Michael Munoz giving up Football ?

[JPW]

News Talk 99

We`ll discuss Michael Munoz`s decision to give up football after not being drafted this weekend. "This whole process we`ve prayed for clarity," Munoz told us earlier today. "When it happened, it made it clear we`ll go down a different road. I had fun playing football. Football isn`t who I am. I knew the day would come when I`d have to walk away from the sport and I`m fine with that. It`s time to make a clean break."

Maybe he would reconsider ...

Would it hurt to at least offer him a shot to play here ...

Link to another story on it.

ESPN News

[derekshank]

Well, given his Christian background, he is obviously taking this as a sign that God wants him to do something else with his life. Who knows, maybe he's right. Coulda team change his mind... if they show interest in him, maybe he'll see that as a sign in the other direction, but at this point, I doubt he will be doing any walk on try outs. He very well may be done.

[jjakq27]

I doubt that Marvin or Mike Brown would want to be the one associated with cutting Anthony's son.

[Kirkendall]

I overheard a radio report that the Bengals offered him a deal, but he turned it down -- not sure if it's true or I heard that or something else. Anyway, be on a look out for that report if true.

[Kirkendall]

OK, the Bengals offered Munoz a try-out, not a contract.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

OK, the Bengals offered Munoz a try-out, not a contract.

Usually you don't get a contract without a workout, even if you are drafted.

[jjakq27]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3568988

Munoz quits football after going undrafted

ELIZABETH A. DAVIS / Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee offensive tackle Michael Munoz decided to quit football after he was not chosen in the NFL draft over the weekend, his father, NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz said Monday.

The All-American started 46 games in his career despite injuries, including a torn rotator cuff that ended his senior year before the Southeastern Conference championship game in December.

Anthony Munoz said his son has not yet decided what he plans to do now.

"When you're not drafted, I think that's a pretty clear indication as Michael has said," Anthony Munoz told The Associated Press. "He'll tell you one door was closed and there's four or five other doors being opened at the same time. It's kind of a divine intervention here."

Michael Munoz, visiting with his family in Ohio, declined to be interviewed by telephone.

He told WNOX radio in Knoxville he is ready to move on.

"I had fun playing football. But I never found my identify playing football," he said. "Football isn't who I am. I knew the day would come when I'd have to walk away from the sport and I'm fine with that. Some people are so wrapped up in it they can't walk away because that's who they are. It's time to make a clean break."

Michael Munoz of Mason, Ohio, was one of the most highly regarded recruits in the country coming out of Moeller High School in Cincinnati.

He graduated early from Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in political science and started working on a master's in public administration last season.

He was awarded the Draddy Trophy as the nation's top scholar-athlete in December and received $25,000 in scholarship money. He is considering getting an MBA, his father said.

Michael's wife Emily will graduate from Tennessee nursing school this spring.

"The amazing thing about it is how well Michael and Emily are doing even as tough a blow as that was," Anthony Munoz said.

The elder Munoz believes injuries hurt his son's chances.

Michael Munoz, a team captain for two seasons, had to redshirt his second year at Tennessee because of a knee injury. He has missed some games with other injuries and played through pain at times.

"We were totally shocked that he did not get drafted. He started four years at Tennessee," Anthony Munoz said. "Knowing as many people in the NFL as I do, there was no inkling that that was going to happen."

Anthony Munoz, also an offensive tackle, was the Cincinnati Bengals' No. 1 pick out of Southern California in the 1980 draft.

[Kirkendall]

OK, the Bengals offered Munoz a try-out, not a contract.

Usually you don't get a contract without a workout, even if you are drafted.

Yea, that's what confused me before.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

That's too bad, sounds like he's kind of bitter - but in his friendly Munoz type of way. Where else are you going to make $100K+ a year coming out of college for what is essentially part time work playing a sport in front of millions of people?

Of course it's some "divine intervention" for him, as if it was a miracle he wasn't drafted. Couldn't be because of his injury history or lack of passion for the sport!

[walshfan]

the guy is a quitter plain and simple... Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I didnt get drafted so Im going to quit.... he didnt talk about quiting BEFORE the draft so why now?

[membengal]

the guy is a quitter plain and simple... Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I didnt get drafted so Im going to quit.... he didnt talk about quiting BEFORE the draft so why now?

Um. Wow.

He's physically hurt. Tore his cuff in January. That's a HUGE deal for an OL.

And, sometimes, it is OK to move on with your life. He has a life outside of football (I know, hard for all of us losers on an NFL chatboard in April to imagine). It's OK to let him move on with his life, it really is. It is his life.

[Kirkendall]

the guy is a quitter plain and simple... Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I didnt get drafted so Im going to quit.... he didnt talk about quiting BEFORE the draft so why now?

I'm with mem. Bitter or not, it's good to get out of the sport now if his heart isn't in it and get the rest of his life going. I don't blame him one bit. I'm glad he's sorta at peace with himself about it -- that's important.

[jjakq27]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...SPT02/504260377

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

No football for Munoz

Son of Bengals great will pursue MBA

By Mark Curnutte

Enquirer staff writer

At just 23 years of age, Michael Munoz might be best known as a football player. But, to the people closest to him, Munoz is about a lot more than football.

"Football is a very little part of what he's all about," Steve Klonne, Munoz's former Moeller High School football coach, said Monday, the day Munoz let it be known he was quitting football.

"Knowing Michael, he looked at his options," added Klonne, now football coach at McNicholas.

DeDe Munoz, Michael's mother, confirmed her son's decision's during an interview with the Enquirer.

"He has decided to retire," she said.

Michael, a four-year starter at left offensive tackle at Tennessee, was surprisingly not drafted. And while he received a few offers to sign a rookie free agent contract, though the Bengals would not comment on reports they made an offer, Munoz wanted to pursue other interests.

"He and (wife) Emily prayed for a clear path, and they felt not getting drafted was pretty clear," DeDe Munoz said. "He said if they (NFL teams) really wanted him, they would have drafted him."

Michael is the son of NFL great Anthony Munoz, the former Bengals star who was one of three offensive tackles named to the league's 75th anniversary team in 1994.

Michael Munoz's injuries at Tennessee - a knee and shoulder that required surgery and forced him to miss this year's Cotton Bowl - are believed to be what scared away NFL teams from him during the draft.

"It was harder on Anthony," DeDe Munoz said.

"I think he felt blindsided because, with all his friends in the league, he felt like he probably should have known."

Michael has declined almost all interview requests, but he did tell radio station KNOX in Knoxville, Tenn., that he was ready to move on.

"I had fun playing football," he said. "But I never found my identity playing football. Football isn't who I am. I knew the day would come when I'd have to walk away from the sport, and I'm fine with that.

"Some people are so wrapped up in it they can't walk away because that's who they are. It's time to make a clean break."

He was expected to be a third- or fourth-round pick, according to draft experts. DeDe Munoz said her son plans to finish his master's degree in public administration and pursue an MBA.

He graduated early at Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in political science.

In December, Munoz received the Draddy Trophy, considered the "academic Heisman," as the nation's top student-athlete. The award came with a $25,000 scholarship.

His wife, the former Emily Jones of Sharonville, will graduate in May from the University of Tennessee's nursing school. She and Michael attended a family member's wedding Friday night and then spent the weekend at DeDe and Anthony's home in Mason, where they watched the NFL draft unfold on television.

"He has many job offers," DeDe Munoz said of her son. "There are people here who want him to work here. There are people who want him to work in Tennessee.

"What a lot of people don't understand about Michael is that he's very methodical, very bright, and he did sit back and weigh all his options."

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Wahhhh? Sounded more like I don't have to be my father to be successful. I'd much rather stay in school, finish up my masters degree and go on with my life than distract myself by continuning to punish my body for your pleasure.

Sounds like the fans are the ones whining. I support his decision to come out of school and make just as much money with his masters as he could an undrafted free agent practice squad guy.

[HoosierCat]

I overheard a radio report that the Bengals offered him a deal, but he turned it down -- not sure if it's true or I heard that or something else. Anyway, be on a look out for that report if true.

Per Ludwig in today's DDN, the Bengals were one of several teams that came calling yesterday, but Munoz turned them all down. Can't blame him; chances of making an NFL roster as a street FA are pretty slender, and according to his dad he already has a couple job offers from big (non-football) companies. May as well get on with your life, y'know?

FWIW, the elder Munoz sounds pretty p*ssed Michael wasn't drafted...certainly more so than Michael is...anyhow, here's the story...

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cont.../0426munoz.html

Bengals call, but Munoz isn't answering

Player decides against NFL after not being drafted

By Chick Ludwig

Dayton Daily News

CINCINNATI | All the pent-up frustration flowed from an emotional Anthony Munoz, who couldn't help but ask two questions of the NFL.

How could it put him, his son and their family through 17 hours of torture? And, "Why?" That's how long they sat in front of a television in Mason watching the NFL draft, waiting for the call that never came.

Oh, the calls from teams are coming in now to agent Robb Nelson of Integrity First Management in Cincinnati, but they're too late.

University of Tennessee star offensive tackle Michael Munoz, son of Pro Football Hall of Fame legend Anthony Munoz — the greatest Cincinnati Bengal — has decided to walk away from the game after going undrafted.

Anthony confirmed Monday the Bengals were among several teams that attempted to sign Michael as a college free agent in the draft aftermath, but to no avail. Michael and his wife, Emily, a Tennessee nursing student, are ready for life outside the cut-throat world of pro football.

"I would say Michael and Emily have pretty well eliminated that (signing as a college free agent)," Anthony said. "They're ready to move on. From what I've heard them say, the door is pretty much completely closed. I talked to (Bengals head coach) Marvin (Lewis) this morning and I'm pretty sure, 99.9 percent, that's completely closed."

One of the nation's most highly regarded recruits out of Cincinnati Moeller High School, Michael graduated early from Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in political science and started working on a master's in public administration last season. He was awarded the Draddy Trophy as the nation's top scholar-athlete in December and received $25,000 in scholarship money.

Despite his glittering resume, Michael's medical history caused teams to shy away. The two-time Volunteers team captain redshirted his second year because of a knee injury, then a torn rotator cuff ended his senior year before the SEC championship game.

Nevertheless, Michael said he passed his physicals at the NFL Combine in February, and his draft expectations were high.

"I would be surprised if there was a professional or college lineman, from January until this past week, that was doing everything Michael was doing with weight training, speed conditioning, football technique and skills for four months because he was told he passed the physicals," Anthony said.

"You read and you listen, and you're projected in the second round, best case scenario, and fourth round, worst case scenario, and you let him have huge expectations, and then all of a sudden nothing happens. For me it was just like, wow, this is really hard to believe.

"We sat there for two days. I don't think I've ever sat in front of a TV from noon until 11 Saturday and then all day (Sunday) without an inkling of knowing what was going on. Especially someone like myself. You look at all the head coaches, all the general managers, all the assistant coaches that I know — not just know, but that are close friends — and you do not get a call. It was tough.

"Why did the league feel that way? Michael approached it with no anger, and I'm not going to carry a grudge. But I'm just thinking that maybe in the future, if there's a young man sitting there for 10 hours one day and seven hours the next day, tell 'em beforehand.

"This is the first day after the draft and he's got job offers from two huge companies. He's going to be fine, but he would have two months under his belt of being able to earn income and get settled with his wife. I know it's a business, but it's hard to understand. You just have to bite your tongue. You don't want to sound like you're bitter, but it blows me away."

Michael has declined interviews by telephone, but told WNOX radio in Knoxville he is ready to move on.

"I had fun playing football," he said. "But I never found my identity playing football. Football isn't who I am. I knew the day would come when I'd have to walk away from the sport and I'm fine with that. Some people are so wrapped up in it they can't walk away because that's who they are. It's time to make a clean break."

The same goes for his sister. After three ankle surgeries, Michelle Munoz has decided to forego her final season of eligibility (2005-06) for the Ohio State women's basketball team. She will graduate in June and begin work on a master's degree.

"We had a double whammy — Michael's sudden end and Michelle deciding she's not going to play next year — so it was tough," Anthony said.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

His mother says, "he's retiring" - funny I didn't think college players "retired."

I don't think people are questioning his decision (mainly due to his constant injuries and he can do whatever he wants) but he clearly was watching and expected to be drafted and then decided to not play AFTER he wasn't drafted by anybody.

I think that is what people harp on him about, if he had decided to do this before the draft it would've been different.

But noooo since he won't get a sizeable contract upfront it sounds like he's just making excuses and is a little bitter about it.

[HoosierCat]

But noooo since he won't get a sizeable contract upfront it sounds like he's just making excuses and is a little bitter about it.

Nothing wrong with wanting to be paid...and the bottom line is that the kid appears smart enough to do anything he wants. So why chase around after crumbs in NFL training camps? He can probably earn more in the real world -- and have a much more settled and normal life -- than if he's bouncing around from practice squad to practice squad.

All I know is, I wish him luck.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

But noooo since he won't get a sizeable contract upfront it sounds like he's just making excuses and is a little bitter about it.

Nothing wrong with wanting to be paid...and the bottom line is that the kid appears smart enough to do anything he wants. So why chase around after crumbs in NFL training camps? He can probably earn more in the real world -- and have a much more settled and normal life -- than if he's bouncing around from practice squad to practice squad.

All I know is, I wish him luck.

In the words of Chicken Little....

HOLY CRAP, THE SKY IS FALLING!

I agree with Joisey?

[princeton]

it looks like all the teams that didn't draft him made the right choice. He's not as committed, and has other interests. It's hard to play like that. He made the right choice, for now.

and after he discovers how exciting a cubicle can be, then we'll see him next year

[jjakq27]

But noooo since he won't get a sizeable contract upfront it sounds like he's just making excuses and is a little bitter about it.

I think you'd be bitter if you were being led to believe one thing, by everyone and having the unthinkable happen to you.

I doubt that it is strictly about the money.

[jbengals1]

I'm sorry but being a person who would die to play in the NFL, i know i wouldnt want Michael Munoz next to me in the huddle knowing that hes not 100% into the game, 9 times out of 10 hed just end up leaving kinda like ricky williams did to the fins "no im not saying because of drugs but rather because his love for the game wasnt there"

[Kirkendall]

I'm sorry but being a person who would die to play in the NFL

How would you play if you died?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I'm sorry but being a person who would die to play in the NFL, i know i wouldnt want Michael Munoz next to me in the huddle knowing that hes not 100% into the game, 9 times out of 10 hed just end up leaving kinda like ricky williams did to the fins "no im not saying because of drugs but rather because his love for the game wasnt there"

So you are supporting his decision to not enter the NFL, but continue in school and get his degree and live his own life instead of following his father's legacy into the NFL?

I don't get it. People bitch because he gave up football and then bitch because he doesn't seem to want to play, thus not having enough heart to play.... PICK ONE!

[Bobcat Bengal]

I see what JBengals is saying.....

First off, Munoz is a tackle.

If his heart isn't in it, he better fall back, because he could f**k around and let a DE blow past him and get the QB folded big time, on some Terry-Tate-Office-Linebacker-type-s**t.

Tackles better be in the game, because unlike guards and centers, they usually don't have anyone helping them to double team a player.

[HoosierCat]

I'm sorry but being a person who would die to play in the NFL

How would you play if you died?

I think you'd be limited to spectral teams...