By Tom Rock
Just passing along some info from the Jets website. You can read the whole shebang here. Mangini didn't say whether or not Chrebet will always have a locker in the hearts of Jets fans:
The New York Jets have announced that they will honor former wide receiver Wayne Chrebet with a special halftime ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 23 when the Jets host the Miami Dolphins in the third game of the 2007 season.
“Wayne Chrebet was a one-of-a-kind player," Jets president Jay Cross said. "For 11 seasons, he represented this team with class and dignity. His skill was matched only by his big heart and his unflinching dedication to his team and the game of football. His legacy will forever inspire our players, coaches and fans. We are thrilled to celebrate his remarkable career with a special halftime ceremony."
Comments (7)
Rock, any chance they might be considering retiring his number? I can't see why not. Other than C-Mart, The Green Lantern was the only prolific player (receiver)we've had since Wesly Walker. Figuring in his tenure, performance, and how much he single-handledly put the Jets back on the map with all the #80 jerseys sold, it's the least they could do for him.
Maybe after he's inducted into Canton?
Hats off to one of the toughest, most courageous, hardest-working football players of all time. Truly an honor more than well-deserved.
Retiring Chrebet's number? Going to Canton?
That's a joke, right?
Chrebet has to be the most overrated player in Jet history. The guy had ONE 1000-yard season in 11 years. Yes, he became a credible #2 receiver despite heavy odds, but let's not get carried away. He was a nice complementary player, but that's it.
Chrebet is beloved chiefly because he's a local white guy whose "everyman" persona allowed the bakers and car mechanics to indulge their own adolescent fantasies of playing in the NFL.
Had Chrebet been black or from California or a #1 pick, he'd be an afterthought in Jet history. But because he's a little Mediterranean-looking white guy from New Jersey, people want to make him into Steve Largent.
If they're not going to retire Mo Lewis's number, how the hell can they retire Chrebet's?
I want to clarify and say that I'm not knocking what Chrebet did as a player. He became a very credible NFL receiver against very long odds, but he was never a legit #1 option, let alone a hall-of-fame caliber player.
He had an inspiring,unusually productive career for a UDFA, and he deserves a lot of credit for it, but let's keep some perspective.
Jimmy,
What a bunch of racist garbage. Chrebet was respected the same way David Meggett was respected, because in spite of the odds being against him, he made it.
Chrebet's statistics will never make you forget Jerry Rice, but he heart and his knack for making the dramatic play made him beloved, not his skin color. Give it a rest.
If refusing to ignore the obvious impact that race had on the way Chrebet was viewed is "racist," then I suppose I'm a racist. Bottom line: Chrebet was a good player but not someone who should have his number retired or (gasp!) be inducted into the HOF.
The comparison with Meggett is inapposite. No one is suggesting that Meggett either have his number retired or go to Canton.
Chrebet was a very important part of Jets history. Great hands, great on third downs, really a very solid receiver who did not play college ball at a big time (at the time)college. His talent, work ethic and desire is what I admired about him. I couldn't care less if he was purple, and neither should anyone else. I believe if he hadn't sustained those consussions, he would have continued to be a great reciever for the Jets. I don't know if he was a hall of famer, but he was certainly one of the best Jets receivers of all time.