Who else could it possibly be?

Drafted third overall in the 1980 NFL Draft from USC, Anthony Muñoz joined Cincinnati after excelling in both football and baseball at college, winning national titles in each. Despite significant knee injuries that kept him out for most of his last two college seasons and led several teams to pass on him, the Bengals made a strategic gamble. This choice laid the groundwork for the franchise's success over the next 13 years and is often regarded as producing the NFL's greatest offensive tackle.

Muñoz, standing 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 278 pounds, redefined what edge pass protectors are capable of. With basketball-style footwork and exceptional upper-body strength, he could handle top pass rushers independently, without assistance from tight ends or running backs. His intense offseason training—lifting heavy weights and running stadium stairs—built his exceptional fourth-quarter stamina. In pass protection, his wide stance and forceful hand strikes effectively countered both speedy rushers and powerful bull-rushers. In the running game, he demonstrated explosive lateral quickness, allowing him to reach block interior tackles or ascend to the second level to block linebackers.

Muñoz made an instant impact as a rookie in 1980, starting all 16 games and earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors while nearly halving the sacks surrendered by Cincinnati's offensive line. His sophomore season in 1981 launched an unmatched decade of individual dominance. Anchoring Ken Anderson's blind side, Muñoz earned his first First-Team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowl trip while powering the Bengals to an AFC Central title, a victory in the icy "Freezer Bowl," and an appearance in Super Bowl XVI.

From 1981 to 1991, Muñoz achieved an impressive streak of 11 consecutive Pro Bowl selections. He was awarded First-Team All-Pro honors in nine of those seasons (1981–1983, 1985–1990) and received Second-Team All-Pro recognition in two (1984, 1991). Additionally, he was named NFL Players Association Lineman of the Year four times (1981, 1985, 1988, 1989) and was recognized as NFL Alumni Association Offensive Lineman of the Year four times (1987, 1989–1991).

His athletic versatility made him a weapon near the goal line. Lining up as a tackle-eligible receiver on short-yardage plays, Muñoz caught seven career passes for 18 yards and four touchdowns, including a touchdown reception from rookie Boomer Esiason against Cleveland in 1984.

During Cincinnati's 1988 championship season, Muñoz served as the physical anchor for the league's top-ranked rushing attack. He led the way for Ickey Woods and James Brooks as the Bengals stormed to a 12–4 record and advanced to Super Bowl XXIII, where his line gave up zero sacks in a heartbreaking 20-16 loss to San Francisco.

Off the field, Muñoz established himself as a Pillar in the Queen City community. His charitable devotion earned him the 1991 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, highlighting a career dedicated to youth programs and civic leadership across Southwestern Ohio.

Battling lingering injuries in 1992, Muñoz played eight games in his final year in Cincinnati before retiring after 13 seasons. Across his regular-season career in stripes, he played in 185 games, starting 182 of them.

Selected to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Muñoz represents the gold standard for his position. His legacy received its ultimate national recognition when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 on his first ballot, standing as the first primary Bengal to enter Canton. In 2021, when the franchise created the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor, Muñoz was enshrined as an inaugural charter member.

Muñoz will likely be number one for decades to come.