Do You Football Fans Remember Chuck Muncie?
As I’ve admitted many times, I’m clueless about football and couldn’t tell the difference between a split end and a rear end. So the name “Chuck Muncie” meant nothing to me – until I mentioned to my husband that he wanted to talk to me about the book.
“Chuck Muncie was a huge star with the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers in the ’70s and ’80s,” said Michael. “And he was runner up for the Heisman Trophy when he was at UC, Berkley.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Michael also explained that Muncie retired in ’84 after testing positive for cocaine. His addiction eventually landed him in a California federal prison for 18 months. He emerged a changed man, turning his life around by creating a non-profit organization called the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation, which mentors at-risk kids in Southern California.
Recently, Muncie and his partners launched KadyTV.com, a Web-based television network that broadcasts local college and high school sports and has an ambitious agenda for additional programming – including “The Muncie Report” on which Chuck will interview guests in the sports world.
That’s where I come in. Chuck invited me on his show, and I look forward to meeting him.
Life is funny, all right. I had just been blogging about A-Rod and Phelps – two star athletes who need to rehab their images – when along came Chuck, a star athlete who managed to do just that.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
I remember him! You should enjoy meeting him. His story is a feel good one when at times there seem to be so few in sports. And Jane, I have to ask a question – Jonathan “Pap-smear”? Really Jane, your intense “dislike” of the Red Sox shines brightly in your book. This Red Sox fan is not feeling the love. Or since a pap -smear is a potentially life saving test for women are you saying that he is a great player – you know, a great saver? Maybe I’ve broken the code!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
That is flippin’ awesome! Seriously, that’s a great thing, Jane. Very cool. Now you just need a sit down with Michael Irvin and you’re good to go. Steve Howe? Sorry to make light; I”m not. That’s really cool. I have had my own battles, so I know what it means.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
There you go, Julia. You’ve broken the code. But seriously, have you not been to a Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway? The Yankees get called names far worse than the silly nickname I gave Papelbon.
Steve Howe. He’s no longer with us, Jeff!
I have old football cards of that guy-I know he was an all-pro. That’s pretty neat that he sought you out. You’re as much a celebrity as he is-he should feel just as privileged that you accepted!
BTW, besides a few burp-ups and drool (not from me!?), your book is rolling right along…lovin’ it!
http://thehappyyoungster.mlblogs.com/
It’s always nice to read about someone who turned their life around to do good after paying the consequences for their mistakes.
On the lighter side, does anyone else think that the photo on his football card makes him look like he’s wearing one of those plastic nose-and-glasses combos? Maybe it’s just me. 🙂
Sue
Rants, Raves, and Random Thoughts
Great to hear how he has turned his life around. I remember those 19 TDs in ’81.
Everyone buy Jane’s new book at:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Confessions-of-a-She-Fan/Jane-Heller/e/9781594868986/?itm=7
Mark/MLB.com
http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com
LOL, Happy. I’m picturing the burps and drools landing on the book and giving it “character.” I remember that my editor used to send me back my manuscripts with drops of coffee (and maybe scotch?) on it.
About the glasses, Sue….My husband told me that Chuck was known for wearing goggles under his helmet!
Thanks for the visit, Mark, and for overseeing the tech glitch. I panicked last night. 🙂
I’m too young (apparently) to know who that is, but his story is a good one. Let us know when you’re on his show!
Jen
http://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com
I will, Jen. Thanks.
Anytime someone, pro sports or not, can turn their life around and become a sucess in life should be acknowledged. I’m glad to hear about stories such as his.
Tom
http://rockymountainway.mlblogs.com
And Jane I’m sure the Yankee fans have NEVER called a Red Sox player/fan a bad name. Our fans at least had the grace NOT to boo the Yankees who played in the last All-star game in Fenway park. Sadly, the Yankee fans can’t say that. We all heard it on National Television.
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Me too, Tom. He sounds like a very good man, working with kids all over SoCal.
Julia, it’s a rivalry. We know that. Breathe.
Chuck Muncie was a helluva player back when the outside the field drug scene took some great players away from the game.
Back then it was performance enhancing drugs, they actually hurt your performance by racing your heart and making you try thing you would not be able to do normally. Muncie, was a great player that got caught up in the bar scene and did not leave the good time there.
A person who gets into drug then did not have the valuable options of rehab in the same vein as today’s athletes. There was rehab, but it was not the posh, luxurious mental health day that athletes and celebrities get to show off now. But rising from those ashes is the important thing……..and for that we clap loudly for the Muncie-man.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
With all the talk about steroids, Renegade, I’d sort of forgotten about the cocaine years. And you’re right about not having fancy rehab places back then. It was jail or nothing.