Art Monk

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Full Name: J. Arthur Monk Primary Position: WR Height/Weight: 6' 3"/210 College: Syracuse University Birthdate: December 5, 1957 High School: White Plains (NY) Birthplace: White Plains, New York Pro Experience: 16 years

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[edit] Biography

James Arthur Monk (born December 5, 1957, in White Plains, New York), is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League. Nicknamed "Quiet Man" or simply "#81" for his humble and professional demeanor, he played collegiately at Syracuse University as a running back. The Washington Redskins drafted Monk in 1980 and converted him to flanker, a position that he pioneered as a member of Coach Joe Gibbs' innovative offense. Along with Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders, he was part of a prolific wide receiver trio nicknamed "The Posse," as they became one of the rare trio of wide receivers in NFL history to post 1,000-plus yards in the same season (1989). At the end of his career, he played briefly for the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL honored Monk by naming him to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

With the Redskins, Monk played in Super Bowl XVIII, Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI. He also won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the team in Super Bowl XVII, but did not play in it due to injury. His most impressive Super Bowl performance was in Super Bowl XXVI, recording 7 catches for 113 yards. Monk finished his 16 NFL seasons with 940 receptions for 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns, along with 332 rushing yards.

[edit] Pro Football HOF worthy?

Monk's most noteworthy NFL accomplishment was his record for career receptions (940), broken by Jerry Rice during the final week of 1995, Monk's last season in the league. Despite being the first to eclipse 900 receptions, as well as retiring with the single season receptions record (106) and the most consecutive games with a catch (183), Art Monk has been passed over several times for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Peter King and Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated magazine have been outspoken about their respective decisions not to support Monk as a Hall of Fame nominee. However, Monk also has numerous supporters in the media including Washington Post sportswriter and ESPN personality Michael Wilbon [1], his former coach Joe Gibbs [2], Sirius NFL Radio Host and former New York Jets Director of Player Development Pat Kirwan Template:Fact, Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian [3], and current Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells [4]. One factor Kings cites is that Monk only made the Pro Bowl 3 times in 16 seasons.[5] However, other players have been enshrined in the hall of fame while making an equal or even fewer number of pro bowl selections, such as Monk's teamate John Riggins, who only made the pro bowl once. On June 6, 2006, King announced that he was going to consult with Joe Gibbs, re-think his position on Monk, and consider voting in favor of enshrining him into the Hall of Fame.[6]

From the modern era, there are 24 running backs in the Hall of Fame, 23 quarterbacks, but only 17 wide receivers. Monk was named the 91st best football player of all time by the Sporting News, ranking him behind only 8 receivers.

Art Monk helped found the Good Samaritan Foundation with his Washington teammates Charles Mann, Tim Johnson and Earnest Byner. Monk also lends his name to a youth/high school football camp.

The most prominent anti-Monk argument, often cited by Peter King, is that Monk was not the most feared Redskins receiver on his team throughout his tenure; instead opposing teams feared fellow Redskins wide recevier Gary Clark more. Critics of this argument note that both Monk and Clark were feared by opposition defenses, but for different reasons. Monk always got the tough 8 yard completion on 3rd and 7, while Clark would run the post and hitch and go to give the Redskins a huge touchdown. By this line of argumentation, Clark's production should not detract from Monk's Canton credentials, it should enhance them, because Monk's precise route running allowed Gary Clark to be as productive as he was.

ArmchairGM users, on the contrary, have decided that Monk is worthy and have elected him to the ArmchairGM Hall of Fame.

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