Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz Opens Athlete Management Firm

Market Wire, 20050229

Integrity First Management, launched this month by Pro Football Hall of Fame Offensive Lineman Anthony Muñoz and partners, will provide management services for professional athletes, specializing in offensive lineman.

Integrity First Management has signed its first two clients under contract to manage their prospective professional football careers: Jacob Bell of Miami (Ohio) and Joe Tate of Michigan State University.

Integrity First Management is a full-service agency offering a variety of services, including position-specific skill training, strength and speed training, nutrition counseling, media coaching and community relations planning.

Clients of Integrity First Management will work directly with Muñoz and former Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Back and Pro Bowler Eric Thomas to improve their strength, speed and conditioning. Sports nutritionist Dawn Weatherwax will also consult with clients in addition to former ESPN Anchor Betsy Ross who will provide media coaching and interview preparation.

"We want to change the paradigm of the athlete management business," said Anthony Muñoz, who is the only Bengal player and Latino to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "Our goal is to help professional athletes reach their potential on and off of the field with integrity."

As a senior at University of Southern California, Muñoz won the Lombardi Trophy for the nation's top college lineman, and he played on three Rose Bowl teams, including the 1978 national championship team. In 1980, Cincinnati took Muñoz with the third overall pick of the draft. He went on to play for 13 years for the Bengals where he was elected to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls and elected All-Pro 11 consecutive years from 1981-1991 .

Jacob Bell

Jacob Bell, 6'5", 295 lb. offensive lineman from Miami of Ohio, is from Euclid, Ohio, and a graduate of St. Ignatius High School. His offensive line blocking skills have been cited as one reason for the success of Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2003, all new school single-season records.

Joe Tate

Joe Tate, 6'5", 295 lb. offensive lineman from Michigan State University, is from Southfield, Michigan and a graduate of Southfield-Lathrup. Tate was a three-year starter for the Spartans. Tate was recognized by the Big Ten with the Outstanding Sportsman Award, and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

Contact: Jackie Reau (513) 929-4263