In what has become one of the most embarassing soap operas in NFL history, Art Monk was again denied access to the Hall of Fame. The astoundingly 'astute' panel of selectees snubbed the former Redskin wide receiver for the third straight year.
Monk's non-inclusion to Canton has become a bone of contention for many Redskin fans. Many of those fans tuned in to Saturday's 2:00pm press conference in Detroit, half-knowing what they were going to hear -- that Monk was not one of the fifteen finalists to make the grade. After all, it would be the third straight year that the Redskin great has been denied.
It's pointless to cite all of Monk's achievements, they've been discussed ad nauseum. Somehow Monk seems to be the only player in the NFL that has to be judged the 'greatest' player at his position to be inducted. Even then, one would think that retiring as the all-time NFL receptions leader would point to him being something close. Constantly penalized for his unassuming, humble nature, people outside of Washington just don't seem to recognize what an essential part Monk played in three Super Bowl seasons. What else is new? Joe Gibbs and John Riggins are the only two Redskins enshrined from an era that saw the franchise win three Lombardi's in ten years.
The taste in Redskin fans' mouths only got saltier this year, with the added snubbing of Russ Grimm. An original Hog and offensive lineman extraordinaire, one would think that now being one of the top head coaching candidates in the NFL would only improve his chances. Not enough apparently, and his four straight pro bowl appearances and inclusion in the NFL's 1980's all-decade team aren't enough either. Grimm anchored the Hogs from 1981 to 1991 and now serves as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Super Bowl bound Steelers.
The Hall of Fame has been crossed off the list of Ohio tourist attractions for most Redskin fans, and rightfully so. It's tough to pay money to enter a building that is known more for who they have denied, than for whom they have honored.
ARTICLE TOOLS 
