Tony Dungy, an NFL Hall of Fame coach who won a Super Bowl in 2007 with the Indianapolis Colts, has endorsed a former colleague – of sorts – in her race to win a Senate seat in Minnesota.
Dungy came out in support of Michele Tafoya, who is running as a Republican for a seat being vacated by Sen. Tina Smith (D).
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As noted by Outkick, the endorsement makes sense since both worked together for more than 10 years on the NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast, he as an analyst and she as a sideline reporter.
“Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame coach. A man of faith and integrity, @TonyDungy knows winners. Tony and I worked side-by-side for over a decade, and his support means the world to me,” she wrote on X in a post containing a video from Dungy endorsing her.
“He knows what I stand for. He knows why I’m running. And he believes, like I do, that Minnesota deserves strong leadership, not more career politicians,” she wrote.
“I’m grateful, Coach. Let’s get to work.”
“I’ve known Michele Tafoya for over 30 years, and I can tell you this: Michele is the real deal,” Dungy said in the endorsement video.
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“She’s grounded in faith, guided by strong values, and committed to doing what’s right, even when it’s not popular,” he continued.
“Michele and I worked together in broadcasting for over a decade, and what impressed me most about her is her character,” said the former top coach.
“She loves this country, she cares deeply about families and kids, and she knows that leadership means accountability and service,” Dungy continued.
“Michele isn’t a career politician. She’s an independent thinker and a common sense conservative who’s ready to stand up for Minnesota.”
Dungy currently lives in Florida, but he played quarterback for the University of Minnesota. He went on to play defensive back in the NFL, and later, served a stint as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator from 1992 through the 1995 season.
That position served as a gateway to a head coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beginning in 1996.
Since he has ties to Minnesota, his endorsement could lend significant weight to Tafoya’s campaign, even though Adam Schwarze, whom she is running against for the GOP nomination, has received the Republican Party’s endorsement.
“Our state needs principled leadership, and that’s why I support Michele Tafoya for the United States Senate,” Dungy continued in his video.
“I know she’ll represent the people of Minnesota well.”
The runoff is Aug. 21.
In addition to Schwarze, a former US Navy SEAL, Tafoya is running against former NBA player Royce White, retired Navy officer Tom Weiler, and farmer/computer scientist Mark York.
Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame coach. A man of faith and integrity, @TonyDungy knows winners.
Tony and I worked side-by-side for over a decade, and his support means the world to me.
He knows what I stand for. He knows why I’m running. And he believes, like I do, that… pic.twitter.com/DjG2PYRBJu
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) May 26, 2026
The winner of the August primary will be pitted against one of two left-wing Democrats: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan or U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, noted Outkick.
The general election is Nov. 3.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Schwarze had just under 39% of delegate votes on the first ballot, after which he gained ground and won the endorsement with nearly 63% of the vote.
Tafoya came in second with around 32 percent of the vote before vowing to take Schwarz on in August.
Meanwhile, South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds defeated entrepreneur Justin McNeal on Tuesday night in the Republican primary.
Rounds, the former governor of South Dakota, is seeking a third term in the U.S. Senate.
Rounds advances to face off against former South Dakota highway patrolman Julian Beaudion, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Rounds has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who six years ago promised not to endorse Rounds when he dubbed the 2020 race “fair.”
Rounds cosponsored the Save America Act in January of 2026, along with Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Chip Roy.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
