Steve Smith Sr.
Career Stats: 219 games played (198 starts), 1,031 receptions, 14,731 yards, 81 TD
If it hadn’t been for an Achilles tear at the age of 38, the future Hall of Famer may have played until he was 40. Smith, a top wideout for many years, established that height isn’t the most important factor in a receiver’s game. The veteran Panther was always carrying a chip on his shoulder. He could evade opponents with his swift feet or sprint right through them because he desired it more. Despite his small stature of 5-foot-9, Smith was an all-time outstanding chain mover with a knack for converting third downs. Smith returned to the NFL one year after losing his leg and led the league in all major receiving statistics – 103 receptions, 1,563 yards, and 12 touchdowns. During that season, Smith personified perseverance, grit, and toughness.
Steve Smith Sr.
Art Monk
Career Stats: 224 games played (194 starts), 940 receptions, 12,721 yards, 68 TD
Covering Monk was a nightmare for defensive backs in the 1980s. Monk, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound wideout, outran DBs on his way to the touchdown zone with his physique and natural quickness. The former Washington Redskin got physical during the assault. He would frighten inferior players in the red zone by boxing them out like a basketball player going for a rebound. Monk was the polar opposite of a receiver; he didn’t speak much s**t and preferred to block. Monk may have been moved to tight end given his skill set, but he was simply too good an athlete to stay within the numbers. The three-time Super Bowl champion and future Pro Football Hall of Famer was a phenomenal athlete.
Art Monk
