Winning Isn’t Everything—Jesus Is: Tony Dungy and Sam Acho

We live in a world where achievement is largely used as a motivator, and much of our time is spent consumed, looking for the next win—whether it be personally or professionally. It would benefit each of us to remember that in the long term, the ultimate win for us is establishing a relationship with Christ. Tony Dungy, the first African-American head coach to win an NFL Super Bowl, learned from mentors early on in his career that football wasn’t all that mattered—what mattered was the kind of man he was and the kind of men he shaped. A trailblazer, Dungy found a way to coach that aligned with his Christian values, showing the world that you can hold strong to your beliefs and find value in who Christ says you are, rather than who the world wants you to be. NFL linebacker and author Sam Acho grew up in a faith-based home, forming a relationship with God early on. But as he got more integrated in his career, Sam began to separate from his foundational values, and he suffered an identity crisis—he looked happy on the outside, but he didn’t feel it on the inside. It wasn’t until he went through a reckoning of sorts that Sam realized God believed he was worth getting to know, and when he started placing value on what really matters, things started to turn around.

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling 

Jesus Calling Podcast

Winter 2021 Jesus Calling Magazine

JesusCalling.com/magazine

Jesus Calling for First Responders editions

Past interviews: Lolo Jones and Evander Holyfield

Upcoming interview: Tana Amen

 

Coach Tony Dungy

All Pro Dad

National Football League

NBC’s Football Night in America

Sunday Night Football

Matthew 16:26

University of Minnesota

Steelers

Chuck Noll

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Spelman College

Super Bowl LII

 

Sam Acho 

Let the World See You

Dallas Theological Seminary

Living Hope Bible Fellowship Church

Reggie Bush

Matt Leinart

Pete Carroll

Rivals

Brian Orakpo

Chris Ogbonnaya

Emmanuel Acho

Hebrews 11:1

 

Interview Quotes:

“Welcome to the National Football League. You're now getting paid to play football, so that makes it your profession. But please, please don't make football your whole life.” - Chuck Noll, to Tony Dungy

“I made a decision I was going to be different. And not everybody was ready for that.” - Tony Dungy

“You can honor the Lord and you can be openly expressive about your faith and still be excellent.” - Tony Dungy

“God takes you through things and you grow from them and then you look back and say, ‘Oh, that wasn't that big a deal.’ But at the time, it was monumental. God is giving you little trials to get you through, but you're going to keep your focus on Him.” - Tony Dungy

“Christ is so much a part of my life that if I can just help steer someone else, anyone towards Jesus, it's very important. Truth always wins. And we can't be afraid of sharing the truth.” - Tony Dungy

“We were created for relationship, we were created to love.” - Sam Acho

“You are worth getting to know. Your pains, your joys, your fears, your hurts, all of you. You're worth getting to know. Why? Because you're already fully seen, fully known and fully loved by Jesus.” - Sam Acho

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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel:

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