CANTON, Ohio – Steelers' offensive line coach Mike Munchak got a rare day off at practice on Thursday, and it was for good reason.
Munchak, the Hall of Fame guard, was in Canton for the Gold Jacket Dinner on Thursday night, and took part in activities at the Hall of Fame on Friday morning as well.
"It's great to be able to do it," said Munchak. "It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since I have been inducted. When you drive here it brings back all of those memories like it happened last year. To come back and visit and get to meet the new class that is going in and see a lot of old friends, some of my old teammates, it's a great reunion."
One of the events that Munchak attended was the Ray Nitschke Luncheon, which is limited to Hall of Famers only.
"It's just the guys in the Hall of Fame and the returning guys have the chance to talk about what this means to them," said Munchak. "The new guys don't talk. They listen to how much this means to a lot of people and why. We have a common bond and it's a nice afternoon."
Munchak, who will be back in Latrobe on Friday night for practice, said it's still special every time he puts his Gold Jacket on.
"It's humbling," said Munchak. "It's not something I gave a lot of thought to. To make it to the NFL was a dream come true. To have something like that happen after your career, and you are part of this fraternity, it never crossed my mind this would happen. You are honored and privileged. You don't do it by yourself. So many people contributed. When I put the jacket on, when I put the ring on, it's a memory of all of the people that helped me."
