MUÑOZ … Anthony Muñoz, widely considered to be one of the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history, delivers a message at Founders Hall for the Pettisville Man Cave Ministries. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Jacob Kessler
The Pettisville Man Cave Ministries hosted Pro Football Hall of Fame member and former offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals Anthony Muñoz. The event took place on Wednesday, October 5th at Sauder’s Founders Hall.
The Pettisville Man Cave Ministries group is an independent, non-denominational, Christian, not for profit group. It is made up of men from around the area that come together on Wednesday nights for fellowship, prayer and fun.
Currently, the group meets at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Pettisville Missionary Church.
Other events are also organized throughout the year by the Man Cave, with each one being put on to serve a purpose and spread the message of Christ.
One such event will take place on November 5th and will feature NBA star Al Wood and Randy Shepard.
Mr. Muñoz was brought to the Archbold area to speak about his life as a football player and the journey he went through to find Christ.
He spoke about his mother and how she was their Mother, Father, Coach and Boss.
His mother worked numerous jobs in order to provide for her children. Muñoz explained that this served to form his work ethic.
He also went on to speak about his time in college and being able to play for the University of Southern California.
There he met Ed Holtz who was able to be a mentor to him and bring him to Christianity.
Through Ed Holtz and his studies, he was able to learn that he could have a relationship with Christ.
During his sophomore year at USC, he married his wife Dianne (Dede). It was after their marriage, that the two decided to accept Christ into their lives.
“We realized, together as a couple, and I realized that we needed Jesus as our lord and savior. I realized that the Holy Spirit started to work on my heart,” Muñoz.
Being October now, it is special since this moment took place back in October of 1978.
Muñoz continued and spoke about tough times he had faced in life. The injuries he had suffered while playing at USC and the fear of possibly not getting that call to play in the NFL.
That day came though when on April 29th, 1980, during the NFL Draft when the coach of the Cincinnati Bengals called and gave him the good news.
Even through all of the fear though, Muñoz explained that he knew God would lead him to what he needed to do if football was no longer his calling.
This however was his calling and was able to add many accolades to his name.
Through his thirteen seasons with the Bengals, he earned 11 consecutive All-Pro selections, played in 11 straight Pro Bowls, was named the NFL Offensive Lineman of the year in 1981,1987, 1988 and the NFL Players Association Lineman of the Year in 1981, 1985, 1988, and 1989. From 1980 to 1990 he started 164 of the 168 games he played in and pushed the team to three AFC Central Division Titles and two AFC Championships.
He was also able to play in two Super Bowls before being moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993.
Following a shoulder injury, he stepped away from Football and was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All Time Team in 1994 before later being the first Bengal inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
This list is not a complete list, but it does show some of the accomplishments made by Muñoz.
Following the presentation, a brief question and answer session was held between Muñoz and members of the audience.
Muñoz continues to travel and speak to people about his faith and journey in order to help other people.
Together him and his wife also work on other humanitarian outreach projects.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com