This post is part of a media project called SoCal Sports History 101: The Prime Numbers from 00 to 99 that Uniformly, Uniquely and Unapologetically Reveal The Narrative of Our Region’s Athletic Heritage. Pick a number, and consider the list of athletes attached to it. Who wore it best? Or, what’s the most compelling story linked to it? Any person, place or thing is in play with Southern California connections. Star power, transformational achievement, longevity, notoriety and quirkiness all factor in. Whatever leads to a lively discussion and interpretation.
The most obvious choices for No. 77:
Luka Doncic: Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Munoz: USC football
Ron Yary: USC football
Jeff Carter: Los Angeles Kings
Paul Coffey: Los Angeles Kings
Lyle Alzado: Los Angeles Raiders
Alex Whitworth: Los Angeles Rams
John McCarthy: LAFC and Los Angeles Galaxy
The most interesting story for No. 77:
Anthony Munoz: USC football offensive lineman (1976 to 1979) via Chaffey High of Ontario
Southern California map pinpoints:
Ontario, Los Angeles (Coliseum)
At 6-foot-6 and 278 pounds, svelte and imposing, Anthony Munoz fit the framework of the game’s most talented No. 77 since the heralded Harold “Red” Grange.
Imagine if Munoz played tackle on the University of Illinois’ offensive line in the 1920s actually throwing blocks for someone still considered a century later as the greatest college football player of all time. Or even later during Grange’s career making the NFL a viable option for players while with the Chicago Bears.
In scanning the enjoyable “The Football 100,” a 2023 list procured by the staff of The Athletic that takes into account the 25,000-plus players who’ve suited up in the NFL during its century of existence, Munoz is slotted as 12th from the top. Not only is he the top offensive lineman on that list, but he is positioned as the highest-ranked football player ever associated with Southern California ties.
Grange, despite his Pro Football Hall of Fame status, didn’t quite do enough to make that list.
Before Munoz’s ascent into a Pro Football Hall of Fame career, he was also included in the Top 100 of ESPN’s list of the 150 greatest players in college football’s 150-year history (where Grange is only No. 6). Munoz’s recognition came despite a history of injury issues that could have brought him much more fame. That still got him into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Maybe it’s because of how he responded to those setbacks – three knee surgeries in four years, robbing him of almost every chance he had during his career to play in games against rivals UCLA and Notre Dame — that we find elevating him to this position for our purposes ultimately justified. It goes to what his USC coach, John Robinson, said about his performance in the 1980 Rose Bowl, calling it “one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen happen.”
Continue reading “No. 77: Anthony Munoz”
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