Canton, OH (Best E Casino) - Former
Washington Redskins stars Darrell Green and Art Monk are among the six newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Green and Monk will be joined in the Class of 2008 by Fred Dean, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman. The induction ceremony is set for August 2 in Canton, Ohio.
Among the finalists that were not selected in voting Saturday were Cris Carter and former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Green, selected in his first year of eligibility, spent 20 seasons as a defensive back with the Redskins after the club selected him with the 28th overall pick of the 1983 NFL Draft. He holds the NFL record with at least one interception in 19 consecutive seasons and totaled 54 interceptions.
A member of the All-Decade Team for the 1990s, Green was selected to play in seven Pro Bowls and was a four-time All-Pro selection. He was also an accomplished punt returner and played for Super Bowl championship teams after the 1987 and 1991 seasons.
"I never went to another team, I never talked to teams," Green said. "Somehow I was healthy enough to stay there and (the Redskins) extended their grace to me, allowing me to play on this same team, one city, raise my kids there, serve that community, be loved by and love it for 20 years. It transcends football. This is out of this world."
Monk starred as a wide receiver as part of those two Super Bowl teams, and was a member of the 1982 title squad in Washington. He was a first-round pick out of Syracuse in 1980 and spent 14 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Redskins, finishing his career with the New York Jets in 1994 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995.
Considered among the first of the big, strong receivers, the 6-foot-3 Monk finished his career with 940 catches and set a then-NFL record for catches in a season with 106 in 1984. He was a three-time Pro Bowl pick.
"Whether I deserved to have played in the NFL or to deserve to even be in the Hall of Fame, I just love the game," Monk said. "I loved to play. I loved being out there. (Being inducted into the Hall of Fame) is truly an honor and an awesome moment in my life. But as great an honor as this is, it's not what really defines who I am or what I've been able to accomplish in my life."
Dean was a pass-rushing specialist with the San Diego Chargers from 1975-81 and with the San Francisco 49ers from 1981-85. Sacks did not become an official statistic until 1982, but he totaled near 100 had a career-best 17 1/2 in 1983. A two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Dean was also a member of Super Bowl-winning teams with the 49ers after the 1981 and 1984 seasons.
"I am proud that he is joining the elite group of 49ers players that are enshrined in Canton," 49ers co-owners Denise and John York said in a statement. "As one of the dominant defensive players of his era, Fred was perhaps one of the key performers in the 49ers first Super Bowl team, especially considering he had joined the team five games into the 1981 season. His acquisition played a direct role in two 49ers Super Bowl Championships. His career as a standout player cannot be overstated."
Thomas, a finalist from the seniors' committee, starred as a cornerback with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1966-78. He ranks ninth all-time in with 58 interceptions, and was a key contributor to a feared Kansas City defense that helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl IV after the 1969 season.
"Since learning that I have become a member of the most prestigious club of pro football, my emotions have been overwhelmed. I am truly humbled," said Thomas. "Perhaps the biggest reason I am here is because I played the game with respect and honor."
Tippett, a linebacker from 1982-93 with the New England Patriots, was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s and finished his career with 100 sacks. He was a five-time Pro Bowl pick from 1985-89 and helped the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance after the 1985 season when he led the AFC with 16 1/2 sacks.
Zimmerman spent 12 seasons as an offensive tackle with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. After playing his first two pro seasons in the USFL, he joined the Vikings for the 1986 season and played seven years with Minnesota before being traded to Denver prior to the 1993 campaign. He was a member of two All-Decade Teams, earning spots for the 1980s and 1990s, and was selected for seven Pro Bowls.
"Making it here today I feel more humbled and blessed than ever before in my life," Zimmerman said. "I stand before you a proud and gracious man. I am truly honored to be the 247th member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame."
The Hall of Fame selectors had 17 finalists to choose from and whittled the list with a pair of votes before the final ballot.
Joining Carter and Tagliabue on the cut list were linebackers Randy Gradishar and Derrick Thomas, punter Ray Guy, offensive linemen Russ Grimm, Randall McDaniel and Bob Kuechenberg, wide receiver Andre Reed, defensive end Richard Dent and seniors' candidate Marshall Goldberg.
Carter, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1987-89), the Minnesota Vikings (1990-2001) and the Miami Dolphins (2002). He compiled 13,899 receiving yards and 130 touchdowns over his 16-year career.
Tagliabue was commissioner of the NFL from 1989-2006 before being succeeded by Roger Goodell.
The six new members will increase the number of Canton enshrinees to 247.
