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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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