The Washington Commanders are continuing to honor their rich legacy by announcing the retirement of Hall of Fame receiver Art Monk’s No. 81 during their “Sunday Night Football” game against the Seattle Seahawks on November 2.
Monk will be joining esteemed franchise figures Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sean Taylor, Sonny Jurgensen, and Darrell Green in having his number retired. Former teammates Doug Williams, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders, along with managing partner John Harris and team president Mark Clouse, personally visited Monk at his Florida residence to share this momentous news.
Honoring greatness on November 2
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— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) link
Monk, who turned 67, is not only deserving of this honor but also made history by being the first player to catch over 100 passes in a single season back in 1984. He went on to become the all-time leader in career receptions in 1992 and the first to hit 900 career receptions two years later. His impressive 12,721 career receiving yards stood as the second-most in NFL history upon his retirement. He holds the record for most consecutive games with a catch, at 183.
“I’m really just kind of shocked,” Monk expressed after being informed about the news. “I wasn’t expecting this, but I appreciate the acknowledgment. I played the game because I loved it, and I loved my teammates.”
Monk’s jersey retirement highlights the Commanders’ ongoing acknowledgment of their Super Bowl era, as they previously announced plans to wear special “Super Bowl Era” uniforms three times during the 2025 season.
