Green and Monk take different roads to Canton

By Steve Ginsburg

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Former Washington Redskins Darrell Green and Art Monk took distinctly different paths toward election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

While Green was selected in his first year of eligibility, Monk waited a painful eight years to gain entry into the hallowed Canton, Ohio museum.

"Whether I deserve to have played in the NFL or deserved to even be in the Hall of Fame, I just loved the game," said Monk, who caught 940 passes during a 16-year career with Washington.

"I loved to play. I loved being out there. I loved being around the guys. I'm a little short on words right now. I guess I'm always short on words."

Many people felt Monk's quiet demeanor cost him an earlier induction. His soft-spoken disposition can sometimes be interpreted as indifference.

"I really wasn't expecting this even though I knew it was a possibility," he told a news conference.

"I'm greatly honored. I'm humbled to receive this. It's just a great honor when you think of the guys who have gone in before me."

REDSKINS CORNERSTONES

Both Green and Monk were cornerstones of the Redskins teams that won three Super Bowls in the 1980s and early 1990s.

"This is incredible, so special," said Green, a seven-times Pro Bowl selection at defensive back.

Green, one of the NFL's fastest players during his 20-year NFL career, broke down several times during his acceptance remarks.

"How did I get here?" he asked. "I walked on in the 11th grade. I was on the junior varsity in the 11th grade. I walked on at Texas A&I. No scholarship.

"I played and started one game that year and went home for a year and half because of home sickness. I went back and three years later I was drafted (by the Redskins)."

Green said he was nervous prior to the announcement.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever gone through," he said. "I didn't feel like as everyone said, 'Hey man, you're going to make it. You're a shoo-in.'