The unlikeliest of circumstances needed to take place for Wayne Chrebet to earn a roster spot on the New York Jets. But that is exactly what happened and the fan favorite will be enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime of this Monday night’s home game versus the Miami Dolphins.
The diminutive wide receiver graduated Hofstra University in 1995 and predictably went undrafted. He had a tryout with the CFL’s Baltimore Stallions (back when a number of US teams were included) but was not signed. Eventually he earned a walk-on with the Jets, who just happened to train at his alma mater.
He was last on the depth chart at the position with 10 others ahead of him. Even the equipment manager had no faith of him making the cut and Chrebet was assigned uniform number three early on. But as the summer heated up, so did the New Jersey native.
More from New York Jets
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- New York Jets: It’s Time to Move on from Sam Darnold
- How Adam Gase and Joe Judge Can Succeed in 2020
- New York Jets Still have Elite Talent in Running Back Le’Veon Bell
- New York Jets: C.J. Mosley Opts Out of 2020 NFL Season
Perhaps it was the ineptitude of the Jets’ front office and scouting department that left the roster with a paper-thin depth chart at receiver (with forgettable names such as Ryan Yarborough, Curtis Ceaser, Charles Wilson and Jeff Snyder), but Chrebet made the most of his opportunity and not only made the team, but was a starter, as well.
The 1995 Jets had a horrendous 3-13 season and owner Leon Hess’s personal choice for head coach, Rich Kotite, was the laughing stock of the league. The following season, the team drafted fellow wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson with the overall number one pick and went 1-15. Out went Kotite and in came Bill Parcells.
The team improved drastically under The Tuna and made it to the 1998 AFC Championship Game. Chrebet was a major contributor during this era and was their go-to guy on third down. But all of the hits began to take their toll on his 5’10”, 188-pound frame and his last reception – fittingly – was on third down to move the chains. But the concussion that he suffered on the play caused him to prematurely hang up his helmet.
Chrebet spoke about his relationship with the fans during a press conference this week and commented:
"They took to me right away. I guess that I represent the average Joe, the average guy. My size; where I was from. A blue-collar player. And I knew that and felt that I wanted to carry the torch."
He always endeared himself to the Jets’ faithful and regardless of what the score is at the time, MetLife Stadium will be roaring during the ceremony to honor “one of their own.”