Jets coach Rex Ryan showed on the first episode of Hard Knocks that he can drop “F” bombs with the best of them. Tony Dungy would like to remind Ryan that just because the show is on HBO, that doesn’t mean he needs to talk like Tony Soprano.
Dungy, who in 13 seasons with the Buccaneers and Colts was one of the most mild-mannered head coaches in NFL history, said on The Dan Patrick Show that he thinks Ryan ought to watch his mouth.
“I’m disappointed with all the profanity,” Dungy said. “I think Rex can make his points without all that.”
Asked if he would hire a coach who talks the way Ryan does, Dungy answered, “I would not. I personally don’t want my players to be around that. I don’t want to be around that. . . . It’s hard for me to be around that, and if I were in charge, no, I wouldn’t hire someone like that. Now, I’ve been around ‘F’ bombs, so it’s not like it’s new. I just don’t think that has to be part of your every-minute, everyday vocabulary to get your point across.”
Dungy thinks NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would be wise to give Ryan a call and ask him to think about how he’s representing the NFL.
“I would hope that he does,” Dungy said of the possibility of Goodell getting involved. “I don’t know that he will or not but I hope that he does because I just don’t think the league needs that. I don’t think our young people need to hear that that’s what’s done to be successful. Because it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Between Dungy and his own mother, Ryan may have been sufficiently chastened that he’ll watch what he says even if he doesn’t hear from Goodell. Or at least save his “F” bombs for when the microphones aren’t around.