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| Munchak
Inducted in Hall of Fame |
| BY MARTY MYERS THE SUNDAY TIMES |
August 05, 2001 |
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| CANTON, Ohio -- The
Magnificent Seven headed down the steps of the Hall of Fame to the front row. |
As he passed,
Scranton's Mike Munchak shook hands with legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula.
He clasped the hand of Billy Shaw of the Buffalo Bills, an offensive guard like himself.
And finally, he accepted congratulations from longtime San Francisco 49ers great Bob St.
Clair, another great offensive lineman.
As he stepped to the front of the podium, his gold jacket shimmering in the late-morning
sunshine, Mr. Munchak had finally arrived.
He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in January. But it wasn't until Saturday
morning, when he joined fellow inductees Nick Buoniconti, Marv Levy, Jackie Slater, Lynn
Swann, Ron Yary and Jack Youngblood for the annual Hall of Fame group photo, that he knew
history was about to embrace him.
Still, Mr. Munchak, a standout offensive guard in 12 seasons with the Houston Oilers,
could not believe it was happening.
"I've had to sit up here for the past hour, nervous as heck, because I'm envisioning
that any moment, someone from NFL security is going to show up and say: 'Hey Munchak, what
are you doing up here?'" the 41-year-old Scranton native said. 'Get off that stage.
It's for Hall of Famers, You're just some blue collar guy from Scranton, Pennsylvania.'
"I say this because it was my initial thought when I was told of my election. How
could I be part of this elite group up here? Heck, I was thrilled when I was a kid just to
have their football cards. Now, to be part of this group ... you have to be kidding
me."
This, finally, was the day he awaited since his induction was announced six months ago. No
one could interrupt this magical moment. It was a day for heroes of the game, and whether
he could believe it or not, Mr. Munchak was now among them.
"Well, since no one is here to throw me out, I guess I can go ahead and continue with
my speech," Mr. Munchak joked.
More than three hours had passed since he was introduced with six other inductees, this
Magnificent Seven of the Class of 2001. Now, on the podium, his time had arrived.
Former teammate and longtime friend Bruce Matthews introduced him. It was a moment that
brought both men to the verge of tears.
So Mr. Munchak took a moment to collect himself, to draw on the inner strength he
learnedfrom his parents, Mike and Paula, while growing up.
"I know that I would not be the man I am today without my parents," he said
"They taught me integrity and to do the right thing. They never pushed me to be what
they wanted, only to make my own decisions. I thank God every day for blessing me with the
two of you."
Mr. Munchak set a Hall of Fame record by inviting nearly 400 guests, but he didn't have
time to thank each of them.
He pointed out coaches from his Pop Warner days with the Scranton Apollos through high
school and college. He reminisced about old friends. And he remembered the people who
never forgot about him.
"I need to especially thank my hometown of Scranton for all the support they have
shown me throughout my career," Mr. Munchak said. "For 12 years, they have piled
on buses to go to away games all over the East Coast. They even flew to Houston when I
retired. That kind of following is unheard of for an offensive lineman. Thank you
all."
The man who is remembered around town as a caring, kind individual lived up to his
reputation.
"Words like excellence, integrity and honor come to mind," Mr. Matthews said.
"Mike Munchak epitomizes that to me, both on and off the field. I don't think there
could be a better person to represent these values. Not only as a player, but as a
husband, a father and a friend."
But it was his warrior-like attitude on the field that carried Mr. Munchak to Canton.
"The hits that he put on linebackers were legendary and frequently the topics of many
mealtime conversations with the Oilers," Mr. Matthews said. "One play that comes
to mind was a shot he put on a (Cleveland) Browns defender on a screen pass in 1992.
Interestingly, the defender was Matthews' brother, Clay.
"The defender saw him coming for about five yards," Mr. Matthews said.
"Mike hit him, and the guy gyrated through the air five yards back. It was one of the
most-awesome hits I've ever seen. Our free-spirited punter, Greg Montgomery, later
commented that it looked like a cat got hit by a pickup truck."
Mr. Munchak paid a price, however. He fought through injuries, enduring nine surgeries on
his left knee to play the game he loved. Three other times, his right knee was surgically
repaired.
He said he wouldn't have made it without his wife by his side.
"Marci, you should be standing up here with me today because this would not have been
possible without you," he said. "For 20 years, you helped me survive the
pressures of the NFL, to win and perform, by being supportive and understanding.
"You played nurse and psychiatrist as you helped me deal with and get through the
injuries and surgeries that came with playing in the NFL. I know it was not easy."
Nothing worthwhile ever is, for the players, or those who love them.
Mr. Munchak persevered, and Saturday, he received his reward.
"To be standing on the steps of the NFL Hall of Fame, the home of the greatest men to
ever play the game, is proof that dreams do come true," Mr. Munchak said.
"I am humbled to be a member of this team."
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| İScranton Times
Tribune 2001 |
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