Monk and Green Selected for N.F.L.’s Hall

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/sports/football/03fame.html
February 3, 2008
Monk and Green Selected for N.F.L.’s Hall
By THAYER EVANS

PHOENIX — When cornerback Darrell Green joined the Washington Redskins as a rookie in 1983, he struggled to defend wide receiver Art Monk in training camp.

After practices, a frustrated Green would return to his dorm room and tell himself, “I can’t cover these guys.”

But it turned out that those matchups between Green and Monk were more significant than either knew at the time, because they were between future Pro Football Hall of Fame players.

On Saturday, the two were among a class of six players selected to the shrine.

“There’s going to be a party at Redskin Park sometime soon, and me and Art are going to be there,” Green said. “This is going to be the bomb, man. It’s going to be on.”

The others chosen by a panel of 44 representatives of the news media were Fred Dean, a defensive end with the Chargers and the 49ers; Emmitt Thomas, a cornerback with the Chiefs; Andre Tippett, a linebacker with the Patriots; and Gary Zimmerman, an offensive tackle with the Vikings and the Broncos. They will be inducted Aug. 2 in Canton, Ohio.

For the second year in a row, the former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who retired in 2006 and was succeeded by Roger Goodell, was not selected. He was one of five candidates from the modern era who did not advance past the first round of the 15-candidate ballot.

Tagliabue was the only finalist in the category of contributor, a person who did not play or coach.

Green spent his 20 N.F.L. seasons with the Redskins and holds the league record for consecutive years with an interception (19). He was selected in his first year of eligibility.

Once Green’s name was announced as a selection, there was a roar from his family and friends in another room of the Phoenix Convention Center, where the selections were announced.

“This literally transcends football through everything I have gone through to do what I was able to do,” Green said. “It was more than the ability to run, cover and tackle. It just goes so far beyond that.”

Monk’s election came in his eighth year of eligibility. He retired in 1995, after 16 seasons. He once held N.F.L. records for most consecutive games with a reception, receptions in a season and career receptions. He had 940 career receptions, 68 for touchdowns.

“I wasn’t really expecting this, even though the possibility of it existed,” Monk said. “I’m greatly honored. I’m very humbled to receive this honor.”

The soft-spoken Monk said he was excited about being inducted with Green, one of his best friends. “This is even more special,” he said.

One of two nominations by the Senior Committee, Thomas was selected as a player, but he has a coaching connection to the Redskins. Now the assistant head coach for Atlanta, Thomas was a wide receivers coach and then a defensive backs coach for Washington from 1986-94, when Green and Monk played.

“I feel very special to go in with Darrell and Art,” Thomas said. “Both of those young men are excellent athletes, but great character people.”