On February 4th, an NFL first will also become a proud moment in African American history two Black coaches will take the field with their teams to compete in the Superbowl, guaranteeing an African American coach claims the winning spot. This scenario was only a hope when friends and former colleagues Herm Edwards, Tony Dungy, and Lovie Smith met for dinner before the wildcard playoff games. Their hope became a dream come true. Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith represent two of only six African American head coaches in the NFL.

Lovie Smith began his professional coaching career in 1996 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a linebacker coachand while there worked closely with Tony Dungy. The Chicago Bears hired Smith in 2004, and with the teams dramatic rise in rank came an Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award for Smith in 2005. Although criticism of key decisions was soon to follow, Smith once again prevailed with a 133 record for the 2006 season.

On January 21st, Smith became the first African American coach to lead his team to the Superbowl literally hours before former mentor Dungy became the second. A sturdy leader, Smith is also a wonderful role model, supporting the American Diabetes Association, providing tickets for Bears games to children suffering with Diabetes, and donating to college tuition funds through his own Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation.

While Smith warmed in the sun rays of Florida, Dungy began his coaching career in layers at the University of Minnesota in 1980. From there, he entered the NFL coaching scene in 1981 as an assistant coach to the Steelers. It was thought that he would become the first African American head coach. But after Tony Dungy reached the then glass ceiling of coaching for African Americans, defensive coordinator, he was repeatedly denied interviews for head coaching positions. Accepting defensive coaching and coordinating positions with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings, Dungy finally received his due when he was asked to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995. Although he coached his team to the playoffs three times and a division title in 1999, Dungy was fired by the Buccaneers in 2001. But when one door closes, another one opens. Dungy became head coach of the Indianapolis Colts on January 22, 2002.

On Sunday, January 21, history was made when Dungy led his team to victory in a playoff game versus the New England Patriots, securing their position against the Chicago Bears, yet another team led by an AfricanAmerican coach, Lovie Smith.
Many may look to the 2002 Rooney Rule as a factor in this years Superbowl result. Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chairman for the NFL committee on workplace diversity, has earned credit for diversifying the NFL with this rule which requires all NFL teams to interview minority candidates for coaching jobs. However, Coach Dungy was the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to 2002 and had already proven himself with a long career.
Football fans will have much to be proud of when Smith with his Bears and Dungy with his Colts take to the field this Sunday. African Americans specifically can also stand tall. These are two Black men who are making headlines for positives which touch not only our community but the nation at large. We say good luck to youand well done.