Tony Dungy

Colts' Dungy Expected To Announce Decision Today

Tony Dungy, 52, spent the past week talking with his family, some close friends and trusted coaches in his annual end-of-season custom.

He's still not hinting about his future plans with the Indianapolis Colts.

Dungy, the first black coach to win a Super Bowl, is pondering retirement for a third straight year. As usual, his decision centers on whether he can remain a devoted husband and father while also remaining a devoted coach.
Dungy plans to make an announcement today. But Colts officials didn't want to wait for him to announce his decision before making contingency plans.

On Thursday, team owner Jim Irsay said that assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell would eventually replace Dungy. Team president Bill Polian said Friday the team was prepared to make that transition immediately or next season.

Payton award finalists announced: Hines Ward, Jason Taylor, Jason Witten and Brian Waters were named finalists for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The winner will be announced Feb. 3 at the Super Bowl. The award named for Hall of Famer Walter Payton is the only league award that recognizes community involvement and service, as well as on-field performance.

Ward, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver for the Steelers, established a foundation in 2006 to assist biracial children in South Korea who face discrimination, and hosted eight Korean kids for a weekend in Pittsburgh this season.

Taylor, Miami's leader in career sacks, launched a reading room through his foundation, to address illiteracy among inner-city youth.

Waters, a Chiefs offensive lineman, has volunteered regularly at a youth homeless shelter in Dallas and started a foundation to help children in his hometown of Waxahachie, Texas, as well as Kansas City.

Witten, a Dallas receiver, is headed to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. His foundation provides support and assistance to people affected by domestic violence, and has an annual free football camp in his hometown, Elizabethton, Tenn.

Source: Associated Press