Art Monk

The first player to reach 900 career receptions and a three-time Super Bowl champion with Washington.

James Arthur Monk (born December 5, 1957) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the NFL for the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played 14 seasons with the Redskins, helping the team win three Super Bowls (XVII, XXII, and XXVI). In 1984, he set an NFL record with 106 receptions. Monk became the first player to eclipse 900 career receptions, finishing his career with 940 catches. He once held the record for most consecutive games with a catch (183), a mark later surpassed by Jerry Rice, and he recorded at least one touchdown reception in 12 of his 16 seasons (with zero touchdowns in 1980, 1981, 1994 with the Jets, and 1995 with the Eagles). On August 2, 2008, he received the longest standing ovation in Pro Football Hall of Fame history upon his induction.

Quick Facts

Position: Wide receiver
Born: 5 December 1957
Birthplace: White Plains, New York, U.S.
High school: White Plains
College: Syracuse (1976–1979)
Draft year: 1980
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 18

Lore & Background

Monk's tenure with the Redskins defined an era of offensive excellence. During his 14 seasons with the team, Washington suffered only three losing seasons and captured three Super Bowl titles. In 1984, he caught a then-NFL record 106 receptions for 1,372 yards, earning First-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. He followed this by becoming the first Redskins receiver to produce three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. In 1989, Monk formed 'The Posse' with Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders, the first trio of wide receivers in NFL history to each post 1,000-plus yards in a single season. His consistency was unmatched; he exceeded 50 catches nine times and gained over 1,000 receiving yards five times. Through his career, he converted nearly two-thirds of his 888 Redskins catches into first downs. Monk's overall NFL career spanned 16 seasons (1980–1995), including stints with the Jets in 1994 and the Eagles in 1995. He recorded touchdowns in only 12 of those 16 seasons, going scoreless in 1980, 1981, 1994, and 1995.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Art Monk's career, the core statistics center on his 14 seasons with Washington (1980–1993) and three additional seasons with the Jets and Eagles. He was a unanimous All-Rookie selection in 1980 with 58 receptions, setting a franchise rookie record. His peak came in 1984 and 1985 when he earned First-Team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections. He also received second-team All-NFC honors in 1986. Monk's franchise records include the most career receptions (888), receiving yards (12,026), and yards from scrimmage (13,053). In 2012, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame after his collegiate success at Syracuse University, where he led the team in receiving for three consecutive years. On July 15, 2025, the Washington Commanders announced they would retire his No. 81 jersey, making him the sixth player in franchise history to receive this honor.

Did You Know?

Monk is a first cousin once removed of jazz pioneer Thelonious Monk.
He recorded at least 35 receptions in 14 consecutive seasons (1980–1993), a remarkable streak that ended when he had only 6 catches in 1994 with the Jets.