Anthony Muñoz

• Cincinnati Bengals (1980-1992)

Michael Anthony Muñoz ( born August 19, 1958 in Ontario, California) is an American former American football player at the position of the offensive tackles. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League ( NFL).

Youth

Anthony Muñoz raised by his single mother Esther along with his four siblings. His grandparents came from Chihuahua, Mexico. His mother worked at a chicken farm as a packer. On weekends, he and his brother had to help out on the farm. Anthony has his father never really got to know; he saw him only twice in his life - at the age of five and twelve years.

Due to his height, he was not allowed in his childhood, playing in a youth league football. He then turned to the baseball sport and played as a pitcher in various youth teams. It was only in high school he was given the opportunity next to baseball and basketball, as well to play football. In the football team in high school he played both on the offensive line, as well as the defensive line and also got use time as a punter. As a football player several college scouts were aware of him, and he got after his graduation from numerous colleges scholarships offered.

Playing career

College career

Muñoz participated in the courses offered by the University of Southern California ( USC). However, he was only willing to accept the offer after it was promised him that he will not participate in spring training need to aground for the baseball team, " USC Trojans ". Due to a knee injury he was only in his sophomore year playing in the baseball team to use, won with the team but this year the NCAA College Cup.

In the Trojans football team he played with Brad Budde in the offensive line. In the years 1978 and 1979 Anthony Muñoz was elected as a football player because of his athletic achievements to the All- American. However, he did repeatedly knee injury problems, many games his team he could not serve. It was therefore questionable whether a professional team would take the risk of an obligation. 1980 ran Muñoz in the Rose Bowl for the last time for the Trojans. His team won the game against the Ohio State University with 17:16. A spectator of the game was the owner of the Cincinnati Bengals, Paul Brown. Brown was a former football coach and recognized the qualities of the player.

Professional career

Anthony Muñoz was drafted in 1980 by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round in third place. The coach of the Bengals, Forrest Gregg, already put him as a rookie as a starter at a position of a tackle. In this position, he had to ensure the protection of quarterback Ken Anderson. In 1981, the Bengals won in the regular season twelve of 16 games and were thus able to qualify for the play- offs. In the AFC Championship Game, the team met the San Diego Chargers and was able to defeat with 27:7. With the victory, the team from Cincinnati for the Super Bowl XVI qualified. Enemies in the game were those of Bill Walsh managed the San Francisco 49ers. The quarterback of the 49ers Joe Montana was able to achieve two touchdowns in the first half, Ray Wersching converted two field goals for his team. This 20:0 residue could the Bengals no longer compensate and eventually lost with 26:21. In the following year, the Bengals for the play- offs could qualify, but failed there early to the New York Jets.

In 1984 Sam Wyche coached the Bengals. In the same year the team Boomer Esiason, who occupied the position of the starting quarterbacks from the following year undertook. In the 1988 season, the Bengals were again victorious make twelve of 16 games and once again move into the play-offs. In the AFC Championship Game, the team met to Muñoz to the Buffalo Bills, who could be hit with 21:10. In the subsequent Super Bowl XXIII were once again the 49ers opponent. Until a few seconds before the end, the Bengals led the game with 16:13. With a pass to John Taylor succeeded Montana to bring his team the lead. The 49ers won the Super Bowl with 20:16.

After the 1992 season, Muñoz finished his career with the Bengals and moved to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, for this team, he was no longer used.

Off the pitch

Muñoz starred in two Hollywood films during his career. In the years 1994 and 1995 he worked as a sports reporter for the Fox Broadcasting Company. Anthony Muñoz is married since 1978. The couple has two children.

Honors

Anthony Muñoz played eleven times in the Pro Bowl, the final game of the best players of the season. He was eleven times elected to the All- Pro. He is a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team, NFL 1980s All- Decade in the team in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in the California Sports Hall of Fame and in the University of Southern California Athletic Hall of Fame. On the occasion of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame named his hometown a park after him ( " Anthony Munoz Hall of Fame Park "). The magazine " Sporting News" named him in 1999 at number 17 of the 100 best football players of all time. In such a list put him NFL Network in 2010 to 12th place in 1991, he received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award after he had two years before getting the Bart Starr Award.