Darrell Green has watched Art Monk‘s annual rejection by Pro Football Hall of Fame voters in disbelief. His former teammate, who retired as the game’s leading receiver, failing to gain induction into Canton has baffled him.
Green isn’t handicapping his own chances on Saturday either after reaching the final 17 in his first year of eligibility. While taking the family to the Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., just in case he’s one of five-to-seven named, the “itty-bitty guy” who went on to become a Washington Redskins legend won’t let those whojudge him also define him.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “The reality is nobody knows what [voters] look for. You can point to people who should be in or ‘I didn’t know he would be in.’ It’s the best Hall of Fame of all because it’s so hard to get in.
“The Hall of Fame, baby. I came a long way. I’m in the finals. How bad can it be? It’s already an awesome honor to be raised to this level. It’s a no lose.”
Cris Carter seems a lock to be elected on Saturday. George Young, Gary Zimmerman and Lester Hayes appear to be front-runners. The real fighting will come over names like Paul Tagliabue, Cortez Kennedy, Andre Reed, Richard Dent and Green for the final spots.
Green seeks to join John Riggins and coach Joe Gibbs as the only Redskins from their Super Bowl era. His chances seem stronger than Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby and Monk, who are also semi-finalists.
Green was a seven-time Pro Bowler who played 20 seasons when retiring after 2002. He was the NFL’s fastest man four times and the world’s fastest athlete in 1991. It wasn’t until Green turned 40 that some teammates finally matched his 4.2 speed.
Monk reached the final 10 last year for the first time. And yet, that may have been his best shot before becoming a Veterans Committee choice. Grimm’s 11-year career is often cited as too short for induction despite making the all-1980s team. Jacoby seems an overlooked member of the Hogs.
Monk’s snub steels Green for the possibility of waiting at least another year. After all, some voters simply won’t back a first-year player in the misguided thought that only an immortal is worthy of the additional honor.
“I want to get in because it’s an incredible honor, but I’m not getting outside of myself,” Green said. “It’s fun analyzing it.”
Green turns 48 soon. His son Jared, who used to come to training camp in elementary school, now runs a 4.3 at Virginia while readying for his redshirt sophomore season.
The Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary. He’s still helping children with after-school programs long after the first students turned 30 with their own kids.
“We’re still plugging away,” Green said. “We need support like most non-profits. That’s my life, my work. The Hall of Fame is special for football, but I have a host of things to be humbly grateful for in my life.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
