After 13 years, TONY DUNGY – the first African-American Head Coach to ever win a Superbowl – has retired. 

“I’m at a point, kind of like the Apostle Paul,” explained Dungy, “he said, ‘If I live, it’s good. If I die and go home with the Lord, it’s better.’”

Though Dungy’s, 53’s decision to retire was somewhat expected, it is still bittersweet. The Indianpolis Colts front office had expressed the desire to have Dungy back but owner Jim Irsay was careful to respect Dungy’s privacy and awaited his decision.

Finally word came on Saturday after the two friends sat down to discuss the teams future. 

For Dungy, deciding to walk away is more than sour grapes over a tough year – including a season-ending loss to San Diego. No, for the Tampa native this decision was a question of faith. 

“After the San Diego game, I was so disappointed with the loss, I couldn’t figure out why — really just questioned it,” Dungy said, speaking again in terms of faith. “Then on Monday, we discovered that Jordan needed this surgery as soon as possible. As difficult as it may seem to accept [for others], it just showed me how the Lord works in my life.”

Dungy has been very vocal in recent years about his own faith and has spoken opening about wanting to spend more time with his family – particularly his children. 

“This is a tough choice … it just may be time to have more balance in my life.”