Max Montoya was a seventh-round pick out of UCLA in 1979 but turned into one of the better guards in the NFL in his 11 years with the Bengals. He was an anchor in the interior but also was athletic, allowing the Bengals to employ elements of what is now called the zone run-blocking scheme. Montoya went to three Pro Bowls with Cincinnati and was a key starter on both Super Bowl teams.
“In that era we played in, he was, from a pass protector and as a pulling guard, as good as there was," said teammate and fellow guard Dave Lapham.