Redskins' Monk and Green lead six into Hall of Fame

By Larry Fine

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Former Washington Redskins team mates Art Monk and Darrell Green were among six players to win election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Joining receiver Monk and cornerback Green in the August 2 induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, will be Fred Dean, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman.

The Redskins franchise enjoyed double honors as Monk, who retired in 1995, won election after a long wait while Green got in on his first year on the ballot.

Defensive end Dean split his career between the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers, linebacker Tippett starred for the New England Patriots, Zimmerman was a tackle for the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos, and Thomas was a cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs.

"Right now my heart is fluttering," Dean told reporters over a telephone hook-up in which he thanked the late 49ers coach and general manager Bill Walsh for shaping his career.

"I didn't work for this, I worked for the love of the game. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is a beautiful thing.

SENIOR CANDIDATES

The six players were chosen from 17 finalists by the Hall of Fame selection committee. Each one had to receive at least 80 percent of votes cast.

Thomas, who played from 1966-1978 for the Chiefs, was one of two senior candidates considered along with Marshall Goldberg, a back for Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cardinals.

The other five 'modern' players that were elected survived two cut-downs among 15 finalists, first to 10 and then to five.

The last five eliminated were wide receiver Cris Carter of the Minnesota Vikings; Chicago Bears' defensive end Richard Dent; guards Randall McDaniel of the Vikings and Bob Kuechenberg of the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas.

"I'm greatly honored," Monk, who waited eight years to win election, said in a conference call. "I'm humbled to receive this honor. It's just a great honor when you think of the guys who have come before us."

(Editing by Ken Ferris)