Hall of Famers Art Monk & Darrell Green

It's been an emotional day for me. Let's take a trip in the wayback machine to the 1980s. The Washington Redskins were an unstoppable football team. We had the greatest head coach in Joe Gibbs and the most talented roster of players a fan could ever hope for. Charles Mann, Doug Williams, Ricky Sanders, Brian Mitchell, Dexter Manley, Chip Lohmiller, Monte Coleman, Gary Clark, Jeff Bostic, Timmy Smith, Russ Grimm, Don Warren, the list goes on and on.

But two members of that memorable era stand out more than the others: wide receiver Art Monk (#81) and cornerback Darrell Green (#28). Today, both of them were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

In all sincerity and without hyperbole, Art Monk is my all-time favorite football player. He's been my favorite ever since I started watching Washington Redskins football and nobody has come close to being his equal. Monk's call to the Hall of Fame is way overdue. This was his eighth time on the ballot and it is shameful that he had to wait this long.

The only redeeming factor of Monk waiting this long was that he was inducted with Darrell Green, a class act in every sense of the word. The one time NFL's Fastest Man, was elected on his first ballot, and deservingly so.

To have two Redskins inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same class was so special. And to see Joe Gibbs on the dais looking on made it extraordinary. It hasn't been easy being a Redskins fan in recent years. We've had some moments, but have not shown our dominance since the early 1990s; really since Monk and Green played. Tonight was so great to don the burgundy and goldlwith pride and give thanks to these men that brought Washington, DC so much glory.

I was close to showing outward emotion, especially when Monk took to the microphone. The ovation he got truly celebrated a man that gave so much to the team, city and fans. I wish I was in Canton to express my love and appreciation along with the Redskins fans there. It was extraordinary.

Hail to the Redskins! Hail victory. Braves on the warpath. Fight for 'ol DC!

Quote of the Day:
"Just the fact that after I retired and this whole Hall of Fame thing and not making it [for several years] to see how the community really responded to that and supported me, I think that's probably the best part, for me, of my career to know that people enjoyed and respected and appreciated me more than just being an athlete, but just as a person." -Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Monk

Bruce Springsteen #4

I wasn't planning on seeing Bruce Springsteen, but I am very glad I did. My roommate Eileen was on a concert kick and had never seen the Boss live. She asked if I wanted to go, and who am I to refuse. Plus, I had never been to Giants Stadium, so why not. Here's the setlist:

Summertime Blues
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Radio Nowhere
Prove It All Night
Two Hearts
The Promised Land
Spirit In The Night
Light Of Day
Brilliant Disguise
Pretty Flamingo [Tour Premiere]
Blinded By The Light
Cadillac Ranch
Candy's Room
Night
Because The Night
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
Mary's Place
Incident On 57th Street
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
Jungleland
Born To Run
Bobby Jean
Dancing In The Dark
American Land
Jersey Girl [Tour Premiere]
Rosalita

* Brilliant Disguise is one of my favorite songs so that was a highlight. Radio Nowhere is my favorite new song of the year, so it was great to hear that live.

* I was honestly more excited to see Eileen at her first Bruce concert. She had a great time and exceeded all of her expectations.

* The show didn't start until 9:30 and the natives were definitely getting restless. But all was forgiven with the opening notes of "Summertime Blues" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out".

* Really cool to hear "Jersey Girl". It was one of those songs I never intended to hear live.

* During "Because the Night", Nils did a sommersault during his guitar solo. It's easy to forget the E Street Band are in their 50s and older.

* Bruce Springsteen has such an amazing stage presence. It's one thing to like his music and a completely different monster seeing him live. He played for over three hours and just gave his all. He really makes the effort to earn the fans money.

Quote of the Day:
"Blow away the dreams that tear you apart / Blow away the dreams that break your heart / Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted" -Bruce Springsteen, "The Promised Land"