 Muñoz in 2015 | |||||||||
| No. 78 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1958-08-19)August 19, 1958 (age 66) Ontario, California, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 278 lb (126 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Chaffey (Ontario, California) | ||||||||
| College: | USC (1976–1979) | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1980: 1st round, 3rd pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Michael Anthony Muñoz (born August 19, 1958) is an American former professionalfootball player who was anoffensive tackle for 13 seasons with theCincinnati Bengals of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theUSC Trojans. In 2022, anESPN panel named Muñoz as the greatest offensive tackle in NFL history.[1] He was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
Muñoz went toChaffey High School inOntario, California. He played college football at theUniversity of Southern California from 1976 to 1979. He also played baseball there, pitching for USC's national championship team in 1978.[2] TheTrojans won a bowl game in all four of Muñoz's seasons, including three victories in theRose Bowl. However, injuries had cut Muñoz's freshman and junior seasons short, forcing him to miss the team's Rose Bowl wins in both years.
In the opening game of his senior year, Muñoz suffered torn kneeligaments and had to miss all of the remaining regular season games, though he did return for USC's 17–16Rose Bowl win over the previously undefeatedOhio State University onNew Year's Day in 1980. Muñoz could have requested a medical redshirt, enabling him to play as a 5th year senior in 1980, or simply focused on getting ready for the upcoming NFL draft, but he insisted on coming back for the Rose Bowl. "I can’t imagine missing that experience with my guys," Muñoz explained.[3] USC running backCharles White rushed for a Rose Bowl record 247 yards in the game, including six carries on an 83-yard drive to score the game winning touchdown with 1:32 left, mostly running to left weak side behind Muñoz. "He played the whole ball game, he didn’t get hurt and we won," USC coachJohn Robinson said of Muñoz after the game. "To me, that’s a perfect game. That’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen happen."[4]
Muñoz was the third overall pick in the1980 NFL draft by theCincinnati Bengals. His selection was viewed as a major risk by many pundits since knee problems limited the 6 ft. 6 in., 280-pound Muñoz to just a combined 16 games in his final two college seasons.
Muñoz became a starter in his rookie season and remained a fixture at left tackle for the Bengals for 13 seasons and is considered one of the greatest offensive linemen - if not the greatest - in NFL history. Despite his history of injuries, Muñoz missed just three games during his first 12 seasons. His rigorous workout routine included working out in the weight room he had installed in his home and running three to four miles every day.[5]In addition to his talents as a blocker, Anthony Muñoz was also a capable receiver, notching seven receptions for 18 yards and scoring four touchdowns ontackle-eligible plays, including one in 1984 from rookie quarterbackBoomer Esiason against theCleveland Browns inCleveland.
Muñoz played in twoSuper Bowls during his time with the Bengals,XVI andXXIII, both narrow losses to theSan Francisco 49ers.
After missing much of the1992 season battling knee and shoulder injuries, Muñoz attempted to play a 14th season with theTampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was released before the season started and decided to retire shortly after.[6]
Muñoz was the Offensive Lineman of the Year in1981, and1988, and was awarded theNFL Players Association Lineman of the Year honors in 1981, 1985, 1988, and 1989.[7] The NFL Alumni Association voted Munoz the Offensive Lineman of the Year four times (1987, 1989–1991).[7] He won theSeagram's Seven Crowns of Sports award for Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1981 and 1986.
At the time of his retirement, his Pro Bowl selections were tied withTom Mack for the most ever by an offensive lineman in league history, and also set the Bengals franchise record. In1994, Muñoz was named to theNational Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. In1999, he was ranked #17 onSporting News' list of the 100 greatest football players and was the highest-ranked offensive lineman.[8] In 2010, he was ranked #12 on theNFL Network'sThe Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players list and again was the highest-ranked offensive lineman.
In 1998, Muñoz was enshrined in thePro Football Hall of Fame. He was the first exclusive Cincinnati Bengals player to be enshrined. Shortly after receiving the honor, Muñoz's hometown ofOntario, California, renamed its Colony Park "Anthony Muñoz Hall of Fame Park". The renaming ceremony was held on June 26, 1998, and was attended by Muñoz, his family, city officials, and Ontario residents.[9]
Muñoz was a member of the Bengals inaugural Ring of Honor class in 2021.[10]
While the Bengals have not officially retired it, they have not reissued the number 78 since Muñoz left the team.[11]
Muñoz appeared in two motion pictures:1980'sBorderline as "Guatemalan" and1983'sThe Right Stuff (anAcademy Award nominee forBest Picture) as "Gonzalez".[12]
From 1994 to 1995, Muñoz served as acolor commentator onFox Sports' NFL telecasts and has for many years been color commentator for TV broadcasts of Bengals' preseason games.
Since 1992, Muñoz has starred in a series of commercials for the Cincinnati-area furniture store Furniture Fair.[13]
In 2002, the Anthony Muñoz Foundation was created to consolidate Muñoz's charitable activities and encourages area individuals and businesses to "...impact area youth mentally, physically and spiritually".[14] In 2004, Muñoz served on a panel to select the year's recipient of theWalter Payton Award. On November 14, 2012, Allstate dedicated a Hometown Hall of Famers plaque to Muñoz at Chaffey High School.[15] On October 8, 2015, Muñoz received theCongressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Medallion of Excellence for his contributions to the Hispanic community.[16]
Muñoz attended a celebrity flag-football game atCandlestick Park, the last event before the demolition of the stadium in 2014. He describes the event:
The final touchdown pass, there were probably 30,000 people in that stadium viewing a bunch of old guys playing a flag football game, but to see (Montana) throw to (DeBartolo) for the final touchdown there and to hear the fans go crazy and to see the admiration from these former players likeRonnie Lott andJoe Montana; that to me was impressive... to me, that's what it's all about.[17]
Muñoz is of Mexican–American descent from the state ofChihuahua inMexico and met his wife atUSC; they married during his sophomore year in 1978.[18] They have two children. His sonMichael played offensive lineman atTennessee where he was anAll-America and went undrafted in 2005. His daughter, Michelle, played basketball atTennessee and later transferred toOhio State.
Muñoz is aChristian.[19] He has said, “My faith is everything for me in my life, college, my 13 years playing in the NFL. Now that I've been retired from the NFL it continues to be the most important thing in my life.”[20]
