By RICK HARMON
Coachesaid.com Florida Content Coordinator
Former Buccaneers and Colts coach Tony Dungy may not be on the sideline this season, but he’s far from retired.
The Super Bowl XLI-winning coach with Indianapolis has joined the NBC “Sunday Night in America” crew and was Michael Vick’s mentor during Vick’s time in prison and remains so, helping Vick land a job with the Eagles.
Next week, Dungy will kick off the high school football season with “Tony Dungy’s Red Zone 09,” a seminar airing in more than 400 theaters nationwide.
"High school kids like to go to the movies, and we thought it would be a great way to kick off the football season," Dungy told The Tampa Tribune. "I think we're going to hit some of the things they will be interested in, and they're going to hear those things from the best."
More than 1.2 million student athletes will take the football field this fall -- Dungy’s son, Eric, plays safety for Tampa (Fla.) Plant. With training tips from some of the best players and coaches in the NFL, this event will provide incentive to work hard, eat right, stay focused and develop all of your potential.
“Throughout my coaching career, I have been interested in high school athletes, knowing that this is often their first real sports experience and can shape character qualities for the rest of their lives,” Dungy said. “What you learn while playing sports can be carried over into any career path you take — whether it’s in sports or another profession. We hope this event will impact our next generation of student athletes and inspire them to not only be a better athlete, but also a better person.”
A big part of high school football is knowing how to prepare for college sports and scholarships. “Tony Dungy’s Red Zone 09” will provide answers to questions that many players and parents are asking. With input from one of the nation’s premier college coaches, Southern California’s Pete Carroll, high school players, parents and coaches will get a better understanding of what college coaches are looking for and how to best present a player’s case. It will also help a family determine whether a college football scholarship is a realistic option.
Also joining Dungy in the video seminar are NFL players Peyton Manning, Bob Sanders, Dallas Clark, Adam Vinatieri and others.
"I'm hoping more than anything they come away knowing how fun high school football is," Dungy told The Tampa Tribune, "and how they shouldn't take it for granted. But, also, I want them to get the off-the-field messages."
The seminar will be taped Aug. 24 at the Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Admission is $15 in all theaters. For information, including theaters in your area, go to http://redzonelive.com.
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