TheCrystalBall
March 23rd, 2007, 2:23:31 PM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Tony Dungy is a deeply religious man who puts his faith first in his life, even above family and football. So his support of a proposed gay-marriage ban likely surprised few.
Dungy said his comments should not be considered gay bashing.
"We're not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we're trying to promote the family -- family values the Lord's way," Dungy said.
Smith said he was unaware Dungy, who received the award because of his pro-family ethic, not for his views on public policy, would address the issue.
The resolution's sponsor, Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Monticello, said Dungy's endorsement made the proposal more credible.
"I certainly appreciate him being able to step forward and speak out strongly in his beliefs," Hershman said. "I don't think that anybody should criticize him for exercising his First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen in support of some deeply held beliefs."
Smith said he was unaware Dungy, who received the award because of his pro-family ethic, not for his views on public policy, would address the issue.
The resolution's sponsor, Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Monticello, said Dungy's endorsement made the proposal more credible.
"I certainly appreciate him being able to step forward and speak out strongly in his beliefs," Hershman said. "I don't think that anybody should criticize him for exercising his First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen in support of some deeply held beliefs."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/03/22/dungy.speech.ap/index.html
Dungy said his comments should not be considered gay bashing.
"We're not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we're trying to promote the family -- family values the Lord's way," Dungy said.
Smith said he was unaware Dungy, who received the award because of his pro-family ethic, not for his views on public policy, would address the issue.
The resolution's sponsor, Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Monticello, said Dungy's endorsement made the proposal more credible.
"I certainly appreciate him being able to step forward and speak out strongly in his beliefs," Hershman said. "I don't think that anybody should criticize him for exercising his First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen in support of some deeply held beliefs."
Smith said he was unaware Dungy, who received the award because of his pro-family ethic, not for his views on public policy, would address the issue.
The resolution's sponsor, Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Monticello, said Dungy's endorsement made the proposal more credible.
"I certainly appreciate him being able to step forward and speak out strongly in his beliefs," Hershman said. "I don't think that anybody should criticize him for exercising his First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen in support of some deeply held beliefs."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/03/22/dungy.speech.ap/index.html