Art Monk Highlights: Hall of Fame arguments answered

This is a video put together to promote Art Monk's entry into the football hall of fame. Art Monk retired as the NFL's all-time receiving leader despite playing in the pre-pass-happy era of today. It was expected he would be a first ballot hall of famer at the time. Sadly, due to a flawed system and bias against soft spoken players he was not only passed by five years later but for waited another ten years before getting inducted. Monk never complained himself but a barrage of pressure from his peers and the public over the years finally forced some sports writers to change their votes (though some of them have said they did it only to stop the deluge of criticism they face every year). This video is great but there are tons of sites that list all of Monk's accomplishments and compare them to other wide receivers in the hall of fame. Until Jerry Rice was inducted, Monk had more receptions than anyone in the Hall of Famer.
I didn't put the video together, I found it on KZbin years ago but it was taken down by the uploader after Monk was finally inducted. I thought someone may want to see it again. I enjoy watching it now and then.

[@davideagin5321]

Can you imagine if Art Monk was selfish and played in our day? 1500yds+ and 10tds+ every year. But he cared more about winning and doing his job than he cared about his stats. And that's why he has 3 rings. A great player but an even better leader.

[@11kful]

Crazy part is.. he would've STILL gotten those stats and still been the same PERSON. If only we had the consistent annual QB for him. He had average QBs but they had skills that accumulated and acclimated his abilities Theismann had the intermediate routes, while Doug, Schroeder, and Rypien had the deep ball arms. And he was clutch: 3rd downs, reverses, Red Zone, great down field blocker...

[@douglashenry6996]

The fact that it took so long for him to be voted into the Hall of Fame is a disgrace. Steve Largent, whose all time reception record he broke, was elected in his first year of eligibility.

[@dmvbay2535]

FACTS

[@ZoraDiablo]

He's my uncle

[@lucyloo2228]

Jaguars Jimmy Smith deserves to be in the HOF too.

[@jer0051]

The most underrated receiver ever in my opinion, I think that Gary Clark should be in the HOF too..

[@59thfsaviation79]

You're 100% right. Check Swan and Stallworth, and then look at Clark's numbers. He's a HOF no doubt and would have been if he had a star or niners logo on his helmet.

[@jer0051]

@@59thfsaviation79 sad but true

[@lucyloo2228]

Jimmy Smith had a star on his helmet but he’s still waiting to get in the HOF.

[@jer0051]

@@lucyloo2228 honestly I had to look him up, the only receivers that were highlighted were Irvin and Harper and believe it or not I watched every Redskin/ Cowboys game up until they changed the name.. I don’t doubt that he was a great player and I don’t think that every single player deserves the HOF…

[@lucyloo2228]

@@jer0051 862 receptions with over 13,000 all purpose yards with 69 career TDs. Has a championship as a special teams player with Dallas. Didn’t become a full time starter until the age of 28. Took him 5 years of his NFL career to become a 16 game starter. Led the NFL in receptions in 1999. Had two seasons of 100 catches. Had 2 games of 200 yards. Had a career high 291 yards vs Ravens in 2001. 9 seasons with 1000 yards. Has 2 special teams TDs. Should have made the pro bowl in 1996 instead of Keenan McCardell. Was 1 catch shy of leading the NFL in catches in 2001. From 1995 to 2001 no player in the NFL had more catches or more yards than Jimmy Smith. 5 consecutive Pro Bowls, should have been 6 consecutive and he should have been All Pro in 1999.

[@demcjones]

Art Monk signed my HOF hat from when he was inducted I grew up in Washington DC close to RFK Stadium, my all time favorite player. ART MONK!!!

[@RonKent-not-Clark]

One of the nicest men I ever met and an amazing player. Well deserved!

[@zyxwut321]

Hall of Fame career, Hall of Fame man.

[@noneyabizz8337]

Saw him in a mall in the 90s, middle of nowhere essentially. He was GONE by the time my aunt and I said stuff back and forth then turned back to look at him. He saw us notice him, dipped.

[@kevinfisher3742]

He was and still is my favourite player of all time.

[@MrVvulf]

One of mine too. For similar reasons to why I loved Bill Russell and Tim Duncan. Humble greats who led by example both on and off the field (or court), and fostered a professional atmosphere around them.

[@wb9285]

ART MONK HOF END OF CONVERSATION HAIL TO THE REDSKINS FOREVER NEVER A COMMANDER NEVER

[@tbus809]

HOF Art Monk wow..... my no#1 receiver of all time. He was a perfect WR, my discussed with his career is the fact he never caught a touch down in a Superbowl he came ever so close. And why didn't they saw to it that he got one. Which kinda reminds me of Mike Ditka and Walter Payton career. But still was the greatest.

[@redmustangredmustang]

It was a crime it took that long for him to get in the hall, but I am just glad that he is in.

[@otaviofrn_adv]

man, it's good that he is in already, some guys are only inducted after their deaths.

[@thomaskercheval9117]

Nice to see this. I'm the the guy who made it. And yes, it WAS a labor of love. I sent this to every voter on the HOF committee because I was SO SICK AND TIRED of reading these utterly STUPID arguments from certain voters. I had a ton of old Redskin games in my collection, and I decided the best way to refute the arguments was with VISUAL EVIDENCE. So I started going through all the games and finding tons of that evidence and honestly addressing each argument while showing how wrong each argument was. I heard back from a few of the voters who appreciated this and said it helped sway their opinion. Mission accomplished. Not that Monk should've NEEDED any help. He should've been a first-ballot HOFer. But I was happy, and honored, to help push things along a little.

[@lucyloo2228]

Do you think WR Jimmy Smith belongs in the HOF?

[@rob12231]

Great work, both the video and the mission!

[@9ctc998]

​@@lucyloo2228.... Most definitely !!

[@toddharms4740]

This was very well done. Almost as if it were a labor of love

[@IneedJesusmost]

One of the best ever, great video!!

[@royw-g3120]

I think I read this once, in his 100 catch season he caught 28 passes on third down, 27 of them were for a first down.

[@redskinsftw]

He’s one of the greatest first down receivers ever

[@VTS128]

Monk was the go to guy, when you needed a big play! 💯

[@SellingDC]

Artfully argued and beautifully done.

[@1BrianSawyer]

been looking for this since it got deleted in 2008!!!

[@rhey81]

This is awesome man.. TY for this, seriously.. He deserves this just like the 4 min ovation..

[@kainecollins4278]

thank you to whoever made this.....growing up I watched art monk play football and it is my belief that he was/Is one of the greatest football players ever....That man could catch a ball from damn near Anywhere....he was truly Great but humble and an inspiration to me.

[@PickpocketJones]

Retired the all time leader in receptions and consecutive games with a reception yet hall voters were like "nah".

[@ynotnilknarf39]

when we first started getting NFL in UK in the earl 80s Washington were my team, Monk for me was a standout, a class athlete and human being. Massively deserved his HoF induction.

[@logicaldude3611]

Art Monk is in the Hall of Fame now for the same reason Terrell Owens wasn't for awhile. Was Monk the most talented receiver? No. Was he the fastest? No. Was he the most electric? No. He simply played the game quietly and as an unspoken leader who was respected by every single person who met him. When your best WR doesn't care about his stats, that bleeds into other players on the team. And it's not like Monk doesn't have the stats, he does. He could have accumulated a lot more numbers if that's what he cared about. When you're looking at the Redskins dynasty, you're looking at Joe Gibbs, Art Monk, and Darrell Green. Three of the most widely respected people in NFL history. It all worked because the coach, best offensive player, and best defensive player were all on the same page. Gary Clark may have eventually ended up as the "most talented" WR on the team, but he would be the first to tell you Art Monk was the best. That kind of leadership works wonders for a team.

[@otaviofrn_adv]

not a Redskin (or Commmander) fan, but let me add another name to that one. In a special mention, representing the Hogs, Joe Jacoby

[@redskinsman10]

I cant believe anyone thinks Monk isnt a HOFer

[@mikepuleo9375]

As a Dallas fan, all i can remember is him always catching the ball ,moving the chains and scoring tds.

[@cratedog64]

Art Monk is a legit HOF man. Keep in mind that he was the first to break the 100-catch in a season, he finished with 106 { I think } in 1984, when the Redskins had " th' Diesel " John Riggins and they were known for their power running game. When he retired he held most receiving records, and did it all with the upmost class. If you haven't seen his HOF induction, watch it, that says it all.

[@tohaz]

"Does Monk belong in the Hall of Fame?" Does a bear shit where ever it wants?!?!?!?!?

[@vinny6685]

Money Monk sums it up best , great player even greater man .

[@tommythomason6187]

Not only fast, but very physical, willing to dish out punishment.

[@RoarOfWolverine]

One record a lot of people may not know about Monk is that he holds the record for the longest ovation in history when announced for his enshrinement a the Hall Of Fame at 4 minutes and 4 seconds. Yeah, I think that says he belongs. Art Monk always reminded me of another hall of fame receiver for the Redskins, Charley Taylor. In fact, Charley Taylor was the receiver coach for all of Monk’s career. I think that’s why their play was similar. Taylor was a very tall, strong receiver who could play across the middle, where little receivers don’t dare to tread. Taylor and Monk were both punishing receivers who were also brutal downfield blockers. Playing across the middle is linebacker territory, rather than corners and safeties. Monk and Taylor were large enough to take the punishment from those linebackers. Proof was both of their longevity playing the WR position. Both Monk and Taylor held the most career receptions record at one time.

[@59thfsaviation79]

I was there! Booing Chris Berman was another epic moment. lol

[@59thfsaviation79]

People forget that he also ran defenders over. He didn't shy away from contact, and still has the record for most consecutive catches. He was a beast. He was the prototype for what was to come with big receivers.

[@Donjasoni]

Longest standing ovation in HOF history! One of the greatest Redskins and NFL players ever and a class act!

[@andrewsmith2326]

Great player and great person!

[@jim8252]

A pure football player. Not many of those in the NFL any longer.

[@Newbobdole]

I’ve shared this video numerous times with people interested in football history, it’s a shame not more people know about the Gibbs era teams

[@andan04]

And when Monk was enshrined at Canton, Dan Dierdorf could've said it again: "Good things do happen to good people."

[@Buzzdog1971]

The epitome of professional. Today players are worried about their 'legacy' while in their rookie contract.

[@peacesearcher4598]

Great years

[@MusicManSeanB]

He put up numbers in a predominately run first era. On 3rd down and whatever, you knew the ball was going to Monk, and defenders still couldn't stop him. His go to route was always the out route. Didn't matter if you needed 5, 10, 15, or even 20 yards, he was getting that first down. He also had the sneaky deep speed to beat you over the top if you tried cheating the out route.

[@tohaz]

When someone is the answer to a trivia question--YOU ARE A HALL OF FAME PLAYER!

[@jeremyparis3366]

The greatest football player to ever play the game #81 Art Monk #HTTRFORLIFE

[@ronaldwilliams-jp2wo]

The best that ever did it👍🏾👏🏾❤️🤩

[@PGHammer21A]

The majority of his completions were anything BUT easy - even the short ones. (The greatest evidence comes from Everson Walls and Ronnie Lott - two defensive backs that Monk victimized through his and their careers,)

[@royw-g3120]

They missed out his awesome block on Tony Lilley in SB XXII , dude played a dogs dinner after that.

[@johnliberty3647]

I am going to rewatch that game (probably for the 1000th time). and look for that block. At one time I had every play memorized in that superbowl, but I wasn't memorizing the blocks

[@user-uu9rv7zw4t]

He was one of the greatest receivers of all time. Anyone who thinks differently is dumb!

[@otaviofrn_adv]

agreed. And likely the most reliable on third down

[@pretorious700]

Art was low key, restrained, humble, and honorable. These qualities probably delayed his induction into the "hey, look at me"!!! Hall of Fame nonsense.

[@rbuthird]

Wish more receivers followed his example, lead by example and not your mouth. He made every type of catch one could ask for, blocked, made carries and put it on the line for his team.

[@otaviofrn_adv]

and besides, is really that bad that most of his catches are not super tough or acrobactic? It means, if anything, that he positions himself well in the field

[@j.b9346]

A lot of these Washington Redskins players of the Joe Gibbs era were low key great…no one was flashy just played great TEAM football…Art Monk deserves a lot more credit then he gets…Hopefully we get new ownership and get back to new glory days

[@otaviofrn_adv]

I think Josh Harris and co might bring Washington back in the competition soon. Fixing the mess of Snyder will take some time.

[@scottpelhamsr9500]

OK. I gave this a like and stopped at 10 seconds. DONE. There is no argument. Art Monk is automatic for the Hall of Fame.

[@1323GamerTV]

Is that Bill fucking Belichick???

[@1Dub79]

Though I liked Gary Clark better than Art Monk, Monk was still a better WR. His hands and route-running was crazy. Gary Clark was faster and had a bit more flair, I’ll say.

[@Nick83Fairfax]

The late, unlamented Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated's "Dr. Z" who single-handedly kept Monk out of the Hall for as long as he could, called Monk a "compiler". No, a compiler is a guy like Largent whose teams never did anything. If you accumulate catches, yards, first downs, and TDs for a team that goes to five NFC Championship Games, four Super Bowls, and wins three like Monk did, that's not "compiling"; that's called contributing to championships. Dr. Z is deceased, and he is not missed.

[@royw-g3120]

I think you could argue that Largent has more consistent QBs throughout his career too. Monk had QB play that was very inconsistent but thrived anyway.

[@olschool121]

I never understood the criticism that he received. He only ran short quick routes, which is false as explained in this video. He wasn't the first option or the player that the opponent game planned against, this is also disproven many times by the players and coaches who played and coached against him. He was a stat grabber and only had numbers because of longevity. Again, disproven, he broke the all time single season and redskins game record in a game that determined who would win the NFC EAST on a 3RD AND LONG!! He broke the all time reception record on Monday Night Football against the Broncos when washington needed to win out to make the playoffs, again this was in a key game that the team needed. So, how is he stat padding? I really think he was punished because: Joe Gibbs and the perception that Joe coached up good players to play great. He didn't hotdog after every big play or talk trash in the middle of games or do interviews telling everyone how good he is. Jerry Rice played during the same era and his play greatly overshadowed other great WRs.

[@jimburch7318]

The whole team was underated and disrespected

[@williamkirchoff4293]

If he's not a hall of famer nobody is

[@tonireynosojr621]

Got a question for all the Redskins fans are you Commaders fans it seems like the Commander are a new team like the Redskins lost there history over night

[@stevebickley6524]

Commander who? Fuck them

[@charliedeluca8700]

Class personified HTTR