Football enthusiasts recognize Tony Dungy's success as the coach
of the Indianapolis Colts, winner of Super Bowl XLI. But many of
Dungy's fans don't realize that the man himself counts many other
"successes" in his life as the most valuable. Dungy, whose book
QUIET STRENGTH was a New York Times bestseller, now writes
about achieving a life of real significance. The path to this
"uncommon" yet deeply satisfying life is discovered as men learn to
evaluate and then channel their attitudes, ambitions and
allegiances rightly.

In this seven-part text, readers will appreciate Dungy’s
wide sweep of general topics, which include developing your core,
loving your family, lifting your friends and others, living your
full potential, establishing a mission that matters, choosing
influence over image, and living out your faith. Each section opens
with anecdotal stories of football, life and other pertinent
lessons specific to each topic. At the close of every section,
Dungy lists a recapping of main points for a punctuated "take-away"
plan of execution. Written in a no-nonsense style, readers will
find his arguments persuasive and the text easy to comprehend and
simple to start carrying out into day-to-day life.

One of the finest sections and most noteworthy for today's men
(and those young men who are floundering in fatherless homes) is
Dungy's treatise on Establishing a Mission that Matters. Here, men
will find detailed resources on developing a life of substance
(rather than style), setting God-honoring priorities (and keeping
them), being the right man (versus merely doing), following dreams
(despite disappointment and discouragement) and balancing life
(making sure each part of your life gets enough time and
attention).

Dungy has done an excellent job of living out the faith he
espouses, and certainly this is evident by the manner in which this
football legend has used his platform to benefit others. As he
writes, men have multiple platforms from which to make a difference
in the lives of those around them. Yet, all too often, busy men
will use the excuse of "later" when things settle down, when life
isn't so stressful, when the kids are older, etc. When in fact,
when later arrives, the opportunity to invest in someone is long
gone. As Dungy reminds men, "We all have opportunities to be either
‘takers’ or ‘givers.’”

Recounting a time when he was called upon to console a young man
whose fiancée had just died, Dungy understood that horrific
loss personally, from having lost his own son. So, he was able to
give comfort and come alongside another man who felt hopeless.
Dungy tells men that you don't need to be an expert, but you have
to care enough to get involved and make a difference.

Readers of Dungy's underspoken yet power-packing style will
learn how this exceptional man makes his mark on individuals on and
off the football field. Being a football fan is not required for
reading and appreciating this excellent text.