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Suicide claims life of Coach Dungy's son
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Monday, Dec. 26, 2005 |
TAMPA BAY - James Dungy, 18, son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach and now Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy, was found dead Thursday, Dec. 22.
According to a preliminary autopsy report, Dungy committed suicide.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's office reported that deputies responded to Campus Lodge Apartments in Tampa at about 1:32 a.m. Dec. 22 after receiving a call from the girlfriend of James Dungy who discovered him after returning to the apartment. The first deputy on the scene performed CPR until the fire rescue arrived. Dungy was transported to University Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Dungy's death was felt throughout Tampa Bay and the National Football League.
"I really don't know what to say. All I can say is we're praying for him. It's just awful. I can only pray for him. I can't imagine ... I just can't imagine it. I really feel for him and I know the players do, too. I just wish him the very best," Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden said Dec. 22.
Buccaneers players and staff as well as many of the Colts players, coaches and team officials are expected to attend Dungy's funeral scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz. Visitation was scheduled for Monday, Dec. 26, 5 to 7 p.m., at Wilson's Funeral Home in Tampa.
The family requested in lieu of flowers, people send donations to the Idlewild Central Vision Legacy at 2923 North Tampa Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
Dungy's death will be added to the state's 2005 suicide statistics. Every year, more than 2,000 Floridians die by suicide - more than the number who die by homicide (1,000) and more than those who die from HIV/AIDS (1,700), according to the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition.
People who commit suicide leave behind at least six loved ones or survivors, according to the coalition. Dungy left behind hundreds of survivors - his family, friends and members of two NFL teams with whom he grew up.
Buccaneers full back Mike Alstott is quoted on the Bucs Web site as saying, "I remember he was at my waist, probably a little bit taller than that. I saw him grow like a weed. He was here all the time, day in and day out, hanging out in the locker room, hanging out with the players out on the football field, in the equipment room. It was just when James wasn't here, I was like 'Where's James,' you know. He was a part of this football team."
State Sen. Evelyn Lynn and Rep. Hugh Gibson introduced 2006 legislation that would create a Statewide Office for Suicide Prevention in the Executive Office of the Governor, a Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council, and an interagency workgroup for state agencies to coordinate state agency plans for suicide prevention.
According to information posted at www.floridasuicideprevention.org, "The Suicide Prevention Bill creates the Statewide Office for Suicide Prevention within the Office of Drug Control; provides the goals and objectives of the office; creates the position of coordinator for the statewide office; specifies the education and experience requirements for the position of coordinator; details the duties and responsibilities of the coordinator; authorizes the office to accept grants and funds; creates the Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council within the Office of Drug Control; provides the scope of activities for the coordinating council; creates an interagency workgroup for state agencies within the council to coordinate state agency plans for suicide prevention; authorizes the council to assemble an ad hoc committee to advise the council; provides for membership on and meetings of the council; provides for per diem and travel expenses."
Bonnie McClelland, of Seminole, chapter director of the Suncoast Yellow Ribbon and mother of a son who committed suicide, urges people to support the legislation by asking their senators and representatives to support Senate Bill 1008 and House Bill 527.
McClelland's Web site, www.SuncoastYR.org, has a list of signs that someone may be thinking of committing suicide:
- Abrupt changes in personality
- Giving away possessions
- Previous suicide attempt
- Use of drugs or alcohol
- Change in eating habits
- Change in sleeping pattern
- Unwillingness to communicate
- Depression
- Unusual sadness, discouragement
- Talk of wanting to die
- Running away from home or truancy from school
- Chronic pain
- Rebelliousness, reckless behavior
- Neglect of academic work
- Neglect of personal appearance
- Family disruptions such as divorce, losing loved one
Statistics show suicide was the third leading cause of death among Florida teens (13-19) in 2002. Suicide was also the third leading cause of death in the US during the same period.
For help, call the National Suicide Crisis Line toll-free at (800) 784-2433 (800-SUICIDE).
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Article published on Monday, Dec. 26, 2005
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