Tell Art how you feel about him and what he means to you

[wewantdallas]

I have Art Monk's work address. Please don't ask me for it, because it was given to me in confidence and with the promise of privacy and I won't break that for any reason.

That said, I thought it would be great if as many as possible would be willing to use this thread to write Art a personal message about what he means to you and what we think of him.

I will print out and forward all the messages, and you can rest assured that he will read them.

So, write away. Let's let this guy know how valuable we still think he is and always will be.

[Keino]

Art,


I want to personally thank you for all of your contributions to the Washington Redskins, the Greater Washington DC community and the NFL. For reasons unknown, there is a contingant of sportswriters who refuse to give you your due. This used to bother me, but no more. I have come to peace with the fact that you were one of the greatest Wide Receivers of all-time, and certainly one of the greatest people to don the Burgundy and Gold. In following your example, I will no longer look to this group of sportswriters to validate your Hall of Fame Career. I was fortunate enough to bear witness to your great career in its entirety.....it was in a manner of speaking, a work of Art.

Thank you for conducting yourself as an example to all of what class really means. You will always be (and have been) a Hall of Famer to those of us who were able to admire every single big 3rd down catch that kept drives alive and allowed the Redskins to play smashmouth football. The amount of joy your efforts have brought to us, the fans is immeasurable. I truly wish we could repay your efforts.

I hope that my comments find in you good health and spirits.

Sincerely,


Sean Keino Sanford

[whistleandthumb]

Art,

I want to thank you for being such an important part of the 3 Super Bowl trophies that sit in the lobby of Redskins Park. You are one of the best players this franchise has ever seen, not to mention one of the best players the game, itself, has ever known.

But, more importantly, I want to thank you for how you played the game. In an era where style overcame substance in the NFL, you went out there and just did your job. My favorite thing about watching you score all those touchdowns was how you just tossed the ball to the referee; a class act that is practically extinct in today's game. You were always the type of player that I wanted on my team, which therefore made me that much more happy that you were on my team!

Obviously, I was disappointed this past weekend by the Hall of Fame's decision. But please know that in the hearts and minds of every Redskins fan out there, we know what you accomplished on (and off) the field, and we all know that it is worthy of any honor you could receive. You are one of the best ever... and all Redskin fans know it.

Thank you, again, for being a great player... and an even better person.

All the best,
Brad Baker

[flave1969]

Dear Art,

There is so much I could write, so much I have written about you in the past. You reflect a class and dignity that I try and sometimes fail to emulate in my daily life.

In my opinion you were the ultimate selfless player. It was always team first and in this me, me, me world, it is so refreshing to remember your achievements and the context in which you recorded them.

I have taken your snubs from the Hall of Fame voters very personally and was ready to snub the game this Saturday, but it was your words that kept me here. There is a fight to be fought here, and I will personally lobby until you achieve what you deserve.

You have been and always will be my Favourite player and you will always be Hall of Fame in my eyes. I look forward to the day you are inducted.

Thank you for letting us live our dreams through your actions, where you went on the Football field, we as fans always followed.

My utmost respect always

Andrew Williams
London, United Kingdom.

[halter91]

Art, as a young kid growing up in Philadelphia, it was hard to catch the Redskins games unless they played the Iggles. It was hard to watch any of your highlights, but fortunately for me the Redskins were televised a lot in the later months, mostly in the playoffs. I grew up having my best friend be the QB and I was Art Monk. I would pretend we were in the Super Bowl or playing against Dallas and I was run routes and catch balls just like you did. Art, I want to thank you for everything you have done for the Redskins and more importanly being a team player. You never cared about your stats, you just wanted the Burgundy and Gold to win. Now with the internet, I can really see for my self what you have done for this team. Thank you from the bottom of my bugundy and gold heart stuck up here in Iggle country. HAIL 81!!!

Dave Halter
Norristown, Pa.

[ChapelHillMatt]

Art,

I grew up as a Redskins fan in the 80's, during that time I was able to follow your career and what I was able to see was a man that carried himself with class and just did his job.

With the new wave of players that are self centered and love to get their name out there for everyone to see it was refreshing to watch a man and I do mean a MAN carry himself like a professional should. I was able to watch a great football player that cared nothing but helping his team win football games.

The NFL missed people like you Art and I know the Redskins haven't been the same since you left.

Thanks for everything you have done and thank you for who you are. Just know this, you are a Hall of Famer in all of our books, both as a football player and a person.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Dear Art,
You will always be in my hall of fame.
-IBB

[redskinz#1fan]

Art,

I would first like to thank you for the many great years that you have given the Washington Redskin organization, as well as the fans. You truly set an example for the fans and the organization on and off the field. I witnessed your career from beginning to end, and there is one thing that stands out more to me then any stats could ever measure up to…your character and selflessness! You always set an example during your long and successful football career, but you have continued setting that example still throughout the years. In a time where there are very few people that one could look to mimic them self after, you continue to shine so brightly. You allow people to still have some sense of calm…that not all is bad in this ever-changing world. It truly saddens me to know that you have once again been passed up for your induction into the Hall of Fame, but this passing over also gives me an understanding as well. An understanding that your accomplishments are far too great for this so-called “Hall of Fame” that sits in Canton. You are truly a man of GREAT character, which is a trait not seen much in today’s time.

When the announcement was made that you had been passed over once again for your “long overdue” induction into the Hall of Fame, I was confused and at a loss. So I looked to the one thing that always gives me clarity whenever things are cloudy…my faith and my spiritual belief. God placed every single person on this earth with a purpose in mind. Some people have yet to discover this purpose, and others are mistaken about what their purpose is. A lot of people confuse their purpose with their profession. My point is this…you were placed on this earth by God with a purpose in mind. He gave you the great gifts (talents) that you possess, to help in accomplishing this purpose. Now I’m not saying that the Lord’s ultimate purpose for you was to play football, but that is a piece of the puzzle in your purpose. Since you were blessed with these great traits and gifts (athleticism, selflessness, character, dedication), you’ve been able to touch and change many people’s lives. I truly believe that you have been put here to do the very things that you’re doing to this day. You have not changed one bit from the days that I watched you as a young boy.

So with that said, keep doing what your doing! You will be rewarded far greater then any Hall of Fame could ever begin to reward you. Your accomplishments are greatly recognized and noted by those who truly matter, the people who love you (family, friends, and the fans) and THE Only Real Judge…God.

God bless you and your family…

Your day will come…


Sincerely,

Drew Claypoole
(Newport News, Va)

[Brokenstriker]

Art -
I first started to pay close attention to the Redskins when I was in junior high school. Somewhere around that time I read Larry Brown's book I'll Always Get Up. I loved they way he played. He played hard, he never quit, and he was a great example of sportsmanship and dignity. Made a great impression on me. From the moment I watched you play until the last I saw the same things in you. I hope you realize you made a great impression on all of us. When I talked to my kids about how I wanted them to act, especially in sports, I told them about you.
Thanks for making being a Redskins fan a great thing to be. Thanks for showing us all how to play hard, never quit and conduct yourself with dignity.
- Proctor Grayson
Centreville, VA

[LATrueRedskin]

Hey Art,

I remember constantly running around my house with a plastic football while watching the Redskins' Super Bowl season videotapes as a little kid. I'd imitate the plays of all those great games, pretend I was in the Super Bowl, and dream of playing for Joe Gibbs and the Redskins in the NFL. Most of all, though, I wanted to be like Art Monk.

I wanted to imitate all of the great things you did on the football field, and I wanted to mirror your great character and all of the things you and your teammates did for the community. You were, and still are, a great role model for me and many other kids that grew up during that time. The way you approached both life and football with such a work ethic and dignity made me want to do the same in my life. I never made it to the NFL, but I've learned to be humble and selfless by watching players like you go through your daily lives. Thank you for that.

There's no doubt in the eyes of every Redskins fan that watched you perform for so many years that you clearly belong alongside the greatest the NFL has ever had to offer. Whether or not some writers who hold the voting power to elect think so is irrelevant to us. You're much more to Redskins fans than what some writer, who has never been a part of a lockerroom, can decide. You're something and somebody we can be proud of when talking about, and you're somebody who we can only hope that we, ourselves, can align our own lives and careers after. Thank you for all the great memories I had of you and the Redskins as a little boy, and I wish you the best of luck in anything you choose to do in life. We all know you'll be great at it.

Sincerely,

Joe F.
Gaithersburg, MD

[ryflan47]

Mr. Monk,

I never got the chance to see you play because I was too young to remember. The contributions that you have given this franchise are unfathomable though. Thank you for everything that you have done for the fans!

Ryan

[RicFlairOne]

Mr. Monk -

You are only a few years older than I am, but you deserve to be called Mister! You are quite simply the best. You are the epitome of the word Class in each and every way. I want to thank you for everything that you have done for the Redskins, both on and off the field.

Best wishes -

Bill J.
Greensboro, NC

[Canfan]

Art
The people who are excluding you from the HOF surely did not see the same player I did when you were on the field. You were and are everything that represented "Redskins" football. Talent, leadership, skill and above all CLASS. I was fortunate enough to follow your whole career and was extremely sad the day you joined another organization, as you were a true "Redskin" in all senses. For all you gave to us over the years, we thank you so much and please know that you are without a shred of doubt, a true Hall of Famer both on and off the field.

Thank You,

Marc Ottawa, Canada

[santanadasavior]

Art,

I was not able to witness your greatness in person but I have seen it in many replays. You are still a legend here, even to those of us who didn't get to see you play. You are in a class of your own in terms of being a great athlete and a better person. You achieved greatness with no swagger or any means of drawing attention to yourself. You let your play speak for yourself and your love for the game. You were a team player who exemplifies greatness. As a current player, I would like to say that you are an inspiration to the people who don't care about anything but the man next to you. If I end up to be an eigth of the player you are, I might go to a few Pro Bowls. You laid the foundation for greatness in this area that carries over still to this day.

I'll see you in Canton next year,

Patrick C.
Arlington, Virginia

[44FAN]

Art, I took my mom to the Redskins Welcome Luncheon back in 1982 and was so shy about going up to you and shaking your hand. You saw me and my mom and came over and introduced yourself. You put the both of us immediately at ease and left us with a lasting memory. Ever since that day I went to the stadium specificaly to watch you and how you would perform and carry yourself with class. You never disappointed. Those were some of my greatest days as a Redskins fan.

I just want to let you know that whatever this whole Hall of Fame scenario holds in the future, you made literally thousands of Redskins fans proud with the way you played and the way you carried yourself on and off the field. You're the kind of person I would want my kids looking up to. I count myself lucky to have been able to watch your whole career as a Redskin. It's memories I'll carry with me forever when I think about the glory days of my beloved team. God bless....

Javier Solares
Fairfax,VA