Updated: August 18, 2010, 12:57 PM ET
Rex Ryan to Dungy: Don't judge me
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By Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.com
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CORTLAND, N.Y. -- New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, criticized by Tony Dungy for cursing on camera, fired back Wednesday, claiming the coach-turned-analyst should watch his own mouth.
"I've been a big admirer of Tony Dungy, and I'm sure a lot of people are, but he unfairly judged me, and that was disappointing to me," Ryan told reporters at training camp.
Ryan said he called Dungy, a studio analyst for NBC, and left a message inviting him to camp anytime to "spend some time with me and the organization, and maybe he'll have a different take on it."
The controversy stems from Ryan's appearance last week on the first episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks," which captured Ryan dropping F-bombs several times in a team meeting. The story grew the following day, when Ryan mentioned that he spoke to his mother, who wasn't happy with his profanity on TV.
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Dungy, in a radio interview this week, criticized Ryan's language, going so far as to say that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should look into the matter.
"I don't know that [Goodell] will or not, but I would hope that he does because I just don't think the league needs that," the former Bucs and Colts coach said. "I don't think our young people need to hear that that's the way it's done to be successful. Because it doesn't have to be that way."
Asked if he objected to Dungy bringing Goodell's name into the controversy, Ryan replied, "Like I said, I'm surprised he judged me."
Ryan added, "I'm always going to be myself. I'm a good person. Just because somebody curses doesn't make him a bad person. Just because a guy doesn't curse doesn't make him a good person. I'll stand by my merits."
Rex Ryan to Dungy: Don't judge me
EmailPrintComments
By Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.com
Archive
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, criticized by Tony Dungy for cursing on camera, fired back Wednesday, claiming the coach-turned-analyst should watch his own mouth.
"I've been a big admirer of Tony Dungy, and I'm sure a lot of people are, but he unfairly judged me, and that was disappointing to me," Ryan told reporters at training camp.
Ryan said he called Dungy, a studio analyst for NBC, and left a message inviting him to camp anytime to "spend some time with me and the organization, and maybe he'll have a different take on it."
The controversy stems from Ryan's appearance last week on the first episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks," which captured Ryan dropping F-bombs several times in a team meeting. The story grew the following day, when Ryan mentioned that he spoke to his mother, who wasn't happy with his profanity on TV.
Jets blog
Looking for more information on the
green and white? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog
Dungy, in a radio interview this week, criticized Ryan's language, going so far as to say that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should look into the matter.
"I don't know that [Goodell] will or not, but I would hope that he does because I just don't think the league needs that," the former Bucs and Colts coach said. "I don't think our young people need to hear that that's the way it's done to be successful. Because it doesn't have to be that way."
Asked if he objected to Dungy bringing Goodell's name into the controversy, Ryan replied, "Like I said, I'm surprised he judged me."
Ryan added, "I'm always going to be myself. I'm a good person. Just because somebody curses doesn't make him a bad person. Just because a guy doesn't curse doesn't make him a good person. I'll stand by my merits."