INDIANAPOLIS -- Fresh off the disappointment of his team's loss to New England, Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy made an early-morning appearance that Gov. Mitch Daniels said shows where his heart is.

Dungy joined Daniels and hundreds of other people at the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives conference in downtown Indianapolis.

Dungy and Daniels are encouraging fathers and schools across Indiana to start All-Pro Dad chapters in their communities.

The program originated with two fathers in Indianapolis and has been launched nationwide thanks in part to Dungy's efforts.

Dungy enjoyed a standing ovation as he stepped on stage, 6News' Julie Pursley reported. He presented a Presidential Volunteer Service Award to Bill Bissmeyer and Pat Fitzgerald, who organized two chapters at Cathedral and Roncalli high schools after Bissmeyer's 17-year-old son died of a viral heart infection.

"What Bill decided to do was to help his other children, No. 1, but help other dads realize that same thing, that these children are a gift from God," Dungy said.

The program encourages fathers to have a group breakfast once a month to connect with kids before school. There are currently 640 chapters around the world.

"I don't think we would have had the momentum had we not had a spokesperson that epitomized the No. 1 job he has, and that is of dad and father," Bissmeyer.

Gov. Daniels and Dungy issued a challenge to all schools and father to start their own breakfast.

"It just really gives the kids an idea that my dad cares," Dungy said.