Controversial NFL analyst Tony Dungy issues groveling apology for anti-transgender tweet… but NBC bosses opt to KEEP him on the air for their playoff coverage of Jaguars-Chiefs
NBC analyst Tony Dungy has issued a groveling apology after posting a sarcastic tweet that invited a torrent of abuse of the transgender community on social media.
The controversial former NFL coach-turned-TV star responded to a Daily Wire video about plans to put menstrual products in boys’ school bathrooms because ‘not all students who menstruate are female’.
In response, Dungy posted a tweet which read: ‘That’s nothing. Some school districts are putting litter boxes in the school bathrooms for the students who identify as cats. Very important to address every student’s needs.’
Tony Dungy, pictured at a rally in Washington on Friday, has apologized for the controversial tweet
Dungy responded to a video from Daily Wire discussing the possibility of menstrual products being required in boys’ school bathrooms going forward
In his tweet, which sparked huge controversy, he joked that schools are also adding litter boxes
The tweet sparked a huge reaction, with some users slamming Dungy, while others used it to spread anti-transgender rhetoric across social media.
Now, three days later, Dungy has said he is ‘deeply sorry’ for his now-deleted post, admitting he ‘responded to it in the wrong way.’
The full apology reads: ‘This past week I posted a tweet that I subsequently deleted. I issued an apology but not everyone saw it. So I am reposting my apology here.
‘As a Christian I want to be a force for love to everyone. A force for healing and reconciliation-not for animosity.
“I saw a tweet yesterday and I responded to it in the wrong way. As a Christian I should speak in love and in ways that are caring and helpful. I failed to do that and I am deeply sorry.”
Despite the controversial tweet, Dungy appeared on NBC as part of its analyst team Saturday
Dungy’s apology included him admitting he responded ‘in the wrong way’ to the initial tweet
Despite the widespread public outrage, Dungy will still be on the air for NBC’s NFL playoff coverage on Saturday, with bosses opting to keep him on the slate.
Dungy has previously caused controversy with his views on abortion, and yesterday he spoke at a pro-life rally in Washington.
In his speech, he used the cardiac arrest of Damar Hamlin and America’s shocked reaction to make a point about abortion, telling crowds: ‘Every day in this country, innocent lives are at stake. The only difference is they don’t belong to a famous athlete, and they’re not seen on national TV.’
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