A running back at Syracuse University, Monk was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 1980 NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was moved to wide receiver. After four good years with the Redskins, Monk had a sensational season in 1984, leading the league with 106 catches, a record at the time, for 1,372 yards and 7 touchdowns. He followed that with 91 receptions in 1985. An All-Pro in 1984 and 1985, Monk played in three Super Bowls. He caught only 1 pass for 28 yards in Washington's 38-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders after the 1983 season and he caught 1 pass for 40 yards when the Redskins beat the Denver Broncos 42-10 for the 1987 NFL championship. In Washington's 37-24 Super Bowl victory over the Buffalo Bills after the 1991 season, Monk had 7 receptions for 113 yards, a 16.1 average. In 1994, Monk went to the New York Jets as a free agent. Used mostly as a third receiver that season, he still had 46 catches. However, the Jets cut him before the 1995 season and he joined the Philadelphia Eagles. Troubled by injuries, he appeared in only three games with the Eagles and then announced his retirement. When he retired, he was the NFL's all-time leading receiver with 940 receptions, a record that was broken by Jerry Rice and his since been surpassed by three other players. Monk has been one of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for four straight years, but has not yet been elected.
