The Washington Commanders announced on July 15, 2025, that they will retire the No. 81 jersey of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Art Monk during a halftime ceremony at their Week 9 game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, November 2, 2025, at Northwest Stadium. Monk, a cornerstone of the franchise’s Super Bowl era, becomes the sixth player in team history to have his number retired, joining Sammy Baugh (No. 33), Bobby Mitchell (No. 49), Sonny Jurgensen (No. 9), Sean Taylor (No. 21), and Darrell Green (No. 28).
Art Monk’s Legacy
Drafted 18th overall out of Syracuse in 1980, Monk played 14 of his 16 NFL seasons with Washington (1980-1993), finishing his career with brief stints at the New York Jets (1994) and Philadelphia Eagles (1995). He retired in 1995 as the NFL’s all-time leading receiver with 940 receptions, 12,721 yards, and 68 touchdowns, though he now ranks 24th in receptions. Monk holds Washington’s franchise records with 888 receptions, 12,026 receiving yards, and 205 games played (second-most overall). His 65 receiving touchdowns rank second in team history, and he set a then-NFL record with 106 catches in 1984. A three-time Super Bowl champion (XVII, XXII, XXVI), Monk was a 1984 First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler (1984-1986), and part of “The Posse” and “The Fun Bunch” receiving corps alongside Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders, and others. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008 alongside teammate Darrell Green and is a member of Washington’s Ring of Fame.
Career Highlights
- Franchise Records: First in receptions (888), receiving yards (12,026), and games played by an offensive player (205).
- NFL Milestones: First player to reach 900 receptions, record a touchdown in 15 consecutive seasons, and catch a pass in 183 consecutive games.
- Playoff Impact: Caught 69 passes for 1,062 yards and seven touchdowns, including a standout seven-catch, 113-yard performance in Super Bowl XXVI.
- Accolades: Unanimous All-Rookie (1980), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, three Pro Bowls, and 1984 All-Pro honors.
Monk credited teammates like Clark, Sanders, Doug Williams, Mark Rypien, and “The Hogs” offensive line for his success, emphasizing, “Football is a team sport. I can’t take all the credit; it was about us as a team.”
Ceremony and Announcement
The Commanders surprised Monk at his Florida home with a delegation including owner Josh Harris, team president Mark Clouse, and former teammates Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders, and Doug Williams. Clark told Monk, “You showed us what greatness looked like every single day with your work ethic and humility.” Harris, who called Monk his first contact after buying the franchise in 2023, underscored the honor’s significance. Monk, reflecting on the news, said, “I’ve been trying to digest it all. I just loved the game, and this is a moment that’s been a long time coming.” The ceremony coincides with the team wearing new “Super Bowl Era” throwback uniforms, honoring their 1980s-1990s glory days, which Monk embodied.
Significance and Sentiment
No Washington player has worn No. 81 since Monk’s departure in 1993, making the retirement a formality for a number long considered sacred. The move reflects the Josh Harris-led ownership’s efforts to reconnect with the franchise’s storied past, following the retirements of Green and Taylor’s numbers and the introduction of throwback uniforms. Fans and former teammates celebrated on social media, with posts calling Monk “forever legendary” and praising his understated greatness. Some noted his Hall of Fame induction was delayed due to his quiet demeanor, with Gary Clark emphasizing Monk’s dignity and impact. The November 2 game against Seattle will be a prime-time celebration of Monk’s legacy, ensuring No. 81 remains a symbol of Washington’s championship era.
