what truly matters in the game of life. At the pinnacle of NFL success, he has taken time to show us the value of making memories and not just money, focusing on family instead of fame, and building up a storehouse of eternal wealth that can never be depleted. Dont just read this book; listen to it with the ears of your soul.

PRISCILLA SHIRER , author and speaker, on Quiet Strength

In todays world, where sports figures and movie stars are idolized, Tony Dungy is a true hero because his life is a testimony to the fact that if you do your best and let God do the rest, not only will success follow, but your life will have a positive impact on others. This is the reason I consider Tony a great friend and role model.

BENJAMIN S. CARSON SR. , MD , former professor and director of pediatric neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes

My good friend Tony Dungy has demonstrated in his personal life and in this powerful book that it is possible to be a committed Christian on and off the field and still come out a winner. This insightful work will challenge, encourage, and inspire all who read it to uncompromisingly integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives, so that we, too, will be victorious in spite of the challenges and obstacles that life brings our way.

TONY EVANS , senior pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship; president,
The Urban Alternative, on Quiet Strength

Amid the deafening roar surrounding the machinery of earthly glory, the spiritual man leaves quiet footsteps of inspired faith. Tony Dungys footprints can be traced back to God and family. This foundation has provided him with the love, strength, compassion, and tolerance to fill his earthly run with mans greatest gift and purpose... to be of service to God and his fellow man.

JIM IRSAY , owner of the Indianapolis Colts

In the twenty-one years that Ive known Tony Dungy, I have consistently found him to be a man of integrity, sincerity, and openness. As a man of faith, no matter what trials or tribulations hes faced, he has embodied the Scripture found in Proverbs 16:32: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Dungy has followed the biblical prescription for success. In football and in the game of life, Tony Dungy is a winner.

JAMES BROWN , host of The NFL Today on CBS Sports

Tony Dungy is a world champion in every way. His quiet strength both on and off the field has been an inspiration to millions. His sense of priority is uncommon and uncompromised. His purposeful desire to turn the spotlight off himself and on to Christ is admirable. Even more impressive, however, is the character and dignity he exemplifies when there are no cameras... when there is no spotlight. This is a man of tremendous faith, and he lives it every day of his life. He has inspired me, and Im so thankful for his friendship.

MICHAEL W. SMITH , vocalist and songwriter

For over a decade, Tony Dungy has quietly taught me significant lessons in leadership and in life. Now hes sharing them with you in this thought-provoking book. In Quiet Strength, Tony leads us on a journey that reveals profound principles for living and our ultimate purpose in life.

MARK W. MERRILL , president, Family First and All Pro Dad

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Uncommon Influence: Saying Yes to a Purposeful Life

Copyright 2022 by Tony and Lauren Dungy. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of Lauren & Tony Dungy taken by Stephen Vosloo. Copyright Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

Designed by Julie Chen

Published in association with the literary agency of Legacy, LLC, Winter Park, Florida 32789.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 16:26, quoted in chapter 10, is from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Tyndale House Publishers at , or call 1-800-323-9400.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-4964-5889-6

Build: 2022-07-19 15:13:56 EPUB 3.0

For Laurens late mother, Doris J. Bird Harris.
Her unselfish love and commitment to Kingdom-building provided a beautiful model for us to follow.

As a kid, one of my heroes was the late Tom Landry, legendary head coach of the Dallas Cowboys football team from 1960 to 1988. He led his team to two Super Bowl victories during his time in Dallas and coached his teams to twenty consecutive winning seasonsa staggering record that stands to this day. I grew up in the late 1960s and early 1970s as Coach Landry was setting records and leaving his mark, and I remember the impression that was left on me as I watched him work while living out his faith through it all. I wasnt watching him from a neighboring community or a residence a few states away; I was watching him from my childhood homes in Managua, Nicaragua, and later, Panama City, Panama. And while my genetic makeup meant Id never play in the NFL, I suspected that if I could apply the same discipline, balance, character, and faithfulness to Jesus to my efforts that it seemed Coach Landry applied to his, perhaps I could be a force for good in life like he was. I so admired him that I wrote him a letter when I was in the sixth grade and was shocked when I received a personally signed response. I cherished that piece of paper for years and have kept it to this day.