Tony Dungy, the Hall of Fame NFL coach who won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts, has endorsed Republican Michele Tafoya in her bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota.
Dungy and Tafoya worked together for over a decade as analysts on NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcast. Tafoya is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Democratic incumbent Tina Smith.
The Endorsement
“I’ve known Michele Tafoya for over 30 years, and I can tell you this: Michele is the real deal,” Dungy said in an endorsement video. “She’s grounded in faith, guided by strong values, and committed to doing what’s right, even when it’s not popular.”
Tafoya responded on social media, stating that Dungy’s support “means the world to me.” She emphasized that Dungy knows her values and her reasons for running. “He believes, like I do, that Minnesota deserves strong leadership, not more career politicians,” she wrote.
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
Dungy highlighted Tafoya’s character and independence in the endorsement. “Michele isn’t a career politician. She’s an independent thinker and a common sense conservative who’s ready to stand up for Minnesota,” he said.
Minnesota Connections
Dungy attended the University of Minnesota as a quarterback before playing defensive back in the NFL. He also served as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator from 1992 to 1995, giving him established ties to the state.
The former coach currently resides in Florida but maintains connections to the region through his past roles. His endorsement carries potential weight in the Minnesota political landscape.
The Primary Race
Tafoya faces multiple challengers in the Republican primary, including Adam Schwarze, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who has secured the party’s endorsement. Schwarze earned nearly 63% of delegate votes at the state convention, while Tafoya received approximately 32%.
Other candidates in the primary include former NBA player Royce White, retired Navy officer Tom Weiler, and farmer-computer scientist Mark York. The August primary will determine who faces the Democratic nominee in the general election.
The Democratic primary features Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig as potential nominees.
Related Development
In South Dakota, Republican Sen. Mike Rounds defeated entrepreneur Justin McNeal in the GOP primary on Tuesday. Rounds, seeking a third term, will face Democratic candidate Julian Beaudion, a former state highway patrolman, in the general election.
This story has been updated. CNN’s political team contributed to this report.
