He rarely showed his emotions, always acted professionally, never let his guard down. 

That was on the field. 

Today, before a packed house at pro football's holy ground, Munoz knows he won't be able to keep a stiff upper lip. 

"I just hope I don't blubber too much and make a fool of myself," Munoz said. 

That will not be an easy task for the Ontario product who starred at Chaffey High School and USC before moving on to the Cincinnati Bengals. 

For today, Munoz enters Pro Football's Hall of Fame. Making it more special for him is the fact that his son, Michael, will be giving the induction speech. 

"That is something that will make this very special," Munoz said. "I don't know what I'll be thinking at that point, but it will be something I will never forget, that's for sure." 

Munoz, elected in his first year of eligibility, will be inducted along with Mike Singletary, Paul Krause, Dwight Stephenson and Tommy McDonald. 

On June 26, Munoz was honored at a day-long celebration by the city of Ontario. During the dinner, Munoz was introduced to the crowd by his daughter, Michelle. He could hardly make it through his speech. 

"It's really something to have your kids talk about you this way," Munoz said during a tearful speech. "It leaves me speechless." 

That was with his hometown and college buddies watching. What he will do in front of the football world is anybody's guess. 

But this is his day. 

Munoz, who was selected to a record 11 consecutive Pro Bowls during his 13-year career with the Cincinnati Bengals, is considered by many as the best offensive lineman ever and more. 

"He is the best player that has ever played the game at his position," said John Robinson, who coached Munoz at USC. "He is the best man any of us have known. And he's just a good guy. It makes me happy to know him and happy to have had the chance to coach him." 

"We first took notice of Anthony's size and ability to move," said Bengals' lineman Dave Lapham, who played alongside a young Munoz. "He could do things that nobody had ever done at that position. He was no dumb lineman that's for sure." 

Munoz dominated his position, helping lead the Bengals to two Super Bowls. Both times they lost to the San Francisco 49ers. 

"It was disappointing to lose those games, but it really meant a lot to get there," said Munoz. 

That's because there was a time when playing football seemed almost impossible. 

Munoz, who was a three-sport star at Chaffey High School, was injured more often than not during his college days. 

He missed part of the 1978 national championship season at USC, as knee problems continually sidelined him. 

Then, when all things looked to be in place, Munoz was hurt in the first game of his senior year. Another knee injury. Another season lost. 

Surely he would sit out the year. 

But he didn't, making a remarkable comeback in time to play in that year's Rose Bowl game. 

"I have never seen an individual work so hard toward a goal in my life," said Robinson. "He would be out there running all alone during practices. You could see the pain he was in, but he never quit. That wasn't in his makeup." 

There was no guarantee the Trojans would make the Rose Bowl that year, and no guarantee Munoz could play in the game even if they did. 

"He showed us all a lot of courage then," said Trojan teammate Brad Budde. "He kept us going. We could never quit in a practice. When we were down, hurting, you could look over and see Anthony working out. No way we could quit." 

Munoz played in that Rose Bowl game, helping the Trojans dominate the Ohio State defensive front. And it was behind Munoz that Charles White ran on the final, game-winning drive, scoring behind the big tackle. 

"It was something to really watch," said then USC quarterback Paul McDonald. "The way he played that game was really something." 

Despite a history of knee troubles, the Bengals drafted him third overall in 1980. It proved to be one of the safest gambles ever taken by an NFL team. 

But there is more to this gentle giant than just football. He is much deeper than that. 

You never heard his name in any negative way, as he played the perfect role model. He is still a leader in the Cincinnati community as well as his hometown of Ontario. 

"I look at the journey I started in Ontario and I very easily could have taken a different path," Munoz said. "There were a lot of other things to be involved in. But because of God's grace, he allowed me to take my path. 

"There were obstacles, some tough times and bad decisions I made. But because of His grace, He allowed me to accomplish the goal. There are men who were placed in my life to aid me in that journey. I'm thankful God did not send me out there alone. 

"I didn't wrap everything - my person, my work - into who I was as a football player. I really worked hard on doing a lot in the offseason. I worked extremely hard preparing for the next year. But I also developed friendships away from the game. And those friendships are still there. Not surface friendships, but deep-rooted friendships. 

"That's what I tell a lot of guys. Establish friendships that don't care if you're an NFL football player. My friends, they don't care that I was a player and don't care if I ever play another down. It's friendships that are important." 

Friends and family. And today, with all eyes on him, Munoz probably won't leave one of them dry.