ELOY, Ariz. — It was a chance meeting of Bengals left tackles, past and future. Levi Jones, the Bengals' first-round draft pick in 2002, had just settled into his first-class seat late Monday afternoon at Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport when Bengals Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz walked onto the plane.

        Jones introduced himself as Munoz made his way back to his coach seat. It was the first time Jones had met Munoz, one of his boyhood heroes, in person. Jones wore No.78 in honor of Munoz and his other football hero, defensive end Bruce Smith.

        “I almost jumped out of my seat and hit my head on the baggage carrier above me,” Jones said of seeing Munoz.

        Munoz had called into a television sports talk show Sunday night, one day after the Bengals had drafted Jones, to congratulate him.

        On the plane, Jones didn't like the seating arrangement.

        “I went back there and said, "Look, it would be an honor for me for you to take my seat. Please. I haven't done anything yet. I'm just getting started. You've earned it. By all means, please take it,'” Jones said.

        “But he wouldn't do it. He said, "No, that's fine. Me and my friend right here need to talk. This is your time to shine. You just go have fun.'”

        Jones, who will wear No.76 in the NFL, is the first left tackle drafted in the first round by the Bengals since they used the third overall pick to take Munoz in 1980.

        Munoz was flying to Phoenix for a meeting with some potential partners in Athletes in Action and to his hometown of Ontario, Calif., for a charity dinner.

        “He came back and said, "Mr. Munoz, please take my seat,'” Munoz said. “It was a great gesture and shows what kind of guy he is.”

        Munoz and Jones exchanged phone numbers, and Munoz told Jones he would be available to help.

        “At left tackle, it's not only the physical makeup, but the mental makeup that is important,” Munoz said. “He seems to have that combination. It would be nice to see him there for 10 to 15 years.”

        Jones said his knowledge of the Bengals is limited, but he knows all about Munoz.

        “Anthony Munoz was a great tackle, the best left tackle to play the game,” Jones said. “I followed him a lot, watched him play, and my coaches always had me watching his film. I had his instructional video. Any left tackle who is anything to talk about has watched Anthony Munoz.”

        It's almost unfair to expect any left tackle to live up to Munoz's level of play. Jones, who was brought up by his preacher grandfather in Church of God in Christ, said he plans to follow Munoz's lead off the field.

        “He does a lot of good things in the community,” Jones said. “He's done a lot of great things. He has lived his life to the fullest. Not everybody can say they've lived their life as a good Christian. That's kind of my path. There's a lot of stuff I plan to give back. Put my faith into action.”

Bengals' Jones took unusual path to NFL Munoz takes back seat to Jones Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte

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