Tony Dungy Steps Away from NBC After 17 Years on NFL Pregame Show: A Heartfelt Goodbye

Tony Dungy, the esteemed NFL Hall of Fame coach, announced via a post on X Thursday morning that he will not be returning to NBC’s long-standing NFL pre-game show, *Football Night in America* (FNIA).

“I have been informed by NBC that I won’t be back with FNIA this fall, and it has given me time to reflect and also to look ahead,” Dungy stated.

“It’s disappointing news, but I want to thank my NBC family for making the last 17 years so special. I’ll have lasting memories of my time there, especially with Rodney Harrison, who has become a tremendous friend.”

Last month, *The Athletic* reported that Dungy would likely be replaced for the upcoming NFL season. The veteran broadcaster had been with NBC since 2009, joining shortly after his tenure as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Dungy led the Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2007, becoming the first Black head coach to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Before his time with the Colts, Dungy served as head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spending six seasons with the team before transitioning to Indianapolis.

In closing his post, Dungy reflected on his uncertainty about the future, saying, “God has always directed me in these moments and while I’m not sure what the next step will be for me—whether it will be in football, in broadcasting, or getting more involved in church and community outreach—I know God has plans for my life and I can’t wait to see them unfold. And I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in the Bible—Romans 8:28. ‘God works all things for His good for those who love the Lord.’”