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TechnoratiHe has adopted children, written a best-selling book and has a second in the works. He served on President Bush's Council on Service and Civic Participation, lobbied for the Colts' new stadium and worked with Super Bowl organizers on Indianapolis' two bids.
And he helped expand the fan base in Tampa and Indy, two cities that previously struggled to sell out games.
"It always was with Tony, that he had that magical aspect of leadership," Colts owner Jim Irsay said. "I've always said when hiring a head coach, the No. 1 thing is leadership. It's been an incredible journey with Tony and with Lauren (Dungy's wife) and our families. I can't thank him enough."
Several times, Irsay struggled to get the words out, and even the hard-nosed Polian read from his prepared statement, fearing he would choke up.
He did.
Even Dungy briefly left his stoic demeanor behind, acknowledging his wife told him to bring a box of Kleenex to the news conference.
"I thought I would make it a little farther than the first sentence," he said, drawing laughter.
Friends, players and ex-players from around the league lauded Dungy's contributions to the game.
Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio credited Dungy for leading him into the coaching profession. Warren Sapp, a former player and neighbor of Dungy's, compared the 53-year-old coach to the Rev. Billy Graham. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Dungy taught everyone how to deal with triumph and tragedy with dignity under grace, a reference to his Super Bowl title in 2006 and the death of his son, James, in December 2005.
"The good news is that Coach Dungy may leave football, but what he's really doing is moving his extraordinary influence to other places," Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn said. "Just like he did for me and for countless other players, he will always be able to help teach young men how to be grown and able men."
The move surprised some on Dungy's staff, including receivers coach Clyde Christensen, who said he was 95 percent certain last Friday that Dungy would return for an eighth season in Indy.
Instead, after spending a week pondering retirement, as had become the custom the past five years, Dungy decided he needed more than the occasional commute to Tampa.
"We just felt this was the right time," he said.
So Dungy handed the reins to Caldwell, who has spent the last eight seasons on Dungy's staff.
The succession plan was put in place last year, when Dungy nearly retired. Caldwell's only head coaching experience was at Wake Forest, where he went 26-63 in eight seasons.
But Dungy expects Caldwell to win with the Colts while he pursues greater goals.
"I think I've got a responsibility to be home a little bit more, be available to my family a little bit more and do some things to help make our country better," Dungy said. "I don't know what that is right now, but we'll see."
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