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Addressing his remarks to the players, Anthony Muñoz, a
member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, told them to take in
the entire experience, “not just on the field, but the
relationships that will stay with you” after playing is done.
Muñoz,
whose grandparents were from Chihuahua, México, played 13 years
as an offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the
National Football League and was a leaders on two Cincinnati
Super Bowl teams. He was selected as an All-Pro 11 straight
years and is considered one of the best ever to play the game.
Muñoz was enshrined in the Pro Footbal Hall of Fame in 1998.
“True commitment was something I had to learn and put to use in
my life,” Muñoz said. “It is mostly mental, not just physical.”
He then told how he had to recover from surgery that everyone
thought would keep him from playing in the Rose Bowl his senior
year as the University of Southern California. He became
committed to his rehab program and was able to help USC defeat
Ohio State and become the number one college team in the
country.
As a professional player, if preparing meant staying longer for
film sessions, or strategy talks with his teammates, or even
working out a little more, that is what they did. They were
committed to improving and being prepared for the next game.
That’s the work ethic and commitment needed to succeed,” he told
the players and coaches, “and it applies to all areas of your
life – school, job and family.”
After
his pro career ended, Muñoz went into broadcasting for seven
years and then coached football at Cincinnati Moeller High
School for three years. Still residing in Cincinnati, he and
his family established the Anthony Muñoz Foundation whose
purpose is to help instill the same character values Muñoz
brings to his life – being engaged physically, mentally and
spiritually in what you do. The Foundation sponsors
scholarships, leadership development, and programs that
recognize scholares/athletes.
He has also established a business, Muñoz Brandz, with two
divisions, Muñoz Corporate and Muñoz Athletics. Muñoz Corporate
provides corporate apparel and promotional products and Muñoz
Athletics provides athletic apparel and equipment.
After the dinner, the Mexican National Junior Team
presented him with a jersey, which Muñoz immediately put on. He
stayed long after the dinner, graciously greeting players from
the different countries and having his picture taken with them.
On the Internet:
http://www.munozfoundation.org/
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