At long last, Redskins' receiver Art Monk will be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It took eight long years to finally add the man who once held the all-time receptions record, single season receptions record and record for consecutive games with a reception (they have since all been broken).
As a Redskins fan, I couldn't be happier. It's about time. Not only were his numbers worthy of consideration, but he was one the classiest players the NFL has ever seen. It's also sweet since Darrell Green, the Redskins' cornerback who also exudes class. Green made it in on his first try.
As I said, both had the numbers to get in. But what makes them Redskins' legends are their contributions off the field:
Green, 47, started the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation in 1988, a learning center to help underprivileged children to improve learning skills. It is still in operation today. Monk, 50, has run the Good Samaritan Foundation, which feeds the poor and also helps children with learning, for 15 years with former teammate Charles Mann.
Green is the fastest player to ever wear burgundy and gold. There is the legendary punt return against the Bears in the playoffs and him running down Eric Dickerson. Monk wasn't a highlight receiver. All he did was make catches the kept drives alive and was one of the best possession receivers of his time.
It also shows some respect to those 1980s Redskins teams that won three Super Bowls and four NFC Championships. However, the only Hall of Famers from that era were John Riggins and Joe Gibbs. Monk and Green now join the list.
As Skins' blog The Curly R beautifully said, "I feel like a kid again."
That's exactly what this 32 year old fan feels.
This also could mean that the Redskins will be one of the teams selected to play in the NFL's Hall of Fame game. A Redskins weekend full of Redskins of the past and present.




















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-03-2008 @ 1:40AM
RAW said...
It wasn't Dickerson, Green was famous for running but Tony Dorsett.
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Reply from Sportz Assassin:
Actually, he did it to both.
Reply
2-03-2008 @ 1:42AM
RAW said...
It wasn't Dickerson Green was famous for running down Tony Dorsett.
Reply
2-03-2008 @ 10:59AM
Cape Codda said...
A) JamieMottram's work on Monk's behalf was not only vindicated... they threw in the cornerback, too!
B) As far as run-downs from behind.... I was just a kid, but I saw Adam V from the Patriots take down a full-speed Herschel Walker (who was appearantly in one of his easy-to-tackle personalities). I haven't been impressed since.
C) The old-timers tell me that some clunky linebacker ran down Red Grange from behind. Red got up, saw who had chased him down... and walked off the field, never to play again.
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2-04-2008 @ 8:40PM
Jacksonreston said...
I am 48 years old I have had two sports idols in my lifetime. Eddie Murray was one and Art Monk was the other. I was there when Eddie got in, and I have already made my canton plans for Art. Great player better man and few people have deserved it more
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