NFL Selects Hall of Fame Class

By Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

PHOENIX (Ticker) - The Washington Redskins were one of football's most dominant teams from the early 1980s to the early 1990s. The individual accomplishments of those teams was on display Saturday when three members of those Super Bowl-winning teams were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Wide receiver Art Monk and cornerback Darrell Green headlined the six-man Class of 2008, which also included Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Emmitt Thomas, who also was an assistant coach with the Redskins for nearly a decade. The trio was joined by linebacker Andre Tippett, defensive end Fred Dean and tackle Gary Zimmerman. Inductions officially will take place at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 2.

"This is even more special because I'm going to go (to the Hall of Fame) with one of my best buddies," Monk said, referring to Green. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Monk played 16 seasons with the Redskins, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles from 1980-95, finishing with 940 receptions for 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns. Despite retiring as the NFL's all-time leader in receptions and helping the Redskins win three Super Bowls, Monk had been passed over for election several times since gaining Hall of Fame eligibility in 2001. "I've always taken the attitude that if it happens, it happens," Monk said. "It would have been nice to get in the first year, the second year, the third year. It's just nice to get in."

Green was a teammate of Monk's from 1983-93 and is widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history. The 5-8 Green spent his entire 20-year career, which spanned three decades, as a member of the Redskins and registered 54 interceptions, returning six for touchdowns. "This is a great day for the Redskins," team owner Daniel Snyder said. "Two players who personify class in their professional and personal lives are being celebrated at the highest level for the things so cherished by their fans. I know I speak for every fan when we say this is so richly deserved." A seven-time Pro Bowler, Green was elected in his first year of eligibility - an amazing accomplishment for a player who was a walk-on in both high school and at Texas A&I. "This is incredible, just so special," Green said. "I don't know what to say. How did I get here?" Green said he ignored friends who told him he was a virtual "shoo-in" to be elected in his first attempt. "I never embraced that," Green said. "That's how I think I was able to play at such a high level for so many years."

The other first-year eligible player, wide receiver Cris Carter, was not elected despite ranking second on the NFL's all-time list for receptions (1,101) and touchdowns (130). Paul Tagliabue also was not elected, marking the second straight year that the former commissioner failed to receive enough support. To be elected, a finalist is required to receive 80 percent of the vote from the selection committee. Also failing to get elected were linebackers Randy Gradishar and Derrick Thomas; defensive end Richard Dent; wide receiver Andre Reed; punter Ray Guy; guards Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg and Randall McDaniel; and running back Marshall Goldberg. Thomas, who was nominated by the Senior Committee, played his entire 13-year career with the Chiefs and ranks ninth all-time with 58 interceptions.