Former Bucs Coach Reads to Local Students

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy didn’t read much growing up. Now, he’s hoping to inspire kids to experience what he missed out on.

Through the fall and winter, Dungy and his wife, Lauren, are traveling to elementary schools in Hillsborough County to read to third-graders. They were in Temple Terrace Tuesday to visit and .

“I wasn’t a big reader as a kid, and I think for the boys especially, it’s good to see someone say that it’s important,” Dungy said.

About 50 third-graders were waiting for the Dungys in Temple Terrace Elementary School’s media center. They clapped and cheered when the couple arrived.

“The main reason we came today is to read and encourage you to read,” Tony Dungy told the students.

The Dungys read their book “You Can Be a Friend,” a story about being a good friend and getting to know people without judging them first.

“You Can Be a Friend” follows the Dungys’ first book, “You Can Do It,” which encourages kids to pursue their dreams. The couple told students they are writing eight books total, and the stories are based on situations their family has encountered. Their next book, “The Team Stays Together,” is based on their son getting lost at a football game. It will come out around Christmas.

Temple Terrace third-grader Kendall White, 8, said she likes to read. She has "You Can Do It" at home and said it’s one of her favorites.

“I like that it tells about their family and what goes on,” Kendall said.

Kendall’s mother, Amy White, said Kendall and her 10-year-old brother Dawson read regularly.

“My kids love to read, and they read pretty much every night,” she said.

Tony Dungy began playing football in the NFL in 1977, and became a coach in 1981. He retired in 2009. Through the years, he has been involved in community service, working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action, Mentors for Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, the Prison Crusade Ministry and All Pro Dad.

The Dungys left books with the third-graders and said they hoped the students would take the books home and read them to their parents or have their parents read the books to them. They also left pencils so students could practice their writing.

“We just really believe in education and opening the door to reading,” Lauren Dungy said.