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University of Minnesota Athletics
Camp Blog: An Uncommon Visitor
8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
The University of Minnesota footall family welcomed back one of its all-time greats Friday. Former Gopher quarterback and Super Bowl champion head coach Tony Dungy was on campus. He toured TCF Bank Stadium and spent time talking with both the Minnesota coaching staff and the Gopher student-athletes.
Dungy said there were many reasons why this trip to the University of Minnesota was special. But for him, getting to speak to a groupf of football players who are going through many of the same experiences he did during his time on campus was the most special.
"It was great in a lot of ways," Dungy said of his trip to campus. "I got to come and see the stadium. It was unbelievable. I got a chance to visit with Coach Brewster and his staff. But more than anything, speaking to the players. To me, it brought back memories of me being in that seat 30 years ago."
A video of Coach Dungy interacting with some of the Golden Gophers and more comments about his trip to campus can be seen below. The video also includes reaction from a handful of players.
Dungy a full hour speaking to the team between Friday's two practice sessions. There was a palpable feel of excitement when the team exited the meeting room where Coach Dungy had spoken to them.
"We're really fortunate to have a guy like Tony Dungy come talk to us," offensive lineman Dom Alford said minutes after Dungy's talk. "A couple guys were really star-struck at first. That's Tony Dungy, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, ya know? But being able to see him in person and hear his message was a real good opportunity."
Defensive tackle Garrett Brown was impressed as well.
"It's an honor (for us) that he was able to come back," Brown said. "We're very, very happy that he was able to take the time out of his busy schedule to come and talk to us."
Coach Dungy also talked to us about head coach Tim Brewster and where he sees the program headed. He was very complimentary of the Gophers' head man.
"We have known each other from competing in the (NFL)," Dungy said. "He was at Denver when I was at Indianapolis. They (Denver) knew what it was like getting to Super Bowls. I think he's going to bring that same attitude here ... not settling for second-best, but reaching for the brass ring. He's taken an aggressive recruiting approach. I like what he's doing with discipline. I think the sky's going to be the limit."
As for practice Friday morning, the Gophers were in full pads and worked out indoors for the first 30 minutes or so, before moving outside. Friday afternoon, the team was in spider pads and moved over to TCF Bank Stadium for their final practice before Saturday's Gopher Game Day Preview. Kickoff Saturday is set for 3 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium. Premium seating gates open at 1 p.m. and the remainder of the gates will be open at 1:30 p.m.
See you at TCF Bank Stadium tomorrow afternoon ...
-Andy Seeley
