Shit. During the brightest year of his career, this. His son was 18 years old. He was found dead at a dorm in my alma mater here in Tampa. No idea what happened, news reports just say he was found by his girlfriend. Tony Dungy is not our local coach, anymore, but he’s beloved in this community for being a damned fine man. Regardless this is something no parent should ever have to bear. My thoughts and sympathies go out to his family.
I was horrified when I found out about it this morning.
Here is a link to the coverage from The Indianapolis Star (which probably isn’t much different.)
During a statement made at a press conference today, Bill Polian (team president) said, “Tony made it clear to both myself and to Jim that he wished for the organization and the team to carry on, and we will.” The team will be playing on Saturday.
I can’t even begin to imagine the loss they are feeling. My thoughts & prayers go out to the whole Dungy family.
The most recent update, at my link, says it’s an apparent suicide.
I didn’t see that. I thought it said the same thing the Star did, that it wasn’t foul play, but cause of death is pending autopsy.
Whether it was a sudden health problem, accidental OD (which I doubt), or suicide…it sucks. 
Maybe it’s because I’m a new father, but this really shook me for several hours this morning, much moreso than a “young son of famous person X died today” ever did before. Absolutely tragic. All my best thoughts and sympathies go out to the Dungy family today, and my hopes that they’ll still be able to find some spots of joy this holiday season.
This was the lead story in local news when I got home. One of the longest stories I’ve ever seen on the channel. Apparently James had overdosed previously and had been Baker Act’ed. He left a note on his MySpace site that people wouldn’t be able to talk to him anymore. Poor kid.
Baker Acted? What’s that mean?
Short answer: If you are a threat to your own safety because your current mental state - be it induced by drugs, depression, chemical imbalance, retardation, or all of the above - you can be placed into protective custody and temporarily detained against your will while psychiatric officials diagnos you.
Indianapolis Star:
Team, city grieve with father figure of a coach - Bob Kravitz
St. Petersburg Times:
An enormous test of a man - Gary Shelton
Tampa Tribune:
No Answers, Only Holes in Hearts - Martin Fennelly
The Bucs react to James Dungy’s death.
May God help you in your time of need, Tony.