COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CALLS MONK’S NAME

NEW YORK – Following a memorable NFL career that culminated in induction to the Professional Football Hall of Fame, legendary Syracuse wide receiver Art Monk is in the spotlight again. The 1979 All-American is one of 14 players and three coaches who will be inducted into the National Football Foundation (NFF) College Football Hall of Fame.

Monk is the 18th inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame with ties to Syracuse University. The most recent inductee for Syracuse was former coach Dick MacPherson, who was honored in 2009. He also added his name to a distinguished list of Syracuse players to be enshrined in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Jim Brown, Larry Csonka and Floyd Little.

“Art Monk’s induction is another outstanding achievement in his illustrious career and life,” said Syracuse University Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. “We are so proud of Art as he continues to be a role model for so many. At the same time, Art's recognition symbolizes the extraordinary history of Syracuse football."

Of the 4.86 million individuals who have played college football since 1869, only 900 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than .0002 percent of those who have played the game during the past 143 years. To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-American, played their last year of intercollegiate football at least 10 years prior, played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. The candidate's post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.

Monk's All-America campaign in 1979 came in a 7-5 season for the Orange, capped by a 31-7 victory against McNeese State in the Independence Bowl, the first bowl game appearance for Syracuse since 1967.

A current member of the SU Board of Trustees, Monk led SU in receiving from 1977-79, and ranks in a tie for eighth on Syracuse's career receptions list (102) and eighth on the career receiving yards list (1,644). The winner of the Lambert Trophy as the top college football player in the Eastern U.S. in both his freshman and senior season, he set the Syracuse single-game record with 14 catches against Navy in 1977.

In 1980, the Washington Redskins selected Monk with the 18th overall pick in the NFL Draft. During his 16-year NFL career, Monk played 14 seasons with the Redskins before joining the New York Jets for the 1994 campaign and playing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995. Monk played for the Redskins Super Bowl XVII, Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI teams. He also won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the team in Super Bowl XVII, but did not play due to injury.

“Art Monk epitomizes the focus in our program – developing the person and then the athlete,” said Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone. “He is an accomplished business executive and community leader who excelled on the football field at Syracuse and in the National Football League. We are excited for Art and his family and appreciate all he has done for Syracuse University.”

Monk finished his 16 NFL seasons with 940 receptions for 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns, along with 332 rushing yards. Monk's most noteworthy NFL accomplishment was his record for career receptions (940), broken by Jerry Rice during the final week of 1995, Monk's last season in the league. He was the first to eclipse 900 receptions and retired with the single season receptions record (106) and the most consecutive games with a catch (183). He was named to the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team and was enshrined in the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Monk's success on the gridiron was matched by his performance off the field in founding The Good Samaritan Foundation. The foundation, based on the strong commitment of its founders to "prepare youth for leadership in the community and the workplace," provides youth with the environment needed to equip them with the skills, training and resources necessary to compete successfully in society through the Student Training Opportunity Program (STOP).

The program serves more than 50 high school students, four days a week during the school year and five days a week during the summer providing after-school programs, tutoring and mentoring. The program uses every opportunity to impart love, wisdom and a nurturing environment for these young people to explore their talents, skills and to realize their dreams.

The 2012 College Football Hall of Fame Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Class will be inducted at the 55th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 4, 2012, at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. They will be honored guests at the National Hall of Fame Salute at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on January 2, 2013 and officially enshrined in the summer of 2013.

Press release provided by SU Athletics