PHOENIX — Like the two old friends they are, Darrell Green and Art Monk chatted about the latest news in their lives: making the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Never mind that thousands of people were listening to the conference call after Saturday’s announcement. This was simply two former Washington Redskins sharing verbal hugs after receiving the sport’s highest honor.
“May I just say to you when I first came to Washington, you had just won the Super Bowl, you guys worked me over for nine weeks and I hated all of you,” Green told Monk, drawing laughter.
“I appreciate your words,” Monk told Green, who covered Monk in practices for years. “I was trying to hear some of the comments that you made and I feel the same way. “
Other players joining Green and Monk included New England linebacker Andre Tippett, San Diego/San Francisco defensive end Fred Dean, Minnesota/Denver tackle Gary Zimmerman and senior committee choice, Kansas City cornerback Emmitt Thomas.
Monk finally was chosen in his eighth year of eligibility. He concluded his career after the 1995 season with Philadelphia, but spent 13 years with the Redskins as one of the NFL’s premier receivers. Monk held records for most consecutive games with a reception (164) and career catches (820). Both have been surpassed, but Monk didn’t play in as wide-open an era on offense as many other receivers. He was one of the most consistent possession and third-down receivers in the league throughout his 14 pro seasons.
Green, one of the NFL’s speediest and most skilled cornerbacks for two decades, spent his entire career (1983-2002) with the Redskins. He holds the record for consecutive seasons with an interception (19), and had 54 picks for 621 yards and six TDs. A member of the 1990s All-Decade team, Green made seven Pro Bowls.
“This is incredible. This is so special,” Green said when informed of the vote. “This is out of this world. This literally transcends football, everything I have gone through to do what I was able to do. It was more than the ability to run and cover. It just goes so far beyond that.”
The other player in his first year of eligibility, receiver Cris Carter, was not elected. Carter finished his 15-year career second on the career list in receptions and TD catches. For the second straight year, former commissioner Paul Tagliabue failed to be elected.
Also failing to get in were Redskins guard Russ Grimm, Buffalo Bills receiver Andre Reed, Oakland Raiders punter Ray Guy, Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar, Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent, Miami Dolphins guard Bob Kuechenberg, Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas.
Inductions will be at the Pro Football Hall of Game in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 2.
Tippett, who is in town as the Patriots’ director of community affairs, was considered the best linebacker in the AFC during an era when Lawrence Taylor ruled the other conference. An outstanding pass rusher who also could handle coverage, he was a force against the run after coming out of junior college.
“This is by far the proudest moment of my professional football career,” said Tippett, who made the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade team.
Although he weighed only 230, Dean was a fearsome pass rusher because of his speed and agility; blockers struggled to get their hands on him. He starred with the Chargers from 1975-81, then with the 49ers from 1981-85.
Zimmerman was a standout for the Vikings from 1986-92 and the Broncos from 1993-97, winning a Super Bowl in his final season. He made his reputation in the USFL before joining Minnesota.
Thomas was a superb bump-and-run and coverage cornerback for the Chiefs from 1966-78.
He was the interim coach of the Falcons at the end of the 2007 season and has been retained as an assistant by new coach Mike Smith.
Thomas was thrilled with the company he is keeping, most specifically Green and Monk.
“Those guys have high character. I’m proud to go in with them.”
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