(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The older I’ve gotten the more I’ve learn to appreciate football players like Matt Muncy. Sure, he took care of business on the gridiron, but he also took care of business off of it.
In this era of players like Pacman Jones and Plaxico Burress, it seems like you can’t sneeze without turning on the television and watching another football player get in trouble. It aggravates me to watch players that play the sport I love make such stupid mistakes.
It is refreshing to have players like Muncy, who was an elite football player, but a good citizen as well. In 2006, he was nominated for the Lott Trophy as the Defensive IMPACT (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity).
Past winners of the Lott Trophy are: LB James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, DT Glenn Dorsey of LSU, DB Daymeion Hughes of California, LB DeMeco Ryans from Alabama, and DE David Pollack of Georgia. Simply being nominated for the award is quite an honor.
A dominant linebacker for the Ohio Bobcats in his college days, Muncy racked up an impressive 203 solo tackles, ranking him second in Ohio football history. He also had 39.5 career tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks during his days in Athens, OH.
One of his best seasons came in 2006, when he led the Bobcats to a MAC East title, a MAC Championship game appearance, and a 2007 GMAC Bowl berth against Southern Miss. The bowl appearance marked the first time the Ohio Bobcats had gotten a bowl since 1968.
Muncy ended up making a roster in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals, and in doing so fulfilled a life long dream. The dream was short-lived, but not many of us can say that we have filled our childhood dreams like that.
The Miamisburg, OH native was gracious enough to answer a few questions through e-mail on Facebook with me. Below is the interview and I hope you enjoy it.
Q: You were a legendary linebacker for the Ohio Bobcats--you finished your career as the second all-time leading tackler in Ohio Bobcat football history. What was your favorite game that you played in for the Bobcats and why?
A: I played in alot of memorable games so it's tough to choose one. I guess I would have to say our OT win over Pitt my junior year. It was Frank's first home game, our first nationally televised home game, and Pitt was ranked that year to start the season.
Q: You and fellow linebacker Tyler Russ spearheaded a dominant Bobcat defense that was crucial in leading the Bobcats to one of the best seasons in Ohio football history, earning Ohio its first bowl berth (GMAC Bowl) since 1968. Could you talk about how much it means to you to be such a big part of a special season in Ohio football history?
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