Monk, Green Inducted Into Hall of Fame
TWO FOR THE HALL
Darrell Green had a short wait for football immortality. For Art Monk, it was a long time coming. Both of these Redskins greats were selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2008 on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Six months later, on Saturday, Aug. 2, Green and Monk were formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in ceremonies in Canton, Ohio. Redskins fans flocked to Canton by the thousands to pay tribute to their heroes.
It was a special day. A Redskins day.
 In Moving Speech, Green Reflects On His Career | Speech Transcript
For Monk, An ’Awesome, Awesome Moment’ | Speech Transcript
Former Redskins assistant coach Emmitt Thomas was also inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 2. Thomas served as a wide receivers coach for Monk in 1986 and a defensive backs coach for Green from 1987-94. (Thomas earned induction as a player; he was a standout cornerback with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1966-78.)
Green and Monk were two of the central figures in the Redskins’ Super Bowl championship teams during the 1980s and early 1990s.
They join Joe Gibbs and John Riggins as Hall of Famers from that era of Redskins football.
Green was in his first year of eligibility; Monk made it in his eighth year. Both are among the most popular Redskins in franchise history.
ART MONK AND DARRELL GREEN: A RETROSPECTIVE
Art Monk was a first-round draft pick (18th overall) by the Redskins in 1980. He would go on to play 16 NFL seasons, including the first 14 with Washington.
Monk finished his career with 940 receptions for 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns in 224 career games. He was the first NFL player to catch more than 900 career passes and he retired as the game’s all-time leader in receptions.
Monk was the Redskins’ MVP in 1984 when he became the first NFL player to record more than 100 receptions in a season. (He finished with 106.) He also caught at least one pass in 183 consecutive games.
Monk was at his best when the offense needed a catch to keep a drive alive. He converted nearly two-thirds, or 64 percent, of his 940 receptions into first downs.
Darrell Green was a first-round draft pick (28th overall) by the Redskins in 1983. He was regarded as an elite cornerback and a game-breaking punt returner who was an asset to the NFL on the field and in the community.
Standing at just 5-9, Green overcame long odds to play 20 seasons at one of the NFL’s most competitive positions. He finished his career playing in 295 games with 258 starts.
Green recorded a total of 1,321 tackles, 59 interceptions, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He also scored 11 touchdowns (eight by interception return, two by fumble return and one on a punt return).
Green earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl (1984, 1986-87, 1990-91, 1996-97). He was named NFL Man of the Year in 1996 for community service and was awarded the Bart Starr Humanitarian Award.
NEWS & FEATURES
Monk, Green Receive Their Hall of Fame Rings -- Nov. 16, 2008
Redskins Contribute $200,000 to Monk, Green Charities -- June 23, 2008
Monk, Green to Hall: Recognition For An Era, Too -- Feb. 5, 2008
Monk, Green Reflect On Hall of Fame Honor -- Feb. 5, 2008
Monk, Green Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame -- Feb. 2, 2008
Monk Always Let His Play Do the Talking -- Feb. 2, 2008
For Green, 20 Years of Cherished Memories -- Feb. 2, 2008
A Monk Memory: Breaking the Receptions Record -- Jan. 30, 2007
Hall of Fame Voting: A New Hope For Monk? -- Nov. 28, 2006
Good Samaritan’s Bowl a Redskins Effort -- Feb. 2, 2005
In Hall of Fame Voting, Monk Deserves Better -- Jan. 30, 2005
In ’87 Title Game, Green’s Stop Lifted Redskins -- Jan. 21, 2005
Gibbs: Monk Belongs In the Hall -- Jan. 30, 2004
VIDEOS
 Monk, Green Announce ’Route 281’ Charity Tour -- May 7, 2008
Darrell Green Exclusive Interview -- Feb. 7, 2008
Art Monk Exclusive Interview -- Feb. 7, 2008
Monk, Green Honored In Reception At Redskins Park -- Feb. 7, 2008
Art Monk After Hall of Fame Announcement -- Feb. 2, 2008
Darrell Green After Hall of Fame Announcement -- Feb. 2, 2008
Pro Football Hall of Fame Press Conference -- Feb. 2, 2008
A Tribute to Art Monk -- Jan. 17, 2007
NOTABLE QUOTES
- "When you’re looking at the value to a team or the value of the person who’s playing--Art Monk was a big strong guy who wasn’t afraid to go inside and catch the ball in the middle of the field. He caught most of his passes in the middle--I think he had the toughest yards. Of course, we could have played him outside all the time, but we didn’t do that. I always thought that went to his credit--his stats actually could have been much more." -- Hall of Fame Redskins coach Joe Gibbs
- "Art was huge for a wide receiver, he could run, he had great hands, he was very physical, he had the talent, and he had the work ethic. I kind of molded myself a little after him, just watching the way he worked out. We spent many summers running sprints on the track. He was one of the hardest workers." -- Former Redskins tight end and pro scout Don Warren
- "I am so fortunate to count Darrell, [his wife] Jewell and the rest of the Green family among my friends. I know how much Redskins fans mean to them, and it is such an accurate reflection of what they mean to us. Art may be the classiest Redskin ever. He never let up on the field, and in his off-the-field activities he let his work speak loudly for itself. His entry into the Hall is long overdue, but that is all behind us now. We’ll be celebrating with him and for him for years to come." -- Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder
- "In Art and Darrell, I have never seen two people who have been loved so much, and it comes from how they played the game and what they did do in the community. There were a lot of guys who played extremely hard--by their side--but never achieved the kind of respect they deserve, because of the way they lived their life and the way that they played the game. I take my hat off to both of them because they are a tribute to the Redskins legacy. They played the game the way it should have been played: all heart, all 100 percent, giving it all you have." -- Redskins great Gary Clark
- "It was so exceptional for a cornerback to play for that long. I tell Darrell, ’The Lord must have blessed you with tremendous talent and speed for you to play that long. He has great moral character and is a great family guy. He meant a lot to our community. He takes care of himself and is extremely well trained. He was a dynamic leader on our team and a great producer. You could not find a person better qualified who played that long and did all the things he did." -- Hall of Fame Redskins coach Joe Gibbs
- "Darrell signifies perseverance and competitiveness and is an all-around great guy at the same time. A guy like him is really hard to find. He has always been a stalwart in the community and he’s always maintained a good heart." -- Hall of Fame Redskin Bobby Mitchell
- "Probably one of the best defensive backs to play the game and I think a credit to the game off the field, also. Whenever it came time to play Darrell, I had to get myself going and I knew it was going to be [tough] because he was going to come with everything. He is one of the guys that you draw inspiration from and I’ve enjoyed playing with him." -- NFL great wide receiver Jerry Rice
- "Younger players should look at Darrell Green in terms of their careers and say, ’I would like to model my career after him. He has learned the game and knows the game. He found a way to stay at the top of the game for a long time. I think Darrell is a great inspiration to a lot of people. It is an honor and a privilege to have been on the same field with him and share his enthusiasm for the game as well as his competitive spirit in the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry. -- NFL great running back Emmitt Smith
- "I think trying to copy Darrell Green’s style as corner is impossible. The way he played was unique and I don’t see another defensive back having a similar style. To play in the league as long as he did is unheard of. I hope I am able to last as long as him." -- Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey
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