Ashburn, VA. – Following Sean Taylor’s jersey retirement in 2022, the Washington Commanders will now add another legendary number to the list of those never to be worn again.
The Commanders announced Monday that they will retire Art Monk’s iconic No. 81 during a halftime ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 2, when Washington hosts the Seattle Seahawks in a nationally televised Sunday Night Football matchup at FedExField.
Monk becomes just the sixth player in franchise history to receive the honor, joining a legendary group that includes Sammy Baugh (33), Bobby Mitchell (49), Sonny Jurgensen (9), Sean Taylor (21), and Darrell Green (28).
The ceremony will also mark the debut of the team’s highly anticipated “Super Bowl Era” throwback uniforms, bringing fans back to a time when the Redskins regularly contended for championships, with Monk playing a central role.
“Art’s career set the gold standard for what it means to be a Washington football player,” said team president Mark Clouse in a statement. “He led with humility, performed with excellence, and helped build a championship legacy that still inspires our fans today.”
Monk spent 14 seasons in Washington after being drafted in the first round in 1980 out of Syracuse. Known for his quiet demeanor and relentless consistency, Monk retired as the NFL’s all-time receptions leader, with 940 career catches — 888 of which came in Washington, still a franchise record. He also leads the team in career receiving yards with 12,026.
He was the first player in league history to record 100 receptions in a single season, finishing with 106 in 1984. Monk was a key figure in three Super Bowl championship teams: XVII, XXII, and XXVI. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
The decision to retire his number was delivered personally earlier this summer. Team owner Josh Harris, president Mark Clouse, and former teammates Doug Williams, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders surprised Monk at his Florida home to share the news. Images and video from the visit captured a rare moment of emotion from the normally reserved Hall of Famer.
“You showed us what greatness looks like every single day,” said Clark. “This is a moment that’s long, long overdue.”
The upcoming ceremony continues a broader effort by the team’s new ownership to reestablish ties with its historic roots. In recent months, the Commanders have made honoring legends a visible priority, from redesigned uniforms to community outreach, and now, this formal tribute to one of the team’s all-time greats.
The game against Seattle is set to kick off in prime time on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, with Monk’s jersey retirement expected to be a central highlight of the evening.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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