Cincy Jungle Ring of Honor Candidate No. 2: Anthony Munoz

We are taking it upon ourselves to do what the Bengals' franchise has failed/refused to do during the past 46 years -- compile a true Ring of Honor for Bengals fans. Each day for the next nine days (we're on day 2 today), we'll present a candidate for the Ring of Honor and educate Bengals fans on the great history of the franchise for which they root, and the great players that have donned the stripes over the years. After our 10 candidates are presented, you, the fans, will vote for the first five players to be inducted into the Cincy Jungle Ring of Honor's inaugural class. Let's get started with our next candidate!

Player Name: Anthony Munoz (78)

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 278

Position: Left Tackle

Bengals Career: 1980-1992

Drafted: 1980, Round 1, 3^rd Pick

Biography

Michael Anthony Munoz was selected in the first round of the 1980 draft (3^rd overall) by Forrest Gregg and the Cincinnati Bengals after an impressive, but injury-plagued college career at USC in which Munoz had three surgeries in four seasons and played just one full game his senior year. Because of the knee injuries, the pick was thought to be risky, but after 13 seasons, all in Cincinnati, Munoz is regarded by most as the best offensive lineman to ever step foot on a football field - and you won't find any argument in Cincinnati. Munoz is as beloved in the Queen City off the field as he was on it. Munoz was the anchor to both offensive lines that led the Bengals to their only two Super Bowl appearances in franchise history. Munoz is the only Bengals player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Arguments For Induction

Accomplishments

• Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1998)
• 11 straight Pro Bowls (1982-1992)
• All-Pro 11 straight years (1981-1991)
• 10 straight All-AFC Team selections (1981-1990)
• 3-Time NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year (1981, 1987, 1988)
• NFL Players Association Lineman of the Year (181, 1985, 1988, 1989)
• All-NFL Team of the 1980's
• All-Time NFL Team (chosen in 2000 by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee)
• Selected to NFL's 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team (1994)
• Ranked #12 on the NFL Network's Top 100 Greatest Players list - highest ranked OL
• Bart Starr Man of the Year (1989)
• Walter Payton Man of the Year (1991)
• Started at tackle in Super Bowls XVI, XXIII
• Caught seven passes and scored four Touchdowns

Team Records

• Tied for fourth in franchise history for seasons of service (13)
• Fifth in franchise history in games played (185)

Impact on his Position

• Regarded by most as the best offensive lineman in NFL history.

Impact on the Franchise

• Only player in franchise history elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Anchored an offensive line that was key to the only two Super Bowl appearances (1981, 1988) in franchise history

Impact on the City

• Munoz is an accomplished community icon devoted to charitable work. In 2002 he established the Anthony Munoz Foundation (AMF), a non-profit organization armed with the mission of engaging the Tri-State region to impact youth mentally, physically and spiritually.

Arguments Against Induction:

None.

My Opinion:

With a player like Munoz, I believe my opinion is moot. Aside from Paul Brown, Munoz has to be the most successful and well-respected person in franchise history. From a player standpoint, I believe he is the best offensive lineman to play the game and the best player the franchise has ever had.