Hall finally calls Monk’s number

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 were New England linebacker Andre Tippett, San Diego/San Francisco defensive end Fred Dean, Minnesota/Denver tackle Gary Zimmerman and a senior committee choice, Kansas City cornerback Emmitt Thomas.

For the second year in a row, former commissioner Paul Tagliabue failed to be elected.

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.

“Whether I deserved to play in the NFL or deserve even to be in the Hall of Fame, I just loved the game, loved to play, loved being out there,” Monk said.

Green, one of the NFL’s fastest and most skilled cornerbacks for two decades, spent his entire career (1983 to 2002) with the Redskins. He holds the record for consecutive seasons with an interception (19), and had 54 picks for 621 yards and six touchdowns. A member of the 1990s All-Decade team, Green made seven Pro Bowls.

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 touchdown catches.

Inductions will be at the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 2.

“Hopefully, there are several hundred thousand hotels there,” Green said, his voice full of emotion, “and several hundred thousand tickets.”

Perhaps the most surprising outcome was that Tagliabue, again, was not selected.

In his 17 years as commissioner, the NFL experienced no labor stoppages, and its revenues from TV contracts skyrocketed. There also were expansions to Jacksonville, Charlotte, Cleveland and Houston under his watch, and several teams moved into new stadiums.

But many, including some reporters on the 44-member selection committee, found Tagliabue unapproachable and uncooperative.

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Hall passes

A capsule look at those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

*--* FRED DEAN *--*

* Defensive end -- 6-3, 230

* 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-1985 San Francisco 49ers. 11 seasons, 141 games.

* Quickness, speed, strength made him a feared pass rusher. . . . Career sacks total near 100, but unofficial because sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982. ... Unofficially had 15 1/2 sacks in 1978, nine in 1979, 10 1/2 in 1980. . . . Had career best 17 1/2 sacks in 1983, including a then-NFL record six in one game, Nov. 13 vs. New Orleans. . . . Played on five division winners and two Super Bowl championship teams. . . . Selected to play in four Pro Bowls.

*--* DARRELL GREEN *--*

* Cornerback -- 5-8, 176

* 1983-2002 Washington Redskins. 20 seasons, 295 games.

* Holds NFL record with at least one interception in 19 consecutive seasons. . . . Career interception totals: 54 interceptions for 621 yards. . . . Tied for first on NFL all-time list for most consecutive seasons playing with one team (20). ... Had career-best five interceptions in three seasons: 1984, 1986, 1991. . . . Returned six interceptions for TDs. . . . Tied for second all-time for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in playoffs with two. . . . A member of the 1990s All-Decade Team. . . . Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls.

*--* ART MONK *--*

* Wide receiver -- 6-3, 210

* 1980-93 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles. 16 seasons, 224 games.

* Had 50 or more receptions in a season nine times. Gained 1,000 or more yards receiving in a season five times. . . . Set then-NFL records for catches in a season (106), most consecutive games with at least one reception (164), and career receptions (820). Finished career with 940 catches. ... Had finest season in 1984, catching eight or more passes in six games, five games of 100-plus yards receiving, and in one game caught 10 passes for 200 yards. . . . A three-time Pro Bowl selection.

*--* EMMITT THOMAS *--*

* Cornerback -- 6-2, 192

* 1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs. 13 seasons, 181 games.

* Ranks ninth all-time in interceptions with 58, which is fourth all-time best by a pure cornerback and is Chiefs all-time record. . . . Led NFL with team-record 12 interceptions in 1974 -- two shy of NFL all-time record. . . . Two of his 1974 interceptions went for touchdowns. . . . Led AFL with nine interceptions in 1969 and added three more during playoffs, including one in Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV win over the Vikings. . . . Led the Chiefs in interceptions in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1974, and 1975. . . . Selected to play in five Pro Bowls.

*--* ANDRE TIPPETT *--*

* Linebacker -- 6-3, 240

* 1982-1993 New England Patriots. 10 seasons, 151 games.

* In 1984 established team record with 18 1/2 sacks and earned first of five consecutive (1985-1989) Pro Bowl selections. . . . Was a factor in team’s success that led to first Super Bowl appearance in 1986. . . . That season (1985) led AFC with 16 1/2 sacks (second in NFL), earning AFC defensive player of the year honors. . . . Missed four games in 1988 and entire 1989 season due to injuries. . . . At time of retirement, his 100 sacks, 18 1/2 sacks in a season, and 17 opponent fumbles recovered were team bests.

*--* GARY ZIMMERMAN *--*

* Offensive tackle -- 6-6, 294

* 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos. 12 seasons, 184 games.

* Spent two seasons with the L.A. Express of USFL before reporting to Vikings. ... After joining Vikings, began streak of 169 consecutive starts that lasted until 1996, when surgery sidelined him. ... Anchored offensive line that helped Vikings lead NFC in rushing in 1991. ... Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors eight times. ... Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls.

Sources: Associated Press and Pro Football Hall of Fame

Los Angeles Times