Commanders to retire WR Art Monk's No. 81

Field Level Media
15 Jul 2025, 22:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

The Washington Commanders will retire the No. 81 of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Art Monk during a halftime ceremony at their Nov. 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Monk, now 67, was selected No. 18 overall in the 1980 NFL Draft out of Syracuse by Washington. He spent 14 seasons with the franchise, catching 888 passes for 12,026 yards and 65 touchdowns.

He played his final two seasons with the New York Jets (1994) and Philadelphia Eagles (1995), adding three more TD catches. He ranks No. 24 in NFL history in receptions (940) and No. 23 in receiving yards (12,721).

His number becomes the sixth retired by Washington, joining Sammy Baugh, Darrell Green, Sonny Jurgensen, Bobby Mitchell and Sean Taylor.

Monk got the news when a Washington contingent visited him at home recently. The group included managing partner Josh Harris, as well as former teammates Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders and Doug Williams.

'I've been sitting here these last few days just trying to digest it all,' Monk said.

Monk won three Super Bowls and made three Pro Bowls with Washington, was named a First-Team All-Pro in 1984 and was selected to the Hall of Fame's All-1980s team. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 2008. He also is a member of the team's Ring of Fame.

--Field Level Media

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