Dungy Accepts Rex's Invitation To Visit Jets
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) Rex Ryan smoothed things over with Tony Dungy.
The New York Jets coach spoke with Dungy about his criticism of him during HBO's "Hard Knocks" series. The former NFL coach said that Ryan used too much profanity.
"I wanted him to know how I felt," Ryan said Thursday. "We talked man-to-man. He told me his position and I definitely told him my position. So, it was good."
Ryan was disappointed Wednesday, saying Dungy, a devout Christian, unfairly judged him for his foul language on the television show. Dungy told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Monday that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should talk to Ryan about his excessive cursing.
While Goodell won't be talking to Ryan about his foul language, Dungy will take up the Jets coach's invitation to spend a day with the team later this season.
"He knows some people that I know and there's a lot of positive things being said about me," Ryan said, adding that Dungy spoke to someone close to him. "We'll just leave it at that. Look forward to having him come up and seeing what we're all about."
Ryan said he has never met Dungy, but had coached against him in the past. Dungy, currently an NFL analyst for NBC, won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis and also coached Tampa Bay.
"It was definitely heated," a smiling Ryan said of the conversation. "We just talked man-to-man. It was good."
Ryan's first appearance on "Hard Knocks" last week was criticized by some media and fans for what they thought was an excessive use of profanity. There were a few less foul-mouthed moments in the second episode, which premiered Wednesday night.
Ryan said last week he only cared that he disappointed his mother, Doris, but apologized if he offended "more people than I usually offend." He reiterated Wednesday that he will always be himself - colorful language and all - and "I'm a good person."
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