It’s often argued that former Redskins wide receiver Art Monk never had a signature moment or signature catch.
Those who agree with that assessment need only to look back to Oct. 13, 1992, to be proven wrong.
On that night, Art Monk was in the spotlight of the football world--and it was an occasion that was something really special.
As all Redskins fans are well aware, on that evening, in the course of a 34-3 Washington win over the Denver Broncos at RFK Stadium, Monk became the NFL’s all-time leading receiver.
With career catch No. 820, Monk passed Steve Largent of Seattle (1977-89) as the NFL’s all-time leader. Largent was inducted into the Hall in 1995.
"You don’t know what a relief this is," Monk told reporters following that Monday Night achievement in front of 56,371 Redskins fans and a national TV audience.
Monk’s record breaker came on a partly cloudy and relatively warm early autumn night. With 3:12 left in the game, Mark Rypien found Monk for a 10-yard gain down the right sideline. Steve Atwater knocked Monk out of bounds at the Denver 24.
With that, Monk entered the NFL record book. He was swarmed by teammates as he pumped his fist into the October air.
On that night 15 years ago, some of the names on the field for the Redskins in addition to Monk and Rypien were Charles Mann, Gary Clark, Jim Lachey, Joe Jacoby, Mark Schlereth, Don Warren and Earnest Byner.
Playing for Denver were John Elway, Shannon Sharpe, Dennis Smith, Karl Mecklenburg and Atwater.
"It’s a big burden off my shoulders. I’m kind of glad it’s over with," Monk said after passing Largent. "I was very nervous before the game and that’s not something I’m used to. I really just didn’t know how to handle it."
Joe Gibbs told the media: "[Art’s] one of the classier guys in pro sports. Family. Community. Dedication. You name it, and Art Monk is tops."
Denver head coach Dan Reeves added: "He’s taken care of himself on and off the field. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. He seems to be getting better with age."
It was a night on which Monk, then in his 13th season with the Redskins, produced seven catches for 69 yards to help his team rebound from a tough 27-24 loss at Phoenix. He finished with 46 catches in 1992.
After moving on to the Jets in 1994 and Philadelphia in 1995, Monk wrapped up his 16-year NFL career with 940 catches, 12,721 receiving yards and 68 TDs.
When he moved into first place among all NFL wide receivers, Monk said: "It was important to do it in Washington, D.C., where the fans have given me so much support. I’m glad I was able to do it in front of them."
He added: "The record means a lot to me. The Lord put me in the right situation with the right team in the right city."
