TAMPA, Fla. - The steady stream of mourners came from various walks of life. Athletes, coaches, educators, civic leaders, politicians - even well-wishers off the street.

With handshakes and hugs, Tony Dungy and his wife greeted them all.

The Dungys took more than three hours to individually thank the hundreds of people for standing in line Monday night to pay their respects to the Dungys' eldest son, James, who was found dead in his apartment last week of an apparent suicide.

NFL players past and present stopped by the tiny funeral home chapel to offer the couple their condolences. Some grievers waited hours to get inside and emerged wiping away tears and shaking their heads.

"He's got some strength," self-described coach Dungy fan Katherine Palmer said, emphasizing each word.

In fact, she said, the Indianapolis Colts coach, revered in this city as much more than someone who wins football games, seemed to be comforting well-wishers instead of the other way around.

"I don't know how he does it. It's got to be faith," Palmer added. "He's an inspiration for everyone."

The Dungys will bury 18-year-old James after a funeral service today. Tony Dungy left the team Thursday, and it's uncertain when he'll return.

Most - if not all - of the Colts are expected to attend at Idlewild Baptist Church in suburban Lutz.

Jim Caldwell, who is running the Colts in Dungy's absence, has been in almost daily contact with him and is trying to keep the team in its routine. That included a scheduled three-day break even after a second straight loss Saturday, 28-13 at Seattle.

Still, the teen's death has pushed football into a secondary role for the Colts, who spent much of the past two months answering questions about the possibility of becoming the second NFL team to complete a perfect season.

That quest ended at 13-0 when they lost 26-17 to San Diego on Dec. 18. Four days later, James was found dead. The exact cause of his death will be determined after toxicology tests.

The Colts were not required to make the trip to Florida for the funeral, however Caldwell believed most players - as well as a large contingent of team officials and employees - would attend.

Monday night's turnout included former Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella, Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and one-time Minnesota Vikings coach Les Steckel.

Denver Broncos safety John Lynch, ex-Vikings star Cris Carter, and linebacker Derrick Brooks and fullback Mike Alstott of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were among the current and former NFL players there.

"I think he (Dungy) certainly has had a feel for the number of people across the country who respect him and support him," Caldwell said.

The crowd began forming about an hour before the open-casket viewing and about 300 people were lined up by the time Dungy, wife Lauren and other family arrived at the funeral home in a limousine.

Many of the VIP's were escorted to the front of the line, but others waited with the general public.

"Hopefully he felt the love that I have for him and Lauren," Brooks said.

"He's doing the best he can under the circumstances. A lot of people have come to pay their respects because he's meant more to this community than just a football coach. I just continue to pray for him and ask that everybody else do the same."