By Ken Berger
I was chatting with Wayne Chrebet during training camp a couple of years back when he turned the tables on me.
He asked me a question for a change.
"How long have you been doing this?" he asked.
I explained that I've been covering the Jets since the 2000 season, and he shook his head, as if to say, "Time flies ..."
"Wow, you missed it," Chrebet said. "I used to be good before you got here."
True, I had left my native Long Island and was off covering SEC football and the Cleveland Indians when Chrebet famously walked across the street from the Hofstra campus, made the Jets as an undrafted free agent, and began carving out one of the most remarkable careers in the team's history.
But he still gave me plenty of memories, plenty to write about. I was in the press box the night he helped the Jets erase a 23-point deficit in a 40-37 OT victory over the Dolphins -- the "Monday Night Miracle." I was in the press box in Tampa, staring straight down into the corner of the end zone where Chrebet caught Curtis Martin's game-winning TD pass against the Bucs that same season.
I was also in the press box for each of Chrebet's frightening concussions in recent years, and I have to say one of my saddest moments covering sports was watching Chrebet sit helplessly at his locker after his final concussion last season against San Diego. A man who could somehow always find a way to get open, who could take a hit from players outweighing him by 70 pounds and still hold onto the ball, couldn't even undress himself. I knew that was the end.
But the end officially came today, when Chrebet announced what everyone knew for months he would announce. His retirement leaves a void in the Jets' locker room and in a league that still has too many self-promoters and too many egotists who believe playing in the NFL is their right. Chrebet never believed that. Yesterday, I could see that he was still just happy that he made the team back in 1995.
I'll leave you with a list I've put together of Chrebet's five most memorable moments. Feel free to comment, offer suggestions, or slap me around for leaving something out. It won't change the fact that I feel lucky to have watched him play as long as I did -- even though I missed the best part of the story, the beginning.
Here goes:
1) Oct. 23, 2000 vs. Miami: In the famous “Monday Night Miracle” game, Chrebet had two touchdowns, including a 24-yarder from Vinny Testaverde that tied the score at 30-30 and capped the Jets’ comeback from a 30-7 deficit. Chrebet then set up John Hall’s game-winning 40-yard field goal in overtime with a 28-yard catch as the Jets won, 40-37.
2) Oct. 13, 1996 at Jacksonville: In a 21-17 loss, one of 15 losses that season under Rich Kotite, Chrebet had 12 receptions for 162 yards and five third-down conversions – all career highs.
3) Dec. 29, 2002 vs. Green Bay: In the game Chrebet describes as his most memorable, he had three receptions for 37 yards and two touchdowns as the Jets blew out the Packers, 42-17, and clinched their first AFC East title since 1998 after starting the season 1-4.
4) Nov. 15, 1998 at Indianapolis: In a 24-23 loss, the last game the Jets lost before the AFC Championship Game in Denver, Chrebet had four receptions for 112 yards including a 63-yard touchdown from Testaverde. It was the longest touchdown of Chrebet’s career and also the longest first-down conversion (second-and-29).
5) Dec. 15, 2000 at Chicago (in Champaign, Ill.): On his 500th career reception, a 22-yard catch-and-run from Chad Pennington, Chrebet tried to hurdle a defender near the goal line and lost a fumble, seemingly costing the Jets a shot at the playoffs with a 20-13 loss. They rallied to win their final two games and won the AFC East.
Comments (18)
Hey Berger, I remember being at the game against the Packers when the Jets won and clinched the divison. It was one of my favorite games to be at and I remember watching #80. Jet games just won't be the same not seeing him out there coming down with a big 3rd down reception.
berger you left out the most famous cherebet moment. and that of course is the survival of keyshawn johnson. little wayne stood up for himself against the number 1 pick and he survived while keyshawn got traded away.
a class act.
unlike you.
One of Wayne's greatest highlights has to be catching that halfback option from C Mart to beat the Bucs (and Keyshawn Johnson)in 2000.
If all NFL players were as selfless and deticated to their teams and the sport as Wayne was ,what a league it would be.Has anyone ever hear Wayne complain of anything during his career as a N.Y.Jet. He deserves a public send off that is fitting of his career.
I met Wayne last summer at Jets camp. I told him that he inspired me as a person and an athlete. I am a quadriplegic with only the use of my neck and one finger and play a competitive wheelchair sport called Indoor Wheelchair Soccer. It is physical and strategic as well.
In my powerchair, I must cover fast, nearly able-bodied athletes with leg amputations or spinal cord injuries that leave their upper bodies with normal strength and blazing speed. At 48, given a lifespan of 12-18 years, I'm entering my 15th season in this traveling national sport and was voted 1st team all-star last season by my peers, most of whom are half my age. Am I the best player at my position in the league? no, but i'll take on any player and never give an inch. I am respected and tenacious. Wayne taught me that.
I am also a Hofstra alum and was a beat writer, I covered games when Wayne played and had many conversations about him with Coach Gardi. We knew that Wayne was a throwback player that had an attitude that no longer exhisted in our current generation of the "I, not we" pampered sports hero mentality.
Because of Wayne, I found the confidence to try out for my team and am now one of the elderstatesmen and a technical advisor to the sports national body and sit on the board of directors of our non profit disabled sports org. All of my achievements in disabled sports and in my professional career as a journalist and website designer,I dedicate to #80, Wayne Chrebet, the one person who never gave up and never gave in.
He taught me that anything is possible if you want it bad enough and dedicate yourself to the goal.
He had a hard time understanding how a severly disabled person with my seemingly insurmountable obstacles could be inspired by a wealthy athlete who never had to face what I have to live with every day. Then I explained that I was a stubborn person who hated being told I couldn't achieve something because I was different; then he understood.
I have been a Jets fan since 1966, and no player has had the impact on my life that Wayne has. Because of him I realize that everything is possible. He provided hope to me without even knowing me personally.
The Jets should retire his number and give us a chance to thank him and say farewell properly.
That is a touching story Brian. Thank you for posting it.
I thought you might be interested to know that the very generous Boomer Esiason directed his daughter in creating a piece of very cool art on a ceramic tile. It is currently being auctioned on eBay to benefit the Bangor Symphony Orchestra in Maine. The easiest way to get there is through bangorsymphony.com and click on the auction link. It lasts through Sunday, June 25 at 6 pm EDT.
I, too, am a huge Chrebet fan. And that means the entire family. My brother-in-law met Wayne's parents when they went to the theatre. He told them how much I loved their son. A couple weeks later he received a photograph that read " Diane- Thank you for being a fan Best Wishes Wayne Chrebet 80 NYJ" Class act the whole family. Thank you all!
U WERE 1 OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS I THINK
lets go jets
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