Anthony Munoz: 20-year Hall anniversary.
On the 20th anniversary of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Anthony Munoz won't be joined by another Hall-of-Famer that ended his career in Cincinnati.
Former wide receiver Terrell Owens, who played his final season with the Bengals in 2010, informed the Hall of Fame Thursday that he won't attend this summer's ceremony that celebrates his class of 2018 that was elected back in February.
"He's missing a lot," Munoz said Thursday afternoon as prepares for his foundation's annual golf tournament this weekend. "To be able to be around these great men and be able to see the shoulders that we stood on and made the game what it is today is one of life's greatest experiences."
Munoz, regarded as the greatest left tackle of all-time during his 13 seasons that were all spent in Cincinnati, is the only Hall-of-Famer that played the bulk of his career for the Bengals. Owens and another wide receiver, Charlie Joiner, a Bengal for four of his 18 seasons, are the only other Cincinnati players in the Hall.
When Munoz was inducted on Aug. 1, 1998, it was an emotional day highlighted by 17-year-old Michael Munoz's speech presenting his father.
"But it's just not the speeches and the ceremony," Anthony Munoz said. "The three or four days before that are great. It gives you an opportunity to meet and have a relationship with some really great guys. It really is a fraternity. A guy like Jerry Rice is part of it. One of the greatest and a guy who is always there."
Munoz, 59, rarely misses a Hall-of-Fame event and a big reason is because of the camaraderie.
"Before they died I got a chance to get to know guys like Merlin Olsen and Leo Nomellini," Munoz said. "I never would have had the chance to get to know them if I wasn't able to come back and be exposed to these guys. (Owens) is going miss a lot."
