PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
’Skins’ Green, Monk head Class of 2008
The Washington Redskins and their followers knew this day would come for Darrell Green; it was only a matter of when. They had begun to doubt whether it would arrive for Art Monk.
But now that it’s here, the Redskins couldn’t imagine a better scenario as Green, the ebullient former cornerback, and Monk, the quiet former wide receiver, will share the stage on the evening they receive their sport’s highest individual honor.
The former Redskins teammates are part of the six-member class of former NFL greats scheduled to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during ceremonies today in Canton, Ohio.
Monk and Green will join Gary Zimmerman (offensive lineman for the Vikings and Broncos), Emmitt Thomas (defensive back for the Chiefs), Andre Tippett (linebacker for the Patriots) and Fred Dean (defensive end for the Chargers and 49ers) as members of the Class of 2008.
“What makes this even more significant than just being in the Hall of Fame is that we’re going in together,” Monk said of being inducted with Green.
“He wasn’t just a teammate of mine. He’s a great friend. Our families are like real family.”
Those in and around the Redskins organization who waited patiently for Green’s inevitable election and suffered impatiently through Monk’s seven previous Hall of Fame rejections now can rest easy.
Green was considered a virtual Hall of Fame lock by most observers before the media voting committee made it official and elected him in his first year of eligibility.
He once was the league’s fastest man, and his career was remarkable for its longevity and consistency. But Green said he never regarded himself as a lock to be included in today’s enshrinement ceremonies (6 p. m., ESPN), recalling a conversation he had with his son Jared on the morning of the vote.
Jared asked his father why he was so nervous, being such a shoo-in for election. Green called his son crazy, he said, and then the two went back and forth like that until Green realized his son didn’t share the same view of his career. His son never saw him as the little guy from Texas A&I who wasn’t supposed to make it.
“I said, ‘You know what, it just hit me: You’re seeing my career from your perspective. I’m seeing it from mine,’ ” Green said.
Green picked his son as his presenter today, just as Monk chose his son, James Monk Jr.
