New York Jets: Remembering the Career of Wayne Chrebet

Apr 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL former player

announces the thirty-ninth overall pick to the New York Jets during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight we honor one of the Jets greats. Wayne Chrebet will be placed among the Jets elite in the Ring of Honor during a ceremony at halftime. A man who would not hestitate to sacrifice his body for the good of the team, Chrebet is the guy who epitomized the now current phrase, “Play Like a Jet”.

We asked Jets fans via Twitter to provide some thoughts and memories of Wayne Chrebet, in preparation for tonight. Here is what we received:

@TheJetPress The catch from Curtis Martin against Keyshawn and the Bucs is one of them

— Brian (@One30Three) November 27, 2014

@TheJetPress I remember Chrebet getting concussed but still holding on to the ball for the catch for a First Down. “Mr. Third Down” indeed.

— Anil Ramlakhan (@elvisjets85) November 27, 2014

@TheJetPress everyone always said how he was a class act. Then I met him in Oct at a signing and he truly was. Made me proud tobe a jetsfans

— Jetssssssss (@rmasula27) November 27, 2014

@TheJetPress #Clutch He sacrificed his body for the 3rd & long…… Chrebet & Martin are my 2 favorite #Jets hands down.

— Pick em Pops (@PickEmPops) November 27, 2014

@TheJetPress scoring two TD’s vs GB in 2002 to win the afc east…

— Alan (@AlanLern) November 27, 2014

@TheJetPress I have a Chrebet collectable on my dresser. He’s catching a TD thrown to him by Pennington. ?

— starblazer (@01Starblazer) November 27, 2014

@TheJetPress assuming you mean Chrebet? Monday night miracle and the GB game in ’02

— Lee Warner (@lee_warner) November 27, 2014

I will end with a personal memory. I was at the game where Chrebet made his final catch in the NFL, on a third down late in a game against the Chargers, catching a pass from Brooks Bolinger. As always, Chrebet had to sacrifice the body, going full extension to make the grab, and earn a clutch first down.

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The crowd when from cheering, to a nervous murmur when we realized that Chrebet wasn’t moving. Then, something I have never heard before, the crowd chanted his name as he was taken off the field, “Wayne! Wayne! Wayne!…” It was a situation where we were appreciating him, and saying goodbye all at the same time. I have never been so upset leaving a game, knowing we had likely seen the end of one of the greats to ever wear the Green and White.

Wayne, you will forever be in the hearts and minds of Jets fans. Tonight, the fans in attendance get the lucky opportunity to show you. Hopefully you will read this and enjoy it as well.