<i>Countdown to Canton</i> on Sirius NFL Radio

Pro Football Hall of Fame Presents Countdown to Canton on Sirius NFL Radio. Listen each Friday morning from now through Enshrinement Day on August 8. Hosts Bob Papa and Randy Cross welcome a different Hall of Fame legend each Friday at 10 Eastern to talk some football. Don’t miss as these football greats share stories from their careers, to what it was like on their induction day, and a personal perspective on the Hall’s newest class – Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, Ralph Wilson, Jr. and Rod Woodson.

Guests on Countdown to Canton:

Mar. 6 - Art Monk Mar. 13 - Billy Shaw Mar. 20 - Len Dawson

Stop by Profootballhof.com each week leading up to Bob and Randy’s interview. We’ll take a look back at that week’s featured Hall of Famer and recount his enshrinement day. The Hall’s research staff will also dig into the archives and hone in on events that helped the shape the careers of these Hall of Fame legends.
 

 

This week’s guest: Art Monk, Class of 2008

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Ovation in Canton
Flanked by dozens of the game’s greatest players and coaches, former Washington Redskins wide receiver Art Monk took center stage in Canton last August. The man who was once held the NFL record for career catches walked to the podium in Fawcett Stadium to earn his rightful place among the game’s all-time greatest players, coaches, and contributors.

What soon followed had never before been seen in Canton and will certainly not be forgotten. As the legendary wide receiver stepped up to the microphone to humbly accept his enshrinement into the Hall of Fame, legions of Redskins fans rose to their feet and provided a thunderous ovation.

 

Monk took a step back to compose himself before he again attempted to speak. The roar of the crowd raged louder. The ovation lasted nearly five minutes before Monk began his speech.

It truly will go down as one of the most emotional scenes ever experienced at a Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.

Read Art’s enshrinement speech transcript | Video: Watch his speech

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106 in ‘84
In 1984, wide receiver Art Monk of the Washington Redskins shattered the long-standing record for receptions in a single season. That year he caught an amazing 106 passes for a career-high 1,372 yards and scored 7 touchdowns to eclipse the 101 receptions recorded by Houston’s Charley Hennigan in 1964.

 

The ball caught by Art Monk on Oct. 12, 1992 when he eclipsed the mark for career receptions previously held by Steve Largent.

It began a string of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for Monk who became the first player in Redskins history to achieve such a feat. He also became the first Redskins player to catch 70 or more passes in three straight seasons.

 

Soon after making history, the Pro Football Hall of Famer received the jersey he wore during the record-setting 1984 season and the football he caught to set the single-season mark.

Eight years later on October 12, 1992, Monk became the NFL’s all-time leading receiver when he made his 820th career catch. The football he caught for that milestone also found a home in Canton.

Monk finished his Hall of Fame career with 940 receptions which today ranks him eighth all-time in career catches.

ART MONK'S CAREER YEAR (1984)
		Catches	Yards	TDs
1	DOLPHINS	3	54	0
2	49ers	10	200	0
3	GIANTS	8	78	0
4	Patriots	5	37	0
5	EAGLES	5	80	1
6	Colts	8	141	3
7	COWBOYS	4	67	0
8	Cardinals	6	87	0
9	Giants	4	104	0
10	FALCONS	5	45	0
11	LIONS	5	34	0
12	Eagles	8	80	0
13	BILLS	11	104	1
14	Vikings	6	45	0
15	Cowboys	7	80	0
16	CARDINALS	11	136	2
		106	1,372	7
Monk also had 10 catches for 122 yards in the playoff game against the Chicago Bears that season.

More on Monk from Profootballhof.com
Art Monk’s HOF Bio
Redskins history
1980 NFL Draft
Top 20 Career Receivers

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Join us this August for one of sports greatest events. Tickets and fan packages for the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival are on sale now>>>