Pro Football Hall of Fame

Last night saw the induction of six all-time greats into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Roger Wehrli took their place among the legends of the game. Two Offensive linemen, 1 Running Back, 1 Defensive back, 1 Tight End and 1 Wide Receiver. Their bronze busts set to be added to the hallowed halls of history.

The only thing missing was Art Monk. A wide receiver in the 1980s, Monk retired as the all-time leader in receptions. While few would doubt Irvin's qualifications for enshrinement, he doesn't compare statistically to the former Washington Redskin.

A Closer look at the statistical evidence:

Michael Irvin
159 games played 750 rec 11,904 yds 65 TD
3 Super Bowl Rings

Art Monk
224 games played 940 rec 12,721 yds 68 TD
2 Super Bowl Rings

Granted, Michael Irvin had his career cut short due to injury, but he also played most of his career in the pass happy 1990s while Monk played the majority of his career in the 1980s, before rules changes were made to thwart defensive backs.

Monk played in the NFL from 1980 - 1995. Monk still ranks 6th in All-time receptions, 11th in all-time receiving yards, 30th in all-time receiving TDs and 32nd in all-time yards from scrimmage. In addition to Irvin, Monk's contemporaries include Hall of Fame Wide Receivers Charlie Joiner (20th, 13th, 37th, 37th), Steve Largent (13th, 9th, 6th, 28th), James Lofton (19th, 3rd, 23rd, 17th) and John Stallworth (outside top-50 in receptions, 48th in rec yards, 46th in rec TDs and outside the top-50 in yards from scrimmage).

Its time Art Monk got his due, and his bust cast for enshrinement. If it isn't done soon, his impressive statistics will continue to be overshadowed by the current crop of receivers in much the same way Monk and his contemporaries statistics dwarfed those of Hall of Fame players like Crazylegs Hirsch, Fred Bilentnikoff and Don Maynard.