Wayne Chrebet Gives Hope to All
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by user Alanschech
Wayne Chrebet retired the other day from the New York Jets. A sad day in Jet land, he was one of the greatest receivers in team history. Furthermore, he was an inspiration to us all.
He was "Rudy". He was the working man's player. He entered the team as a non-drafted rookie, and went on to be one of the most feared 3rd down receivers ever. He was so undersized, Keyshawn Johnson speculated in his book if the team had a deal with Hofstra University for use of the facilities if they put players on the team. Now, years later, Johnson has played for two other teams, and Chrebet worked his way through Jets history.
He was just the hardest worker you would ever see. Always trying to get better, not blessed with the best talent on the team. What Chrebet did was give hope to all players that aren't strong enough to get big time scholarships to schools, or be drafted in the first round. He showed the league, and the country that you can do whatever you choose if you have the will.
He went out certainly the way he came in. As someone who never feared going over the middle, he sustained a concussion on his final catch of his career. I was in attendance that afternoon for Jets vs Chargers, and I don't think I have ever seen a more surreal moment in sports. The Jets were desperately trying to claw back to win the game on the back of Brooks Bollinger, and were faced with a big 3rd down play. Where do they look? Of course, Chrebet. And, of course, he makes the big catch for the first down. All the while we are cheering for the big play, the reality of the fact that Wayne wasn't moving swept over the stadium, followed by the biggest silence ever. When he was taken off the field, with the stadium chanting his name, I think we all knew that his career was over. But what a way to go.
Thanks for the memories Wayne. There may be players with more talent than you, but there will be no other that is quite like you.
Date
Thu 06/08/06, 4:55 pm EST
