Tony Dungy opened up with SI's senior writer Albert Breer on his thoughts about the current climate of the world.

Tony Dungy opened up with SI's senior writer Albert Breer on his thoughts about the current climate of the world. Dungy feels that in a time like this, pro athletes do have a responsibility. Some athletes are speaking out and using social media but Dungy expressed not everyone is comfortable and has to contribute in this way.

"Find your own way to make the city we’re in a better place to live". Those were the words Tony Dungy shared with his rookies, a lesson he learned from his time playing in the NFL. 

They're words that have weighed on him as he's watched everything unfold over the last week and a half in our country. 

Tony Dungy opened up with SI's senior writer Albert Breer on his thoughts about the current climate of the world. Dungy feels that in a time like this, pro athletes do have a responsibility. Some athletes are speaking out and using social media but Dungy expressed not everyone is comfortable and has to contribute in this way. 

He also shared the importance of listening during this time and that's something he did in taking guidance and advice from Steelers owner Art Rooney and his father. We all have a sphere of influence and we need to figure out what it is and how we can do our part.

Kaitlin O'Toole is joined by SI's senior writer Albert Breer for more insight on his conversation with Dungy and the steps we can all take to come together and create change, starting within our hearts.

Read Full Transcript Below:

Kaitlin O'Toole: "Find your own way to make the city we're in a better place to live." Those were the words Tony Dungy shared with his rookies, a lesson he learned from his time playing in the NFL. They're words that have weighed on him as he's watched everything unfold over the last week and a half in our country. Joining me now is SI senior writer Albert Breer. Albert, you spoke with Tony Dungy and he feels that in times like these, pro athletes do have a responsibility. What is it that he would like to see athletes do?

Albert Breer: You know, Kaitlin, it's interesting because I think we all focus on the forward-facing responsibility that we feel like these guys have sometimes to say something publicly and there's pressure on them to speak publicly. Dungy did say that he felt like there is a responsibility on athletes to be leaders in their community. But some guys aren't comfortable with speaking publicly. Some guys aren't comfortable with putting themselves out there that way. And so he actually said that it doesn't really matter to him how an athlete contributes just as long as he does his part and finds his sphere of influence, finds where he can make a difference, and then goes in and makes a difference that way. And so some guys are more comfortable being the guys in front who are speaking publicly about important issues like this one. Other people are more comfortable doing their own work behind the scenes without, you know, having television cameras or media or anything else there. And that's fine, too. And so, you know, really, I think for Tony, it was it is a responsibility for guys to make a difference in their community. But, you know, he allowed that everybody has their own way of accomplishing that.

Kaitlin O'Toole: Right. Something he said also was that if you're not speaking, this is a good time to listen. And that's something he did getting guidance from Steelers owner Art Rooney and his father. How did they impact his belief system and how is that now in turn, helping others that are relying on Dungy during this time?

Albert Breer: Sure. Well, let's start with his dad. You know, this is 1968 and a more tumultuous time in America. And what we're experiencing right now, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, who is the leading candidate for the presidency at a time or assassinated within two months of each other. And, you know, some of the more violent protests were breaking out on the other side of the state from Tony Dungy. He grew up 80 miles from Detroit. And, you know, his mother and father addressed him at that time. He is 12 years old and said the most important thing is to have love and respect for everybody around you and to treat people the right way. And if you start their work from there, you'll be OK. So that was one piece of advice he's tried to use going forward. Then the second piece came about nine years later. He's a rookie with the Steelers and Art Rooney, the owner of the team, had a tradition where he would bring the guys in and he had the rookie class after they made the team. So was after the final cut down. Welcome them to the team. Say he's excited to have them and say then tell them part of your job is to make a difference in the community and be a part of this city here. Tony Dungy really took that to heart. His two years with the Steelers, he developed relationships, the Western Penitentiary, a jail that was right there in Pittsburgh near the team's facility and with the Special Olympics. And after he was done in Pittsburgh, he sort of tried to act on Rooney's words for the rest of his life. And he brought that eventually to the time he was the head coach. Having the same sort of meeting with his rookies, both in Tampa and Indianapolis, when he was running those organizations. And so this was really a lifelong thing for him. He's really tried to impart that message on them that they did. The young guys can make a difference. You've got to find your sphere of influence wherever that sphere of influence is, make your difference there, make a difference in your community. It's a really great message at this point, I think, for everybody.

Kaitlin O'Toole: Such a good message is definitely a time that we need change in our country, and Dungy is reminding us that that change can start in our hearts. Albert, thanks so much for your insight on this. I appreciate it.

Albert Breer: All right. Thanks, Kaitlin.