There is so much interest in our great sport around the country that there are numerous Halls of Fame dedicated to honoring those players who helped make football so popular on all levels.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the most exclusive club, but the list also includes the College Football Hall of Fame, Black College Football Hall of Fame, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, and National High School Football Hall of Fame.
NFL alumni Ron Rivera and Anthony Munoz decided it was time to preserve and promote the impact of Hispanic individuals who have helped shape the game. Consequently, the two alums co-founded last month the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame. Its charter class of inductees is scheduled to be enshrined next spring. Both men will serve as founding board members along with other NFL alums such as Bengals Pro Bowl veteran Max Montoya.
“Football has always been a sport that unites people of all backgrounds,” Rivera says. “The new Hispanic Football Hall of Fame will give us an opportunity to tell the stories of incredible people who not only achieved greatness on the field but also opened doors and inspired countless young people in our communities.”
Rivera, who played and coached in the league from 1984-2023, is of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent. He currently is the General Manager of the football program at his alma mater Cal-Berkeley.
Munoz was inducted into the Hall in Canton in 1998. He was born and raised in Ontario (CA) and his grandparents are natives of Chihuahua, Mexico. He created the eponymous Anthony Munoz Foundation in 2002 to consolidate his various charitable activities.
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame also plans to work in partnership with the NFL league office to host an International Flag Football Championship and camps featuring top Hispanic high school players.
We at NFL Alumni are ready to help in any way we can to launch this new Hall of Fame honoring many of our Hispanic brothers.
