OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
Super Bowl champion head coach Tony Dungy called out ESPN’s “SportsCenter” for whitewashing Coco Gauff during her victory at the U.S. Open.
“SportsCenter” claimed the tennis superstar “took a moment to soak it all in after winning her first Grand Slam title.”
Dungy noted that she was obviously praying and displaying her Christian faith.
I hate to break this to you SportsCenter but Coco Gauff was not “soaking it all in” at this moment. She was praying. She has been very open about her Christian faith in the past. It seems pretty obvious what she is doing here. https://t.co/UOZ6zoCEPC
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) September 10, 2023
“I hate to break this to you SportsCenter but Coco Gauff was not ‘soaking it all in’ at this moment. She was praying,” the NFL legend said.
“She has been very open about her Christian faith in the past. It seems pretty obvious what she is doing here,” Dungy wrote.
Speaking about her faith, Gauff previously said, “Oh my goodness. It means so much to me. I feel like I’m a little bit in shock in this moment.”
Superbowl head coach Tony Dungy corrects ‘SportsCenter’ analysis of Coco Gauff reaction: ‘She was praying’ https://t.co/o0ZB4aBdMt pic.twitter.com/Y0dPPKD7FH
— New York Post (@nypost) September 11, 2023
“That French Open loss was a heartbreak for me. I realized God puts you through tribulations and trials. This makes this moment even more sweeter than I could imagine.”
“I don’t pray for results. I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all.”
“Whatever happens, happens. I’m so blessed in this life. I’m just thankful for this moment. I don’t have any words for it, to be honest.”
Gauff is the youngest American to ever win a US Open since Serena Williams did so at age 19 in 2001.