Tony Dungy Says Faith Led Him to Speak Out for the Unborn – Despite NBC Concerns

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Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy says in a new interview that NBC executives were uneasy about his decision to speak at the 2023 March for Life, but he felt compelled to take a stand on a biblical issue – even if it meant putting his career at risk.

The Super Bowl–winning coach shared his thoughts in a new interview with Benjamin Watson, who asked Tony Dungy to reflect on the controversy surrounding the issue and his decision to speak openly about the unborn on a national stage. Dungy made the comments on Watson’s podcast, The Just Life.

At the time, in 2023, Dungy was working as a football analyst for NBC Sports.

“And I thought to myself, ‘Wait a minute. Am I a Christian all the time, or am I a Christian only when people think it's a good thing to do?’ I have to represent the Lord,” Dungy said.

Watson interviewed Dungy during Super Bowl week this year, and before NBC Sports announced it would not retain him for the 2026–27 season.

The NBC executives were concerned. But what @TonyDungy’s daughter heard that day was worth the pushback and threats.

New Episode of The Just Life streaming now:
🎧 Apple/Spotify
📺 YouTube #adoption #justice pic.twitter.com/JUXIeAZryD

— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 31, 2026

Dungy spoke at the March for Life on Jan. 20, 2023 – exactly one day prior to NBC’s broadcast of the Kansas City-Jacksonville Divisional Playoff game. The March for Life is an annual event where thousands of pro-life Americans rally in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the protection of unborn life.

“When they asked me about speaking out for that – it was a no-brainer, ‘Absolutely, I'll do it.’ I didn't realize how divisive that was,” he said.

Dungy spoke at the rally, telling the crowd that the nation’s response to Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest revealed a powerful truth about the value of human life, noting how people across the country spontaneously turned to prayer when his life was in danger. He asserted that the same urgency and compassion should extend to the unborn.

The pushback against his appearance “caught me totally by surprise,” he said.

“So many people were writing in to NBC, ‘How can you have this guy on TV?’ The NBC executives were very concerned,” Dungy said.

But Dungy said he was encouraged by the support of pro-life Americans – and by his conviction that his stance aligned with Scripture.

“We have adopted eight babies. And one of the high points of that March [was that] one of my daughters was with us – she's adopted, and she was there hearing these talks about how life is precious and ‘thank-you to the moms who made that decision not to have abortions.’ And she's thinking about that and saying, ‘I could have been one of those so-called choices, and I could not be here today.’ And she was so moved by it, and it was so powerful.”

Dungy ultimately decided it was worth standing up publicly for the unborn, even if it cost him his job.

“And I just thought: I'm sorry, I have to go by the Bible. I have to go by God's Word. And that's the measuring stick for me.”

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Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Tony Dungy

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. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.