Wayne Chrebet

Infobox NFLretired


caption=
position=Wide Receiver
number=80
birthdate=birth date and age|1973|8|14
Garfield, New Jersey
debutyear=1995
finalyear=2005
college=Hofstra
teams=
* New York Jets (1995-2005)
stat1label=Receptions
stat1value=580
stat2label=Receiving Yards
stat2value=7,365
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=41
nfl=CHR062293

Wayne Chrebet (born August 14, 1973, Garfield, New Jersey) is a former football player who played 11 seasons as a wide receiver for the New York Jets of the NFL from 1995 to 2005.

High school and college career

Chrebet is the son of a Vietnam War purple heart recipient"Every Down, Every Distance". New York: Doubleday, 1999.] and played high school football at Garfield High School in his hometown. [Hermoso, Rafael. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22475068.html "GARFIELD'S CHREBET HOPES TO IMPRESS JETS"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", May 4, 1995. Accessed December 5, 2007. "Wayne Chrebet wasn't exactly overconfident when he began his football career as a sophomore at Garfield High School."]

Chrebet played for Hofstra University, the site of the Jets’ year-round training facility. At Hofstra, Chrebet was a four-year letter-winner who twice led the Flying Dutchmen (now known as The Pride), in receiving. In addition he set the single season and career touchdown marks with 16 (1994), and 31, respectively. Also in 1994, Chrebet became Hofstra's first 1,000-yard receiver. Along the way he set a Hofstra school record with 245 receiving yards in a game against Delaware, and tying Jerry Rice for the NCAA I-AA mark with five touchdowns.

For his accomplishments at Hofstra University, Wayne Chrebet was part of the inaugural class to be inducted into the Hofstra University Athletic Hall of Fame and his jersey was retired. [http://www.hofstra.edu/Athletics/ath_newsrelease.cfm?gameID=89830929-65B3-F1F2-6825ABEA118713AF "HOFSTRA TO INDUCT 17 INTO INAUGURAL ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS THIS SATURDAY"] , Hofstra University. Accessed December 5, 2007.]

NFL

Although he was not drafted by any team at the National Football League Draft in 1995, Chrebet eventually earned a long shot walk-on opportunity with the New York Jets where he was 11th of 11 on the depth chart. Chrebet was stopped and detained at the front gate on his first day of training camp by the senior New York Jets security guard who did not believe Chrebet could actually be a football player due to his relatively small size. A New York Jets team official was summoned to verify he was an authorized walk-on and could enter the training complex. Chrebet worked his way up the depth chart from 11th to make the team and was the first Hofstra football player to make an NFL roster since John Schmitt in 1964.

In a December 3rd, 1995 game versus the St. Louis Rams, Chrebet pulled in 8 receptions and broke several tackles on a scramble toward the goal line.Pro-Football-Reference.com, http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/ChreWa00.htm] On October 19th, 1996 at Jacksonville, Chrebet hauled in 12 receptions for 162 yards with five third-down conversions. On September 24th, 2000, after former Jets teammate Keyshawn Johnson claimed that comparing Chrebet to him was like "comparing a flashlight to a star," Chrebet caught an 18-yard TD pass from Curtis Martin with 52 seconds left to give the Jets a 21-17 victory. After this, the New York media dubbed Chrebet "The Green Lantern." His primary nickname, however, was "Mr. Third Down" because 379 of his 580 career receptions were third to first down conversions.New York Jets Official Website, http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show_permalink/wayne-chrebet-announces-his-retirement] Some consider Chrebet's best overall game as the October 10th, 2004 contest with the Buffalo Bills in which Chrebet enjoyed a perfect game, catching all 8 passes sent his way from quarterback Chad Pennington in a 16-14 victory. Chrebet's career history was named one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories in the history of professional sports by Sports Illustrated later that year. [Sports Illustrated Special Edition "Sports Illustrated present Cinderella Stories", 2000.]

In a November 6, 2005 game against the San Diego Chargers, Chrebet's career ended prematurely when he sustained a serious concussion on a clean play. Despite being knocked unconscious for several minutes, Chrebet still made that third-down catch for a first down, symbolic of the type of plays he made throughout his career. Chrebet's 580 receptions ranks him 2nd and his 7,365 yards from scrimmage place him 5th all-time in the New York Jets record books. Among all-time National Football League players who were not drafted, he owns the third-most receptions in the history of the league, trailing only Rod Smith and Gary Clark.

Chrebet wore the New York Jet number 80 jersey for 11 straight seasons. During his career, he caught passes from 13 different players, played for several different head coaches, and worked for two different owners. Chrebet was formally honored by the New York Jets on "Wayne Chrebet Day" during halftime of the September 23rd, 2007 game against the Miami Dolphins. [New York Jets Official Website, http://www.newyorkjets.com/blog/posts/209-wayne-chrebet-one-more-time] Chrebet's number 80 has not been issued by the team since he retired, and it is generally understood that no Jet will wear that number in the foreseeable future.

Chrebet retired from the NFL June 2006.

Post-NFL

Chrebet now resides in Colts Neck Township, New Jersey. [ [http://www.ustrotting.com/hoofbeats/chrebet-a.htm New York wide receiver Wayne Chrebet has found a new sport to love] , "Hoof Beats", accessed January 11, 2007. " Four years ago, he [Chrebet] moved into the horse country of Colts Neck, N.J., and couldn't help but admire the equine specimens with whom he shared his neighborhood."] He currently owns and operates a restaurant, Chrebet's, in Long Island, New York, across the street from his alma mater, Hofstra University. [cite web |url=http://media.www.hofstrachronicle.com/media/storage/paper222/news/2007/03/08/Sports/Chrebets.More.Upscale.Less.Sports-2771684.shtml
title= Chrebet's More Upscale, Less Sports |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work= ]

In an interview with the Bergen Record, Chrebet stated he still feels post-concussion symptoms as a result of the multiple concussions he suffered while playing in the NFL, including headaches, lethargy, and sensitivity to light and noise. [cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDY5Mzgy
title= Chrebet welcomes new challenges |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work= ]

Awards

* 1995: New York Newsday's "Jet of the Year," as voted on by the paper's readers.
* 1996: Awarded the Dennis Byrd Award for Most Inspirational Player as voted by his New York Jet teammates.
* 1996: Hofstra University Young Alumni Award in 1996. The award was bestowed to alumni who, within 10 years of graduation, achieved significant accomplishments in professional life.
* 1997: New York Jets "Unsung Hero Award"
* 2000: DIRECTV "NFL Play of the Week" (Week 2 vs. New England for a game winning TD catch in the fourth quarter)
* 2000: DIRECTV "NFL Play of the Week" (Week 4 vs. Tampa Bay for an 18 yard TD catch with :51 seconds left in the game on an HB option from RB Curtis Martin
* 2000: Thurman Munson Award for his outstanding efforts on an off the field and in serving in the community
* 2001: New York Jets Alumni Association's "Jets Player of the Year"
* 2002: Chrebet's college jersey was retired in a ceremony at Hofstra University, New York.
* 2005: Awarded the Ed Block Courage Award.

Trivia

*Dedicated his career to his fans at his retirement ceremony.
*He ranks #2 all time in New York Jet franchise history for receptions only behind Hall of Famer Don Maynard.
*Among all-time National Football League (NFL) players who were undrafted, he owns the third-most receptions in the history of the league, he trails only Rod Smith and Gary Clark.
*The football jersey frequently worn by Michael in the film, "Elf" (2003) is that of #80 Wayne Chrebet of the New York Jets.
*Along with his #80 jersey, Chrebet was recognizable on the field by his bare hands. He was one of the only receivers to catch bare-handed at that time.
*In 1998, he teamed with WR Keyshawn Johnson to lead the league in receptions as the tandem finished with 158 receptions, 2,214 receiving yards, 14.0 yards per catch and 18 touchdowns.
*His #80 jersey ranks as one of the most popular in the history of the New York Jet franchise. Even after his retirement it is extremely common to see his jersey worn by fans at the draft in New York City, in training camp at Hofstra, and at games in the Meadowlands.
*Chrebet initially chose No. 3 as a jersey number because that is what he wore in college. Only after surprising the media and staff by working his way the depth chart and making the team did he earn the No. 80 jersey which he is famous for.
*He noted that no matter what he had to overcome in his NFL career, it always paled in comparison to the things his father had to overcome as a Purple Heart recipient in the Vietnam War.
*Before he made the New York Jet roster in 1995, the last Hofstra Flying Dutchmen to make an NFL roster was John Schmitt in 1964. In 1998, Lance Schulters entered the NFL. In 2007, Hofstra grad Marques Colston played for the New Orleans Saints.
*His 7,365 yards from scrimmage place him fifth all-time in the NYJ record books during regular season play. His 41 career touchdowns rank eighth all-time in NYJ history among scoring by non-kickers during regular season play.
*Earned his nickname "Mr. Third Down" as a clutch third down receiver, with 379 first downs receiving during regular season play.
*During his career he caught passes from 13 different players: Boomer Esiason, Bubby Brister, Glenn Foley, Frank Reich, Neil O'Donnell, Ray Lucas, Vinny Testaverde, Rick Mirer, Tom Tupa, Curtis Martin, Chad Pennington, Quincy Carter and Brooks Bollinger.
*During his career he played for several different head coaches: Rich Kotite from 1995-96, Bill Parcells from 1997-99, Al Groh in 2000, and Herman Edwards from 2001-2005. Chrebet formally retired on June 2, 2006 (under Head Coach Eric Mangini who had previously served as an assistant coach on Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick's NYJ coaching staff from 1997-1999).
*Played for two different owners: the late Mr. Leon Hess and Mr. Woody Johnson. Chrebet happily noted for the record numerous times and again at his retirement ceremony how thankful he was to both of them for the opportunities provided to him during his career as a New York Jet.
*Chrebet went on to set the NFL record for most receptions by a WR in his first two seasons.
*A photo of Chrebet, as a Hofstra wide receiver before he became famous as a member of the New York Jets, remains on display at the Hofstra University Museum in Hempstead, New York.
*For his accomplishments at Hofstra University, Chrebet was part of the inaugural class to be inducted into the Hofstra University Athletic Hall of Fame and his jersey was retired in 2002.
*He opened a restaurant right down the street from Hofstra called Chrebet's. The opening party was held on March 9, 2007.
*Chrebet's greatest playoff game was in the AFC 1998 Championship in which the New York Jets played the Denver Broncos. The Jets led in the third quarter 10-0 and appeared to be headed to the Super Bowl, but the team faltered with four crucial fumbles, two interceptions and a missed field goal. Chrebet was the top candidate as the New York Jet's game MVP with 8 receptions (led both teams), 121 yards receiving (also led both teams) and no turnovers but the Jets capsized down the stretch secondary to turnovers and an anemic Jet rushing attack of only 14 yards. The New York Jets would have played the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII had they held on, and were widely considered the favorite if they could have maintained their third quarter lead against Denver.
*A lithograph of retired New York Jet great #80 Wayne Chrebet by sports artist David Levinson hangs in New York Jet's owner Woody Johnson's office.

References

External links

* New York Jets http://www.newyorkjets.com/blog/posts/209-wayne-chrebet-one-more-time
*IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1832669/
* New York Jets http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/1607-chrebet-blessed-to-have-a-day-in-his-honor
* NYJetsFan.com http://www.nyjetsfan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=1
* [http://www.pfcritics.com/news101/ItsOverWayneChrebetRetires.php PFCritics article on retirement]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2636795&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos3 ESPN article on concussion studies and Chrebet]
* [http://www.hofstra.edu/AlumDev/Alumni/HofUpd/hofupd_sp06_athletics.cfm Hofstra Athletic Hall of Fame]