Art Monk

Lore & Background

The confusion regarding Art Monk and the Jets likely stems from a brief preseason stint with the New York Giants in 1989 before he was released, or perhaps a mix-up with other receivers who wore green. However, there is no historical record of him suiting up for the Jets in a regular-season contest. His story remains one of the great 'what ifs' for fans who might wish to see his talents in New York, but the canon clearly places his achievements elsewhere.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over the gridiron as Monk lined up against a defensive back, his focus absolute. He ran a perfect slant, catching the ball on the run with hands that seemed to have a magnetic pull. It was a moment of pure football poetry, but it happened in Washington or Carolina, not New York. For Jets fans, this image remains a phantom memory, a ghost of a player who almost could have been theirs.

Reader's Guide

Art Monk did not play for the New York Jets during his professional career. His tenure was exclusively with the Washington Redskins from 1980 to 1993 and the Carolina Panthers in 1994. Monk is best known for his consistency and durability, setting numerous franchise records in Washington that stood for decades. He never won a Super Bowl but was an eight-time Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro selection. His legacy with the Jets is non-existent in terms of on-field contribution. Any association is likely due to confusion with other players or his brief, unsuccessful preseason attempt with the New York Giants, not the Jets.

Did You Know?

• Art Monk was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
• He holds the Washington Redskins all-time records for receptions and receiving yards.
• Monk never played a regular-season game for the New York Jets or any other team besides Washington and Carolina.
• He is one of only two players to have more than 1,000 career catches without ever winning a Super Bowl.