NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Growing up in the DMV and the Cardoso household, ONE thing ran true in 99% of homes. You had to be a Washington Redskins/Commanders fan, or you could eat and sleep outside. For my family, my mother loved how Coach Gibbs brought the Lord into the locker room, and she loved Doug Williams for showing that a black man can play quarterback in the NFL at a high level. So after church, MANY a Sunday was spent living and dying with every play, and one guy in particular was ALWAYS making plays.
Drafted out of Syracuse University, Art Monk, a 5th-round pick, is one of the best wide receivers to step on a football field. Standing at 6’3, he was a large target but also had some speed to get away from defenders if he had to. He was part of “The Posse,” along with Gary Clark, who should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Ricky Sanders. For 14 years, he was the glue guy for Washington. Slant route on 3rd and long, it was Monk snagging passes and sometimes taking the big hit, but holding on to the ball. He hung up his cleats with 940 receptions, making him the league’s all-time leader until the record was later broken by Jerry Rice.
He joins Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Darrell Green, Sonny Jurgensen, and Sean Taylor as players with retired numbers. This is just another example of how Josh Harris and the ownership group are showing respect and love to the legends of the past. This should have been done years ago, but the evil man we had in the past only cared about the bottom line, not legacy. The November 2nd game versus the Seattle Seahawks is where the ceremony takes place, as well as the team wearing the throwbacks worn during Monk’s playing days. Gary Clark said, “You showed us what greatness looked like every single day with your work ethic and your humility and how you carried this franchise with dignity.”
After opening the door and seeing all the familiar faces at his door, Art’s reaction was just what you would expect from the humble red zone threat, “I’m just so honored, I’m so thankful…. I played the game because I loved the game and I loved to play.” He had so many big grabs and records, first to catch a touchdown pass in 15 consecutive seasons. He also caught a pass in 183 games in a row. He has 3 Super Rings and was selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
For long time, Washington Commanders fans his number joining the greats is a big deal. A lot of our favorite memories involve number 81 making a play. Well-deserved Art Monk, a quiet leader who played the game with class. HAIL!
