USA Football

Art Monk, a member of USA Football’s Board of Directors, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008 Saturday at a press conference from the Super Bowl XLII Media Center in downtown Phoenix. 

 

A first-round draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 1980, Monk was a unanimous all-rookie selection and his 58 receptions were a Redskins’ rookie record. Nine times during his 16-season career with the Redskins, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles, the former Syracuse star exceeded 50 catches in a season and five times gained more than 1,000 receiving yards. He also set NFL records for most catches in a season (106), and most consecutive games with at least one reception (164). His consecutive games with a reception streak extended to 183 games. In 1992, with his 820th career catch, he became the NFL's then-all-time leader in receptions. He finished his career with 940 receptions

 

As one of 16 USA Football Board Members, Monk helps steer the national governing body of America’s favorite sport on youth and amateur levels.  USA Football is an independent non-profit based outside of Washington, D.C., and provides coaching and officiating education and other resources through usafootball.com and 100 football education events per year benefiting youth leagues and high school programs.  USA Football was endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 and is chaired by former U.S. Congressman and Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp.

 

“Whether I deserved to play in the NFL or even make it to the Hall of Fame,” said Monk, “I just loved the game.  I’m greatly honored … I’m humbled.”

 

Joining Monk in the spectacular Class of 2008 are defensive end Fred Dean, cornerback Darrell Green, cornerback Emmitt Thomas, linebacker Andre Tippett and tackle Gary Zimmerman

 

Monk, at 6-3, 210 pounds, was a prototype for today's bigger, stronger receivers. He got off the line of scrimmage quickly and never hesitated to run patterns across the middle of the field. He was a master of the short pass route that often left defenses unable to adjust, allowing for substantial gains.

 

Monk was a major part of the powerful Redskins teams that were dominant during the 1980s. During his 14 seasons with the Redskins, the team won three Super Bowls (XVII, XXII, and XXVI) and had just three losing seasons. It was, however, in 1984 that Monk had his finest season when he caught eight or more passes in six games, had five games of 100 yards or more and in a game against the San Francisco 49ers caught 10 passes for 200 yards. His outstanding play earned him team MVP honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. His season totals of 106 catches for 1,372 yards were career highs.

 

Monk went over the 1,000-yard mark in each of the following two seasons, becoming the first Redskins receiver to produce three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. He also became the first Redskins player to catch 70 or more passes in three consecutive seasons.

 

Washington coach Joe Gibbs claimed his star receiver was the complete package. He called him the strongest outside receiver he'd ever coached, and was quick to point out his effectiveness at catching passes inside. "He's big, he's strong, he's intelligent, he has everything," the Hall of Fame coach remarked.

 

Monk was an All-Pro and All-NFC choice in 1984 and 1985 and was named second-team All-NFC in 1986. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl following the 1984, 1985 and 1986 seasons.

 

USA Football’s Board of Directors:

 

Ray Anderson

Executive Vice President of Football Operations

National Football League

 

Jason Belser

Regional Director

NFL Players Association

 

Joe Browne

Executive Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs

National Football League

 

Jon Butler

Executive Director

Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

 

Tom Cove

President & CEO

SGMA International

 

Carl Francis

Director of Communications

NFL Players Association

 

Alexia Gallagher

Director, Youth Football

National Football League

 

Bob Gardner

Chief Operating Officer

National Federation of State High School Associations

 

Roger Goodell

Commissioner

National Football League

 

Mark Meana

Commissioner

Fairfax (Va.) County Youth Football League

 

Art Monk

President

Alliant Merchant Services

 

Keith V. Rucker

Head Football Coach

Cincinnati Mt. Healthy High School

 

Frank Sanchez
Vice President, Corporate & Partner Relationships
Boys & Girls Clubs of America

 

Grant Teaff
Executive Director
American Football Coaches Association

Gene Upshaw
Executive Director
NFL Players Association

Deborah A. Yow

Athletic Director

University of Maryland

 

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Photos courtesy of Getty Images.