TONY DUNGY IS MORE THAN A FOOTBALL GUY

Tony Dungy turns 68 years old today.  He is one of my favorite people that I've had a chance to meet in my  sports career.  Back in the day he joined my national radio show every week during football season over several years.  Eventually I met him in person because of that work relationship.  I've always admired him, but not because he was an NFL coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts.  Not because he was the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl either.  I admire him to this day because of the way he lives his faith.  He coached the way he lived.  He never screamed.  The man never swore.  He simply taught.  He was the embodiment of someone who put faith and family above work.  How many people can honestly say they do that?

I will share this personal story with you.  As I mentioned, he joined my radio show for a weekly segment.  But back in 2005, one of his children took his life.  During what had to be the lowest point of his life, he still came on my show that week.  It surely would have been understandable for him to have cancelled.  However, he wanted to use the tragedy in his life, combined with his standing as a public figure, to use that opportunity to talk about his faith and teach others how that faith would get him through his troubles.

Think about that as you watch him on NBC Sunday night on Football Night in America.

-Craig Shemon

ESPN Southwest Florida

Inflation is everywhere, you can't hide from it. Here in Florida gas prices are once again inching up to 4 dollars a gallon. I just want to go to a game, have a few drinks, and leave the real world behind for a few hours. But, we need to maintain a budget. That's why you should always pregame. I saw that an Eagles fan showed up in the parking lot at 4:30 am for an 8:15 pm kickoff. That's some absolute dedication there. Did someone track that guy down to see if he was still conscious come game time? I admire you, sir. I'm guessing if this guy could still function at an NFL game, he was unfazed by the price of beer in the stadium.

So, you got a couple in you, and you're ready to head into the stadium. That's where I miss the old days of cash. With cash, you knew how much you had, and that's what you spent. Credit cards can get out of hand. We took a bus from Naples, Florida to a Dolphins game and I was pretty drunk before I got to Hard Rock in Miami. I still managed to spend over $200 in drinks.

I realize the way we rank 'em can be a bit controversial. Last year, Fox5 in Washington, DC was upset at me because the Commanders had the most expensive beer and I called them out for it. Their cheapest beer was $16. More than triple some of the others. I publicly shamed Fed Ex Field, the home of the Washington Commanders for having the most expensive-lowest priced beer in the NFL. Less than a year later, Dan Snyder sold the team. And guess what? There's now cheaper beer prices at Fed Ex Field. YOU'RE WELCOME, WASHINGTON (and your team is much better this year, too).

This year, bookies.com collected the necessary data. They reached out to teams and used other local sources, then took beer prices and converted them all to 16-ounce size. So this year it's an apples to apple thing. How much is 16 oz of beer? I guess Los Angeles is gonna be mad at me this year, so here goes...

So Fi Stadium is on top of the list this year at $13.75 for a beer at a Rams game. Take notice, that at least this is less than what they were charging for the College Football Playoffs earlier this year. It was $17 for a Modelo. The Rams had low expectations entering the season, but have started off stronger than most thought.

The fans have noted that So Fi is definitely pricey. That $13.75 a beer might be too low. A 'good' beer is around $20. The Chargers seemingly always get the ball down 1 score in the final 2 minutes of the game. Some fans need that beer at $13.75 to calm the nerves week in and week out.

It's $13 for a domestic draft. That's probably a 20 oz, which is why we have $12/16 oz. The 8 dollars the charge for a hot dog? That's a crime. As long as Baker and the Bucs keep winning, fans will be fine paying this much for a beer.

This team looks like a Super Bowl contender. Number 4 on the beer price list. I'm curious what the wine selection is with Napa Valley just around the corner. On the field the 49ers are a juggernaut even though there are still question marks around Brock Purdy.

Again, that price is 16 oz of draft. You want a can of Mich Ultra? $15. The Jags are finally a team with high expectations, and in a recent poll most residents are fine if the team relocates.

$15 for a large beer, but you gotta look for the specials. Found one even cheaper than the reported $11.50 in a preseason game - $10.49 for a domestic can. The Saints offensively have been difficult to watch at times, but wins are wins. And the Saints are winning football games.

This must be a special deal somewhere. I've never heard of anyone being happy about beer prices at the Linc. But maybe that's a good thing considering the reputation of the Philadelphia sports fan. The Eagles can charge whatever they want for beer as long as the team remains a Super Bowl contender.

Looks like a can of beer is $15. Soldier Field is one of the few places you need a coozie to keep your beer from freezing. Right now Bears fans aren't complaining about beer prices. Mainly because there are serious questions around Justin Fields.

$14 for a beer seems to be the norm. Probably a 20 oz and if you do the math, there you go. The Titans figure to play close, low-scoring games throughout 2023. If Ryan Tannehill throws 3 picks in a game at home, the fans might need something harder than beer.

Someone tell me if you can find a $10 beer at Allegiant. 1 domestic beer at Allegiant Stadium is $19. The Raiders had low expectations coming into 2023, but so far Jimmy G has shown the ability to keep Las Vegas in games against the bottom half of the NFL. 

Another spot where your beer may freeze before you finish it. I do love the little 'markets' they have set up to help avoid lines. Steelers Nation was optimistic about Kenny Pickett and the offense entering the season. Those opinions have changed after the slow offensive start. Is it Matt Canada? Is it Kenny Pickett? Or is it the offensive line? No matter who's to blame, Mike Tomlin needs to get it figured out.

What looks to be about a 24 oz beer is $15, so the math checks out. Unfortunately with those clear plastic cups that beer gets warm - fast. Bryce Young has had a tough start to his career and is already injured. There were questions about his size coming into the league, and those questions are now only getting louder.

Not sure where this is at Lumen Field. Most beers are $15. Maybe there's a draft special somewhere? Geno Smith looked like he regressed to his pre-2022 form in week 1. As Geno goes, this offense goes. Playoff hopes remain in play for the 12th man.

$12 gets you a 20 oz draft, so this one checks out. That's if you can find it. Otherwise be ready for $16 for a can. Has any team started 2023 more impressively than the Cowboys? Dak has not turned the ball over, and the Cowboys offense looks awesome. Let's see how Travon Diggs' ACL injury effects the defense.

Yes, you can get a beer at Lambeau Field for around $10, but you need to drink it fast. It'll either freeze or the Packers will score a touchdown and you'll need to throw it. The Jordan Love era looks different than the Favre-Rodgers 30 year run. But this defense is legit and will keep them in a ton of football games.

Bills fans are also required (it seems) to throw that beer on any fan wearing the opposing team's jersey. So, it adds up. Josh Allen has got to get the turnovers out of his game. That and the rushing attack are the two biggest question marks with this offense.

The local sports talk station once held a poll asking fans if they were willing to pay an extra dollar a beer to help pay for Mahomes' contract. Overwhelmingly, they said yes. And how about the Chiefs defense?! Chris Jones or not, that unit has showed up this season. The offense can explode at any moment as long at 15 and 87 are on the field. Although the offensive line needs to improve.

A $10 beer that's bigger than a 16 oz. So we get $8.75  I dunno. Math. Last year's list had them at $6.50. on the field Lamar and the new look offense have looked really good. Zay Flowers is a name to remember. Defensively they are thin on the back end, but as the offense gets more comfortable they will rely on that unit to win games.

That new Beer Hall looks pretty sweet. probably more than $8.40 there, though. What is Mac Jones? He's looked solid to start the season, but the offense as a whole lacks explosion. I don't know if that's on Jones, Bill O'Brien, or Bill Belichick for not surrounding Mac with enough game changing weapons.

Last year was $6.50, but I don't think the team has gotten better. I think beer prices should coincide with wins. Last year a can of beer was $13. Jonathan Gannon's tenure started... strange. He's awkward at press conference and the clips the team puts out paint him in the same light. There are issues with the roster, but they're playing hard for their coach which is all that matter.

I'm hearing that $13 is the norm. Maybe there's a secret location for the $8 16 oz drafts? Finding the cheap beer might be a priority for Broncos fans (Let's Ride) if Russell Wilson continues to blow leads. The defense has taken a big step back from their form in 2022. There are real issues in Denver.

I saw a tweet where someone said they got a beer for $7 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Those midwest stadiums are the best. And while we're on the Colts, can they please try to keep Anthony Richardson healthy. The guy is electric on the field and makes Colts football much more watchable.

Can't just get a beer here, need a bucket of cheese curds to go with. Skol ! On the field the Vikings seem like they're in a bit of a transition. It's the final year Kirk Cousins is under contract, and discussions between the team and Justin Jefferson about a contract extension has not gone well according to reports.

Fuel for the Dawg Pound. Joe's dad is a Browns fan. It's been a difficult time for him. Nick Chubb is done for the season, which means their success relies on the right arm of Deshaun Watson... oh boy. Defensively the team is very good.

One of the very few stadiums that post their prices online. Because they are that good. $2 hot dog, $3 nachos, and 12 oz beers are just $5. The Falcons have been one of the bigger surprises in the NFL this season. The team is young and very physical. I wonder if Desmond Ridder can take the next step and really unlock Kyle Pitts and Drake London.

https://www.mercedesbenzstadium.com/menus/atl-fan-fare

That's all it took? You get rid of Snyder and you go from the highest beer price to one of the lowest? That's the pregame price, but still - huge improvement. Nice work. Sam Howell and Eric Bieniemy look to be a good partnership for the Commanders. And the defense can get after the quarterback if the offense can give them leads.

They were listed at $5.27 last year. $6.60 this year although I've not seen anything less than $11. It's feeling like the 2023 season is going to come down to Joe Burrow's calf and how it recovers. I think the offense will get it figured out. The defense needs to improve.

Last year they were at $6 and people were yelling saying that there's no way. So here's some guy that's from there to tell you that yes. There is. At least there was last year. The Texans are putting the ball in CJ Stroud's hand, and he is protecting it. This team will improve throughout the year under 1st year coach DeMeco Ryans.

Did they just raise it because the team is better this year? The research says $5, but now the website says $5.99. Either way, still a good price. The Lions are turning into the Chargers of the NFC. They seemingly always play close games, and add unneeded stress to Lions fans lives.

https://www.fordfield.com/value

This data says $5 for a beer and $4 for a hot dog, but I swear I spent over $200 last time I was there. I should probably ease back on the pregaming. Miami's offense is one of, if not the best offense in the league. Defensively the results have been up and down under Vic Fangio.

I'm told there's a 12 oz value beer for $5 but a 16 oz domestic in the aluminum is $13. A Met Life representative gave out this info late last year. This offense is once again boring to watch. Each series comes down to Daniel Jones' ability to pick up a 1st down with his legs. I still think they have one of the best head coaches in the NFL.

Hot Dog: $7 • 12 oz. Value Beer: $5 • 16 oz. Domestic Aluminum: $13 • 16 oz. Premium Can: $14 • 12 oz. Craft Beer: $14

That $5 value beer isn't gonna take the edge off of losing Aaron Rodgers at the absolute beginning of the season. Here's a poll to start. Would everyone chip in an extra dollar per beer to get rid of the turf and buy some actual grass? I feel bad for Jets fans. Aaron Rodgers was the savior coming into the season- unfortunately that lasted 4 plays. The rest of the roster is ready to win now. Zach WIlson is just not the guy to take them where they want to go.