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John KeimJul 15, 2025, 11:17 AM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN successful 2013 aft a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the squad successful 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and aboriginal for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored 4 books. You tin besides perceive to him connected 'The John Keim Report', which airs connected ESPN Richmond radio.
Art Monk retired arsenic the NFL's starring receiver with 940 catches, but the fig helium made celebrated successful Washington was 81. And, now, cipher other who plays for the franchise volition deterioration that jersey number.
The Commanders announced Tuesday that they are retiring the fig Monk wore from the clip helium arrived arsenic a first-round prime successful 1980 until helium near the franchise aft the 1993 season. Monk played 2 much seasons, 1 each with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
He becomes the sixth subordinate successful franchise past to person his fig retired, joining Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Darrell Green, Sonny Jurgensen and Sean Taylor.
Washington volition grant Monk during a Nov. 2 crippled vs. the Seattle Seahawks -- besides the archetypal crippled the squad volition deterioration throwback alternate burgundy and golden jerseys that harken to the epoch successful which Monk played.
Monk retired aft the 1995 play arsenic the all-time starring receiver, but he's present 24th connected the list. He besides acceptable a past single-season grounds with 106 receptions successful 1984. He was portion of 3 Super Bowl champions during his Washington tenure. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame successful 2008.
A contingent of Washington personnel, including bulk proprietor Josh Harris, went to Monk's location Tuesday greeting to pass him of the news, on with erstwhile teammates Doug Williams and Ricky Sanders, and Washington president Mark Clouse. Former teammate and chap receiver Gary Clark told Monk what the enactment was doing.
"This is simply a infinitesimal that's been a agelong clip coming," Clark told Monk. "You showed america what greatness looked similar each azygous time with your enactment ethic and your humility and however you carried this franchise with dignity."
Harris fto him cognize however excited helium was and reminded Monk, "You were my archetypal telephone erstwhile I bought the franchise."
Monk, known for his brevity during his playing career, told the guests successful his location that "I'm conscionable truthful honored, I'm truthful thankful.... I played the crippled due to the fact that I loved the crippled and I loved to play."
