Redskins Nation turned out in full force here this morning to celebrate the inductions of Darrell Green and Art Monk into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Legendary quarterbacks Sammy Baugh and Sonny Jurgensen remain beloved in Washington, but only those over 40 saw either of them play, so cornerback Green, who retired in 2002 after a record 20 seasons as a Redskin, and receiver Monk, who set the alltime record for catches in 1992, the 13th of his 14 seasons in Washington, are nearer and dearer to the hearts of most fans.
Green and Monk, close friends as they starred together for Washington from 1983-93, rode in separate cars along with their presenters/sons Jared and James through downtown Canton. Many of the parade-watchers were clad in Redskins colors, including the self-described “Fun Bunch,” a group of 46 Washington area fans all wearing burgundy shirts and holding cardboard signs bearing Green’s No. 28 and Monk’s No. 81.
Tonight, Green and Monk’s Route 281 (the name of the endeavor they created this spring to benefit their respective foundations) will culminate with their inductions in an audience that will include their former coach Joe Gibbs along with fellow Hall of Famers Bobby Mitchell and Charley Taylor, both of whom also worked for the Redskins during that era. Emmitt Thomas, who coached both Green and Monk as a Washington assistant, will also be inducted.
— David Elfin
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