What did Tony Dungy say that got him trending on Twitter?

Tony Dungy’s recent comments sparked debate and got him trending on Twitter.

On Friday, former NFL coach and current NFL analyst for NBC, Tony Dungy, was trending on Twitter for some comments he made.

The comments were made at a pro-life rally in Washington D.C. called the March for Life.

Why is Tony Dungy trending on Twitter?

Tony Dungy gave a speech at March for Life in Washington D.C. He was accompanied by former NFL player Benjamin Watson who is pro-life and helped produced an anti-abortion documentary.

Part of Dungy’s speech contrasting the public response to Hamlin’s heart attack and abortion rights was honed in on by people on Twitter. Here is that small portion of his speech:

"“Damar is recovering now. He’s home, he’s been released from the hospital. But what’s the lesson in that? You know, an unbelievable thing happened that night, a professional football game with millions of dollars of ticket money and advertising money on the line, that game was canceled. Why? Because a life was at stake. And people wanted to see that life saved. Even people who aren’t necessarily religious got together and called on God. Well, that should be encouraging to us because that’s exactly why we’re here today. Because every day in this country innocent lives are at stake. And the only difference is they don’t belong to a famous athlete and they’re not seen on national TV. But those lives are still important to God and in God’s eyes.”"

The subject matter of the rally is highly divisive to begin with, so involving Damar Hamlin’s injury to propel the narrative was, to some, crossing a line. Others came to Dungy’s support.

Who is Tony Dungy?

Tony Dungy is a longtime NFL coach and pro football analyst. He coached from 1996 to 2008, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. He has a record of 139-69, is a Super Bowl Champion, a Hall of Famer, and won coach of the year in 2005.

Dungy was a defensive back for three years in the late 70s for the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers, starting in nine of the 45 games he appeared in.