By: Jeff Eisenband -
8/9/2018

Tony Dungy coached his final NFL season in 2008. In the decade since then, along with being part of the NFL on NBC broadcast team, he has become a sort of guru within the NFL players' community. Dungy even published a book in 2010 entitled "The Mentor Leader" and was one of the driving forces in reincorporating Michael Vick to the NFL.

Considering the ongoing national anthem situation in the NFL, Dungy has been turned to for advice inside and outside the players' bubble. When appearing on Fox & Friends on Wednesday morning, Dungy spoke about the situation saying: 

"I know a lot of these young men and they are trying to be a voice for people who don't have a voice, and that's what the Bible tells us to do, so I respect that.

"I respect Jim Brown's position. If I was still coaching, what I would do is tell my players, 'Let's come in and talk, tell me your issues -- what you're upset about, what are some solutions -- and I'll give you 10 minutes of my press conference every week. I'm going to give you a voice, give you a platform.' Maybe not use the three minutes before the game during the national anthem. 
 
"I would stand because I personally think that's the way to go, but I know my dad was in the service, he was in the military. That's why he fought, that's why he enlisted in World War II, to give us the freedom of choice to do what we think is best."

Robert Littal of Black Sports Online noted Fox News used the headline, "National Anthem Outrage" while Dungy was on screen and used only the quote, "I would stand" in the tweet for the video clip.

On Thursday morning, ThePostGame had the opportunity to talk with Tony and Lauren at the NFL Experience in Times Square before the couple read their two new children's books, Austin Plays Fair and Maria Finds Courage to a group of children from Boys & Girls Clubs of New York. We simply asked Tony what he would write as a title, in order to clear up any confusion.
 
"My headline would be, 'The Dungys support the players’ right to be out-front for social change,'" Dungy says. We support any way they want to do it, but the idea is to try to make the situation better. I thought that was a very deceptive headline. I would personally stand, but I supportthose who don’t stand."
 
Dungy went on to discuss why players gravitate toward his mentorship, saying, "I think it's because I really think I try to represent god's point of view and try to talk about things biblically and I think people appreciate that. I'm not taking one side or another or anti-this. I try to give them good sound advice."

Austin Plays Fair and Maria Finds Courage are part of a series of children's books the Dungys will be rolling out together. They are each actually in the books as fictional versions of themselves, and a lucky kid will have the opportunity to win their own role in an upcoming book.

-- Follow Jeff Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband. Like Jeff Eisenband on Facebook.

Tony Dungy, Lauren Dungy, NFL, NFLPA, National Anthem, Protest, Football, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL Experience, Boys & Girls Clubs, Social Change