Dungy, United Way team together

Indianapolis Colts' head coach Tony Dungy signs a football for a fan. [Click to enlarge]

TERRE HAUTE -- Although Indianapolis Colts' head coach Tony Dungy arrived in Terre Haute Thursday to start Colts' training camp at Rose-Hulman, one of his first activities upon arriving was to do a localized public service announcement with United Way of the Wabash Valley.

Dungy greeted the United Way staff, including 2008 campaign co-chairs Marla DeHart and Gary Morris, along with a group of children, while performing the public service announcement.

This is the fifth year for taping the commercial, which Dungy called a "tradition."

The segment was shot as part of a long-standing relationship between the United Way and the National Football League. The partnership began in 1973 to "increase public awareness of social service issues facing the country," according to the United Way website.

The commercial asks for people to energize their community by living united and donating to the United Way. It ends with the four children screaming "Go Colts!" in unison.

After performing the public service announcement, Dungy signed autographs, took photos with United Way staffers and posed with children for pictures while signing their Live United T-shirts.

"He's gone above and beyond in the last five years," United Way Executive Director Troy Fears said. "To give up his time and help us out -- we have nothing but good things to say about the Indianapolis Colts coming to town."