Monk Sets NFL Reception Record

On Oct. 12, 1992, Washington Redskins’ Art Monk sets a then NFL record with career reception 820.

Monk would go on to finish his career with 940 receptions. He also put up 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns, along with 332 rushing yards.

He was the first player in NFL history to record over 102 receptions in a season, he finished with 106 during the 1984 campaign, and over 900 receptions in a career.

However, later that year, in 1992, Monk lost his all-time single season reception record to Sterling Sharpe, who finished with 108.

His most noteworthy NFL accomplishment was his record for career receptions 940, which was broken by Jerry Rice in 1995 during Monk's last season in the league.

Monk was drafted in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. During his rookie year, he was a unanimous All-Rookie selection and had 58 receptions, which was a Redskins' rookie record.

In 1984, Monk caught a then-NFL record 106 receptions for a career-best 1,372 yards.

That season, he earned team MVP honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. Monk went over the 1,000-yard mark in each of the following two seasons, becoming the first Redskins receiver to produce three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. He also became the first Redskins player to catch 70 or more passes in three consecutive seasons.

In 1989, he was part of a prolific wide receiver trio (along with Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders) nicknamed "The Posse," who became the first trio of wide receivers in NFL history to post 1,000-plus yards in the same season.

He was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. Monk also became the first player in the league to record a touchdown reception in 15 consecutive seasons as well as the only player ever to record at least 35 receptions in 15 consecutive seasons. Through the course of his 14 years with the Redskins, Monk converted nearly two-thirds of his 888 catches into first downs.

Over his career Monk was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a one time AP First-Team All-Pro selection, a one time AP Second-Team All-Pro selection, a two-time First-Team All-NFC selection, a one time Second-Team All-NFC selection a four time NFC Champion, a three-time Super Bowl Champion in XVII (17), XXII (22), XXVI (26). He was also part of the All-Rookie Team in 1980.

Monk was inducted into the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame in 1996 a year after his retirement from the NFL.

On August 2, 2008, Monk, along with fellow Washington Redskins teammate Darrell Green, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Upon his induction into the Hall of Fame, Monk received the longest standing ovation in Pro Football Hall of Fame history, lasting four minutes and four seconds when later timed by NFL Films. In 2012, Monk was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.