Tony Dungy apologizes for controversial cat litter tweet after backlash

INDIANAPOLIS – Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy apologized Saturday for a now-deleted tweet that many called anti-LGBTQ+.

Dungy, who currently works as a football analyst for NBC Sports, came under fire earlier this week after responding to a tweet about a proposed bill in Minnesota that would require the use of menstrual products in boys’ bathrooms in schools.

His tweet spurred a debunked conspiracy theory about transgender and non-binary children. He wrote that some schools had trays in bathrooms for students who self-identified as furries. This myth has been widely debunked, including by PolitiFact last April.

Dungey released an apology on Saturday, saying in part: “As a Christian, I want to be a force of love for all. The power of healing and reconciliation, not enmity.”

Dungy returned to work Saturday helping with NBC’s coverage as the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium.

According to Sports Illustrated, Dungey was scheduled to take part in the pregame and halftime studio coverage of the show with Maria Taylor and fellow analyst Jason Garrett.

Dungy was a former NFL quarterback. His first job as an NFL head coach was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996. He stayed with the Buck for six seasons before being relieved of his duties and subsequently hired by Indianapolis a few days later. He coached the Colts for seven years. Most notably, during this time, he led the team to Super Bowl XLI when the Colts beat the Chicago Bears.

Dangy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.