Internet: Still awesome

by Skin Patrol on Feb 6, 2008 1:43 PM EST in Redskins Analysis Comment 0 comments

My apologies for not spending more of the week discussing the Hall of Fame although others are on the story and probably doing a much more admirable job than yours truly. If you want to get worked up about it, you can go read this Football Outsiders thread where many commenters bemoan the fact that Art Monk got in. The good guys one that argument.

Hat tip to Extreme Skins for finding this Washington Times article that grabs a few entertaining quotes from the usually subdued Art Monk. For instance:

After a video tribute and introductions by Snyder, Monk quipped, "I'm the one who's gonna go first because I'm the one who's shortest on words."...

Monk, who holds most Redskins receiving records and was the NFL's all-time leading receiver before Jerry Rice, was elected in his eighth year of eligibility. The lengthy wait generated a huge lobbying effort, mainly on the Internet.

"To be honest, this whole induction thing had taken me by surprise," said Monk, who planned to ask the Hall to remove his name from consideration if he didn't make it this year. "I had just written it off."...

"When you think of it that way, it's an awesome responsibility. I've tried to represent the Redskins with decency, and I've tried to represent myself as a man of decency and character."...

"I was running downfield. I had the defender beat by 5 yards." He paused, his timing impeccable. "As usual," he said.

Thus we get a refreshing and unusual amount of insight from an otherwise private man. What he did for this franchise cannot be calculated merely by statistics or records (though he has both of them in spades) and it was incredibly satisfying to see him honored by the league in a manner concurrent with his accomplishments. And to think, it might not have happened at all:

It's easy to sit around congratulating the internet on its successful lobbying efforts though who can really tell how effective that effort was? I have my own opinions but, as an interneter, I would have those opinions. But even if I'm honest enough about my relevance (or irrelevance) on such matters, there is someone deserving of high praise for their continued and now successful efforts.

The Art Monk For the Hall of Fame Campaign is the "cottage industry" for Monk enthusiasts like myself. The time and effort spent on getting Art into the Hall by DjTj (also an ESer) was incredible and I want to express gratitude to him for all that he did. Recently I was emailed by a fan of another team working on getting their own hero into the hall, and they asked what means would be best employed to that end. I simply referred them to the AMFTHOFC and said "Do that."

I also want to give credit to HoF voter Len Shapiro, who told me in March of last year:

LS: [2006] will not be Monk's last best chance. I will argue next year that Chris Carter absolutely has to wait his turn. Next year is Monk's turn...

LS: I understand there is great frustration among Redskins fans that Monk and players like Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby, also worthy candidates, are not yet in. I would say this. Many players have taken many years to finally get in. Sam Huff, Lynn Swann, Harry Carson, Roger Wehrli. I believe those three and Darrell Green (next year he's eligible for the first time) will eventually be in the Hall of Fame. I'm hoping for a Green/Monk twin double next year, and rest assured, both men have plenty of support in the room and it's just a matter of time.

A wrong was righted.

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