Tony Dungy has retired after a 31-year career in the NFL

Tony Dungy has stepped down as coach of the Indianapolis Colts and retired from American Football.

In 2007 the 53-year-old became the first black coach to win the Super Bowl when he lead the Colts to a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears.

After seven years at Indianapolis Dungy said the time was right to retire.

"I've been blessed to play three years in the NFL and coach for 28 years (in the league). Those 31 years have been fantastic,"

Dungy said that after all the success he had enjoyed over the years, it was disappointing to be leaving on a down note, the Colts having lost 23-17 to San Diego Chargers in this year's play-offs.

"The initial feeling was not to go out like that, my goal was to win the Super Bowl and walk off the field at Tampa where it started," said Dungy, who will be replaced by associate head coach Jim Caldwell

I knew this decision would come at some time, it has been an incredible journey. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay

As a player Dungy won the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while in his coaching career he had success at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the late 1990s and the early part of this decade.

He took over at Indianapolis in 2002 where he won five straight AFC South titles in his seven years as head coach.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said his departure had not been a surprise:

"I knew this decision would come at some time, it has been an incredible journey," he said.

"As an owner you dream about having the kind of relationship with a head coach I have had with Tony."

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